1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a nationwide initiative to encourage reading to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. To learn more about how to start the program, visit the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten page on our website. It can be daunting to try to find books that your child will love. The following book recommendations are meant to highlight newer, seasonal, and books you might have missed in the collection that are high interest and appropriate for different developmental ages. For more book recommendations, check out RPL’s Bookologist service and our Storytime at Home blog series.

Babies (0-18 months)

Whose Baby Is This? By Radka Piro

A fun lift the flap adventure for you and your baby to wander through different outdoor settings and see different animals and their habitats.

Find Spot at the Market by Eric Hill

In this colorful book with a familiar character, have fun lifting the flap to help find Spot and all his groceries.

Toddlers (18 months-3 years)

Papa Doesn’t Do Anything! by Jimmy Fallon

It’s always funny what kids think adults do verses what they actually do. In this silly story one pup thinks his dad doesn’t do anything when in fact he does a whole lot. Your kid will have a good giggle when the Papa pup shows baby pup all the cool things he does.

Cats Love Books, Too and Dogs Love Books, Too by Maria Coco

A great look into the way kids love animals and how reading is really for everyone-even our pets!

Elvis and Romeo by David Soman and Jacky Davis

A fun and creative example of opposites and how different personalities react to different settings.

Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer by Kenard Pak

A great way to explain the seasonal transition from Spring to Summer using conversations with nature in this beautifully illustrated book.

Preschoolers (3-5)

Fire Pups to the Rescue by Lisa Desimini

Travel along with the 4 newest pups at the station as they learn how to be the best firehouse dogs around! This book with easy sight words for kids who are just starting to read is a great way to learn about firehouses and fire safety.

Something’s wrong! A bear, a hare, and some underwear by Jory John

I love everything that Jory John does and having a bear in underwear is always funny! Help Bear figure out what he forgot, and get help from his best friend, who shows him how to be as supportive as his underwear.

Giraffe’s Book is Missing A Story by DK Ryland

In this fun and interactive book have fun creating your own story along with the characters in the book. This book encourages you along the way to be creative and either blow or tilt the book to move the story along.

On the Last day of School by Maggie C. Rudd

In this rhyming story celebrate getting through the school year. Reflect on all you’ve accomplished and how much you have grown. This is a great way to celebrate the start of summer and get ready for the fun ahead!