It's perfectly fine and normal for kids to have different reading levels and interests -- and it's important for the adults in their life to grow the love of reading by honoring their reading choices.
However, if you're looking for help in identifying a book that is a perfect fit for your child, feel free to ask your librarians or try the 5 Finger Rule: Open the book to a full page of text. Read the page to yourself. Every time you come across a word you don’t know, hold up a finger. If you hold up 5 fingers before the end of the page, you should find another book. If you hold up 4 fingers or less, the book is right for you!
Take a look at some of our favorite books that typically work for ages birth–3!
Simple, active text and classic Eric Carle illustrations help the reader guide Baby Bear through his day, and specially designed activities encourage fine motor skills. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
Everyone has kisses for Baby, from Mami and Papi to perro and gato. Using simple Spanish words, this charming read-aloud proves that love is the same in every language! Recommended for ages Birth–3.
Putting on her construction hat, a young girl uses her imagination as she builds a doghouse, a bridge, and a skyscraper. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
Terrance the turtle hatches, missing something important—a shell. His parents assure him he is "so much more than just a shell," and give him a substitute. When another turtle points out that Terrance's shell is, well, weird, he begins to wonder whether there might be a better shell out there. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
Chicken has fallen out of Farmer's truck! He can't possibly get himself all the way home, or can he? Recommended for ages 3-5.
One by one, five little ducks wander away from their mother until her lonely quack brings them all waddling back. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
Bold illustrations encourage the reader to follow the movements of various animals in this fun, interactive picture book. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
There are LOTS of fun things to count in this book: whales, baboons, rainbows, pyramids . . Just remember one rule. You must ONLY ever count to ONE. So don't even about THINK bigger numbers. OK?! Recommended for ages 2-4.
Come along with these babies and toddlers with Down syndrome as they discover their world and enjoy new experiences. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
Following along as a small boy wanders around a farm. Guess who he might meet next! Recommended for ages Birth–3.
Count your kisses with baby in this delightful dual-language rhyming board book, written in English and Plains Cree. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
Soft-textured illustrations emphasize quiet relaxation and the loving connection between parent and child. Perfect for establishing nighttime routines. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
Toddlers will love playing and laughing along with the diverse families featured on each spread, as they learn the names of their body parts. . Recommended for ages Birth–3.
Follow a lovable T. Rex throughout its day as it plays peekaboo with a tiny dinosaur friend. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
In this photographic concept book, babies and toddlers are introduced to the PRIDE flag and the meaning behind each color. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
The reader follows a parade of colorful animals, where the animal on one page is chasing the tail of the animal on the next. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
Die-cut grooves invite small fingers to follow the snake through the town. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
Around the world, little ones are carried in many different ways: in slings, on shoulders, in backpacks, on hips, in baskets, and in loving arms. Up! depicts ten places around the world, from Afghanistan to northern Canada, Peru to West Africa. In each place, a mom, dad, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or sibling lovingly carries a baby. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
New babies will love focusing on the high contrast black and white illustrations, while you talk about each object of this book. Recommended for ages birth–3.
This board book shows babies and the ones they love. Recommended for ages Birth–3.