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It’s bedtime and with that comes our favorite part of the day, cuddling up with our favorite bedtime story! How often when you sit down to read does your child bring you their favorite book, which happens to be the one you read yesterday? And the day before that and the day before that? Never, I’m sure! 🙂
When I ran the storytime program at our local museum, one of the first things I did when introducing a new story was ask who had read it before. I loved hearing,
“That’s my favorite!” or “My Mommy told me.”
But the best was when I picked a story they had never heard of and gave them a chance to love it!
Now that I’m staying home with our little Lady, I decided to try and bring the same opportunity to fall in love with a new book to you and your little ones!
Keep reading to see what are our current (you know it changes all the time!) top 10 favorite kid picture books. We hope you love these as much as we do
Harry the Dirty Dog – Gene Zion
Harry is a white dog with black spots that does NOT like bath time. He knows it’s much more fun to play in the dirt! So off he goes on an adventure sliding down a coal chute and so much more all to avoid a bath that becomes more needed as the day goes on.
Published back in 1956, Harry the Dirty Dog is an oldie but goodie. (Really a greatie but that doesn’t rhyme so goodie it is!) You can tell the illustrations are an older style and they show things that a kid nowadays may not see in their everyday life which is kind of fun! This will probably always be one of my favorite books.
Clink – Kelly DiPucchio
This story follows the loveable robot Clink who is talented at making burnt toast and playing old static-filled music. He wants someone to buy him, but no one seems to want an old broken-down robot. A great story that shows the right person will love us for who we are.
Smitten by David Gordon
I bought this one during the last few weeks of being pregnant with Lady! Emotions running wild, I just had to have this tale about two unlikely friends facing the big city together in search of each other’s “mate.” Facing off dogs and subway cars, they come to find a friendship neither one expected.
The Memoirs of A Goldfish by Devin Scillian
The chaos of a family-filled home is rampant in this story about a Goldfish who just wants the predictable life of his own fishbowl back. But as creature after creature joins the fishbowl, he comes to realize that maybe there is a little joy and love in the middle of the madness.
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Chrysanthemum loved her name. It was just perfect! She loved everything about it, that is until she started school. After the other kids laugh and point out how unique her name is, Chrysanthemum wishes it was different. Luckily, the kids met their music teacher who teaches them the value of being unique.
I love this book! It has such a great lesson and reminder that kids look up to and often model their behavior after adults they trust. (Golly, no pressure, right?!)
Click Clack Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
Farmer Brown’s cows find an old typewriter in the barn and decide they have some requests from the poor farmer. What ensues next is a fun letter battle between the farmer and his animals delivered by the ever helpful duck. Will Farmer Brown ever have a peaceful farm again?
It seems like anytime I read this book to groups, the parents come in already loving it and the kids just have no idea what a typewriter is. 🙂 This book inspired a whole series based on these crazy animals!
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Corduroy is a loveable little bear in green overalls that lives in the department store. One day a little girl asks her mother for Corduroy. Noticing he’s missing a button on his overalls, she says no. Concerned he’s missing a button, Corduroy sets off to find it, landing himself in a few scrapes along the way.
This is a feel good story that’ll make your little one want to cuddle up with their favorite stuffed animal!
Papa Loves You, Tiny Blue by Jo Empson
Has your kid hit the has a question about everything phase yet? (I asked questions nonstop as a kid. Luckily my Dad always encouraged my questions so I’ve never stopped learning!)
This book is perfect for kids who ask the random questions. It follows a baby penguin as he wonders about the world around him, luckily his Dad is right there to protect him and answer the questions he comes up with. I just love the parting thought of this book….”How do you know you love me? I just do, Tiny Blue. I just do.”
And The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
Another childhood favorite of mine. A sweet Mother makes a batch of Grandma’s famous cookies and tells her children they can split them. But then guess what happens? The doorbell rings and in comes friends who also happen to love Grandma’s cookies. Again and again, this happens until finally the kids are left with a big decision.
I always remember wondering what would I do as the doorbell rang the final time. (I probably would have eaten them all 🤫)
Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens
After his unfortunate race with the tortoise, Hare had to sell his land to Bear and now has no way to feed his family. Luckily, he and Mrs. Hare are able to come up with a plan and Hare approaches Bear (who is quite lazy) with a business proposition for the season’s harvest. The only thing Bear has to do is decide if he wants Tops or Bottoms.
This book is right up there with The Little Red Hen. Such a delightful way of teaching that if you want something, you need to be willing to work for it!
We’re always on the lookout for new favorite kids picture books so drop a comment with storybooks that you love that we can discover!
