Reading has always been very important to me. One of my favorite things to do is to get lost in a book and let it whisk me away into the story. When I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, I knew I wanted to introduce books to her from the very beginning. I bought an extensive collection of board books early in my pregnancy and I'd read one to my daughter every single night while I was pregnant. It was my little way of bonding with her before she was born.
The tradition of a bedtime story continued from the day she was born. Although she was still too young to understand, I'd sit down with her each night and read a book to her. As she grew older, the collection in her library got bigger. She started to interact with the books. She'd sit in my lap and lift the flaps, help me turn the pages, and even help me “read” some of her favorites that we'd read hundreds of times before.
I'm not the only one who has seen the benefits of reading to our baby from a young age. There is science to prove just how beneficial it is. According to a study conducted by Dominic Massaro, a professor emeritus in psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, reading stories aloud to your little ones will introduce them to an extensive vocabulary. While we know that talking to our children helps them learn words, the study found that reading aloud is more effective on increasing their vocabulary. The study revealed picture books we read to our little ones are two to three times as likely as the conversations that we have with our child to include a word that is not contained in the 5,000 most common English words.
Reading to our children from an early age helps our children become better language users and also helps facilitate their learning to read, according to Massaro. He also emphasized the importance of letting our children help turn the pages to keep their interest in the book.
While we know the science says it's beneficial for language and brain development of our child, it's also a fun way to bond with our child. If you're looking to expand your child's library, introduce them to the love of reading with books you read as a child. Here are 10 classic children's books that will bring you back to your childhood as you read them to your baby.
Pat the Bunny
by Dorothy Kunhardt
For over 75 years, babies have loved this touch-and-feel book. Pat the Bunny is a wonderful first book for your baby. The simple messaging, bold words, and fun illustrations encourage engagement and allows your baby to play along as you read through the book.
The Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack Keats
A book that was first published in 1962 and broke the color barrier for mainstream publishing. This classic children's rel="noopener noreferrer" book won the Caldecott Medal in 1963, a medal given to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. A lovely story that shows the adventure of a little boy on a cold and snowy day. The bright colors and delightful illustrations make this the perfect book to cuddle up and read with your little one on a cold and snowy day.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
No matter how old you are, you'll marvel in the beauty of the metamorphosis of a butterfly. This classic children's book shows a lighthearted story of one caterpillar's journey of becoming a beautiful butterfly. Let your little one watch as the caterpillar eats through the pages in this book and through all of the bright and colorful foods.
The Poky Little Puppy
by Janette Sebring Lowrey
Everyone remembers the classic Little Golden Books that you had on your bookshelf growing up. The Poky Little Puppy was part of the original collection published in 1942 and is still a best seller for children. Your baby will love seeing the puppies throughout the pages as they go on their adventures out in the wide, wide world. They watch and wonder as the other little puppies look everywhere for that poky little puppy.
Ten, Nine, Eight
by Molly Bang
Countdown to bedtime with this brightly colored book. While taking a trip away from her daughter for the very first time, Bang originally wrote this as a poem for her daughter Monika. It wasn't until years later, in 1983, that she had the idea to publish it into a book. Ten, Nine, Eight is the perfect book to get your little one ready for bedtime. They'll love the rhyming words and the bold illustrations. A great way to learn numbers and create a calm and peaceful environment before it's time to go to bed.
Goodnight Moon
by Margaret Wise Brown
A book that many of us can recite by memory, Goodnight Moon is a classic bedtime story. Take your child through a brightly colored room as they say goodnight to so many things throughout the room and then finishing with the bright white moon. This is a book you'll want to pass down for generations to come.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
by Bill Martin, Jr.
Meet us at the top of the coconut tree with this fun and interactive book. You'll love to make this book into a song as you read your way through. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is the perfect book to introduce your little one to the alphabet. Watch as the letters make their way up to the top of the coconut tree one after the other until you make your way through the entire alphabet.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin, Jr.
The first children's book artist Eric Carle illustrated and subsequently launched his historical career in children's literature from. Bill Martin Jr. has a way with words in his books, and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is another one that you'll love to sing along to as you read your way through. Watch as your child marvels at the blue horse, the yellow duck, and the red bird. Big pictures, bright colors, and bold words make this book a must-have for your collection.
Corduroy
by Don Freeman
Beloved by children for more than 40 years, Corduroy shares the story of a lovable stuffed bear who comes alive to find his missing button and a forever home. If your child has a stuffed animal they love and adore, they will delight in this story of a little girl finding her very own teddy bear to love and cherish forever. The details and the colors of the illustrations on the pages of this book will delight even the littlest one.
Dear Zoo
by Ron Campbell
For over 35 years, this classic children's lift the flap book has been telling the story of a child looking for the perfect pet. Watch as the little one writes to the zoo to tell them to send him the perfect pet and your little one lift each flap to see what they send him each time. Will the child finally get sent the perfect pet? Find rel="noopener noreferrer" out when you read Dear Zoo.
About Lauren Jimeson
Mom of three Harlan (8), Avery (5) and Macks (3), experienced Freelance Writer, Publicist, and Social Media Consultant. Her work has been featured nationally in online, print, and television media. Lauren is passionate about sharing her experiences as a mom and everything in between.
