These reads are keepers based on my own very unscientific personal research, and simply because my children loved them. Some books are sweet, with a lovely message about imagination and generosity. Others you treasure for their theme (of inclusiveness or kindness), or for their illustrations (oh, the charming illustrations), or for their magical powers. Some I would naturally be drawn to and others I would not, but despite my own personal sentiment towards these reads, this list is made up of books that are ultimately some of the most-read books in my house.
Once upon a time, long before touchscreens and clicking, there were flap books and flipping! And let me tell you, people—kids can’t flip enough. Sounds silly and, well, to some adults may even sound a bit, dare I say, boring. I don’t know, maybe you’re thinking, my kid will never go for this. But, trust me, and give it a try! I’m telling you from experience, if you talk up the element of surprise and pour into that toddler confidence by delegating the “big” responsibility of flipping the flap, then she is sure to at least give it a try. I don’t know what it is about the lift-the-flap books—probably some combination of the size (usually big!), and the eye-catching illustrations (usually life-like!) but they sure are a favored genre in our household.
Next up are books that include phrases in a second language. Many of ours at home include phrases in Spanish to encourage our little ones to keep the R’s rolling and the language developing. This choice category always makes for a colorful and fun reading time. Another favored genre is the sing-a-long book. I call them sing-a-long books because of their beautifully composed singsong nature. I am a complete sucker for these, and needless to say, my children are, too. As an aside, I feel compelled to share that several popular children’s classics did not make it to my list but only because, again, based on my own very unscientific personal research, these books listed are the ones that keep my little ones turning and turning and turning the pages, and asking to read them “again, again, again!”
This tiny compilation is officially and finally a list because of the endless hours shared among my little family sitting down altogether to read, role play, pretend, sing, and dance all while being together. How could anyone simply not call the opportunity to be together their best? For me, time together is the absolute best, and any book that has potential to do that—I’m going to read to my children. Check them out for yourself, my top twenty of twenty-eighteen gift books for kids! Enjoy!
1.) Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
2.) Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry
3.) The Little School Bus by Margery Cuyler and Bob Kolar
4.) Nora’s Stars by Satomi Ichikawa
5.) Abuela by Arthur Dorros
6.) Uni the Unicorn by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Brigette Barrager
7.) Princesses Wear Pants by Savannah Guthrie and Allison Oppenheim
8.) Lift the Flap Questions & Answers by Marie-Eve Tremblay Katie Daynes
9.) Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
10.) When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner
11.) Tabbed Board Books: My First Colors: Let’s Learn Them All! by DK
12.) Toes, Ears, & Nose! A Lift-the-Flap Book by Marion Dane Bauer
13.) Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Siteby Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld
14.) First Picture Word Book in Spanish (Spanish and English Edition) by Jo Litchfield and Howard Allman
15.) Do Crocs Kiss? (A Lift-the-Flap Book) by Salina Yoon
16.) Big Rig by Jamie A. Swenson and Ned Young
17.) Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman
18.) First 100 Trucks and Things That Go Lift-the-Flap: Over 50 Fun Flaps to Lift and Learn by Roger Priddy
19.) Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
20.) Indestructibles:Baby Faces by Amy Pixton and Kate Merritt
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