My sweet girl is turning 2this month. How time flies!
I wanted to take time to focus on some of her favorite books at the moment. Some of these have been favorites of hers for a while (Don’t Push The Button, Sheep On A Jeep) and others are new favorites! Some I can’t help wish she’ll grow out of soon (Green Eggs and Ham) and others are favorites of mine (I Want My Hat Back).
Enjoy her list!
There’s something so much fun about being told NOT to push something and then doing it anyway! I’m not sure if this is really what I want to teach my daughter (haha) but she gets so much joy and laughter from Larry and pushing that darn button. Especially when we shake the book. It’s interactive and loads of fun. Even as a baby, she pointed and asked for it. I’ve read it so many times, I’ve memorized it.
…came down the road. Beep!
So this story is one of those all time favorites that I can’t really be mad at reading. We have read it over a million times, not exaggerating, one right after the other. My daughter loves the animal sounds, the rhyme scheme and most of all, the perfect rhythm. We have all the Little Blue Truck books but this one is by far her favorite. The pictures of the animals make it fun for her to recite their sounds. Ultimately, it’s a story about helping others out and friendship. Also, the Christmas one is super cute!
by Dr. Seuss
I’m not gonna lie. While I love the story of Green Eggs and Ham, even from when I was young, this book is going to kill me. I have read the entire thing multiple times in one sitting (which is crazy when the book is 1. long and 2. repeats itself every two pages). It’s really an exercise of patience on my part, but admittedly, my daughter loves the rhyme and the pictures. She loves how the main character changes his mind about green eggs and ham and once we’re done, we have to read it again. Then again, it’s still my favorite Dr. Seuss book. I can’t imagine reading The Cat In The Hat that many times. (Thankfully, neither can my daughter)
Emma: A Baby Lit Emotions Primer
by Jennifer Adams
This book goes through each of the characters in Emma by Jane Austen and assigns them an emotion. I love the pure whimsy of the beautiful illustrations and the delicate attention to detail of each emotion. My favorite might be Mr. Knightly who is loved. Or it could be Miss Fairfax…
If you’re a lover of Austen, as I am, this is a fun little introduction to the characters. Best of all, it helps teach my daughter emotions. I’m a big believer in getting her to identify and talk about her feelings so this book helps!
By Steven Anthony
I’ll admit I know quite a few people like this grumpy Panda! His grumpiness is his charm. Mr. Panda goes around to his friends asking if they want a donut, but sadly when they say they do, he does not give them one! (It could have something to do with the fact none of them say please!) It’s a fun tale of being polite and thankful, with beautiful illustrations and fun conversations.
That Mr. Panda!
by Philipp Winterberg, Nadja Wichmann , Laurence Wuillemin
Honestly, I’ve been really wanting my daughter to be open to learning different languages. (I was awful at Spanish and while I try very hard to learn French, language is not one of my strengths.) This book is so so so beautiful. I love the illustrations that are whimsical and playful. There are a lot of funny looking new creatures that appear as Tamia goes on her way asking if she is big? or too big? or small? or too small? (She is just right!)
I don’t speak French well but the words are simple and it’s easy to sound them out. My daughter loves the sound of this language and she is so happy pointing to the illustrations and animals on each page.
by Nancy E. Shaw, Margot Apple (Illustrator)
My dear friend’s mother sent this to us when our baby was born. She lovingly told us that she had read it to my friend when he was a baby boy and oh, she was so right! My daughter adores this book for the rhymes but also because she is loves the fun illustrations. (a sheep knitting? but of course!)
I enjoy reading the story for its fun rhymes and fast pace. And also for the somewhat sad outcome of their poor jeep, that they carelessly left after they crashed it. Some sheep never learn.
by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
My nephew is super obsessed with The Gruffalo so of course, my daughter is as well. Not only do we have Gruffalo pajamas (I transported them from England the last time I was there) but she is obsessed with watching the short animated film on Netflix. (I have to admit, it is very charming.)
The Gruffalo is the story of a very very smart mouse, a lot of animals who want to eat the mouse, and a Gruffalo. What’s a Gruffalo? Why, didn’t you know? 😉
Read it to find out.
by Peter Brown
Oh Mr. Tiger!
He was so busy trying to be proper, he eventually went wild! This book has lovely illustrations and a very nice message about being true to who you are. I love Peter Brown books. The art is so welcoming and inviting, sharp and clean lines and very beautiful coloring. The story is perfect if you have a toddler like me who is obsessed with animals!
by Jon Klassen
Poor Bear has lost his hat! If only he could find the animal who stole it!
This story makes me laugh. It’s great fun with gorgeous illustrations (Klaussen is one of my favorite artists and writers) perfect for kids but also with a little bite to it perfect for adults. Honestly, this might be one of MY favorite kids books! My daughter loves the story, and is still a little mystified about what happened to the bunny. Sadly, I am not. 😉
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
What a fun list. Also, I think that’s Vietnamese written under the French title of that one book.