So, I am stepping out on a limb and trying something new in light of our Coronavirus Pandemic as people have been asking for ideas to do with their toddlers and for book suggestions. It's pretty rare that I blog about personal things on my photography blog, but I think it's about time and I know my clients appreciate it. Over the next few months, as things are being shifted around, I will try to blog about recommended books for kids, things to do with kids at home, things that are helpful to add to your baby registry, and the like. These are just things that I have personally learned from life experience and from others that have gone before me. I hope you find these suggestions helpful and PLEASE leave comments below (so we can learn from each other). I will try to update this list as I hear of new things! Enjoy!
TOPICAL BOOKS
Alphabet:
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
Alphablock by Christopher Franceschelli
A B See by Elizabeth Doyle
All the Awake Animals are Almost Asleep by Crescent Dragonwagon
Llama Llama Loves to Read by Anna Dewdney
Around the World:
I Just Want to Say Goodnight by Rachel Isadora
Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown
The Water Princess by Susan Verde
This Is the Way We Go to School: A Book About Children Around the Wolrd by Edith Baer
Art:
The Dot by Peter Reynolds
Clive and His Art by Jessica Spanyol
Cooking:
Pizza Day
Curious George Makes Pancakes by Margret Rey
Tony's Bread by Tomie dePaola
Dinosaurs and Dragons:
Rosa loves Dinosaurs by Jessica Spanyol
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Ruben
Diversity of Life in the US and Embracing Difference
Rosa's Wish
Psalm Twenty-Three by Tim Ladwig (Christian)
Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Pena
Yoko (Asian Food at School)
Last Stop on Market Street
Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
The Elmer Series
Farm Animals:
Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Friendship:
Making a Friend by Tammi Sauer
Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World by Margret Ray
Peep and Ducky
Wet Hen by Molly Coxe
Henry and Mudge Series (Only Child and Dog)
Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Finding Kindness by Deborah Underwood
Miss Fannie’s Hat by Jan Karon
Numbers:
Countablock by Christopher Franceschelli
Sports:
Rosa Plays Ball by Jessica Spanyol
Soccer in Brazil
Maisy Plays Soccer
Tools:
Tap Tap Bang Bang by Emma Garcia
Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too by Anna Dewdney
Vehicles (Cars, Trucks, and Constructions):
Choo Choo, Mabelle the Cabel Car, and Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
Rosa loves Cars by Jessica Spanyol
Toot Toot Beep Beep by Emma Garcia
Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia
Chugga Chugga Choo Choo by Emma Garcia
Little Blue Truck
The Little Engine That Could
Little Excavator
Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Dushkey Rinker
Digger, Dozer, Dumper by Hope Vestergaard
Freight Train by Donald Crews
BEDTIME
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
I Just Want to Say Goodnight by Rachel Isadora (also an "Around The World" book)
The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Dushkey Rinker (also a Vehicle book)
Sleepy Bears by Mem Fox
SEASONS
Springtime Books:
Raindrop Plop
Peep and Ducky Rainy Day
Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms by Julia Rawlinson
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carte
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
Goose and Pig and the First Day of Spring by Rebecca Bond
Summertime Books:
Jamberry by Bruce Degan
At the Beach by Anne Rockwell
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
Fall time Books:
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert
Apple Farmer Annie by Annie Wellington
Hiking Day by Anne Rockwell
Wintertime Books:
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
Fletcher and the Snowflake Christmas by Julia Rawlinson
The Mitten by Jan Brett
The Snowy Nap by Jan Brett
ACTIVITY/FLAP BOOKS
Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Rod Campbell
Maisy's Big Book of Words
Maisy's Big Book of Learning
Very First Book of Things to Spot: Out and About by Usborne Books
P is for Potty (Sesame Street Lift-the-Flaps) by Naomi Kleinbery
LIFE CHANGES/FIRST EXPERIENCES
Losing a Tooth:
One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey
Moving:
The Littlest Family's Big Day by Emily Winfield Martin
Girl Moves with Kat
Building a House
New Sibling Books:
Peter's Chair by Ezra Jack Keats
What Baby Needs
I'm a Big Sister/Big Sister
Overnight at Grandparents:
Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa by Anna Dewdney
Anne and Snowball
Plane Ride:
Maisy Goes on a Plane by Lucy Cousins
Potty Training:
Potty by Leslie Patricelli
P is for Potty (Sesame Street Lift-the-Flaps) by Naomi Kleinbery
Daniel Goes to the Potty by Maggie Testa
Preschool:
Stanley's School by William Bee
Llama Llama Loves to Read by Anna Dewdney
Ming goes to School (with her grandad)
Swimming Lessons:
Maisy Learns to Swim by Lucy Cousins
Llama Llama Learns to Swim by Anna Dewdney
Song Books
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands by Kadir Nelson
Over in the Meadow
What a Wonderful World
We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
Other Toddler Favorites and Classics
Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
Lentil by Robert McCloskey
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
Corduroy AND A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Are You My Mother by
Lucky Ducklings by Eva Moore
The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin
Ada Twist, Scientist; Iggy Peck, Architect; ETC. Series (all in the same class) by Andrea Beaty
A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats
Go Dogs Go
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Five Little Monkeys
Knuffle Bunny
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Note: I also recommend getting Highlights and Ranger Rick Magazines for Kids