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!
Staff Picks: Ages 0-3
Compiled by:
Ginny H.
(Juvenile Board Book -- Baby Book)
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.
(Juvenile Picture Book -- Ej Pat)
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.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Ma)
A rollicking rhyme with colorful pictures by Eric Carle introduces familiar animals in a predicable chain story. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
(Juvenile Board Book -- Baby Book)
Rhyming text and flaps reveal a variety of wild animals and the sounds they make, including snakes, bears, and lions. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
(Juvenile Picture Books Nonfiction - Ej 398.8 Ba)
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.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Ca)
Bold illustrations encourage the reader to follow the movements of various animals in this fun, interactive picture book. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Ra)
A sleepy zookeeper is followed home by all the animals he thinks he has left behind in the zoo. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
(Juvenile Board Book -- Baby Book)
Come along with these babies and toddlers with Down syndrome as they discover their world and enjoy new experiences. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Wi)
Following along as a small boy wanders around a farm. Guess who he might meet next! Recommended for ages Birth–3.
(Juvenile Board Book -- Baby Book)
Count your kisses with baby in this delightful dual-language rhyming board book, written in English and Plains Cree. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
(Juvenile Board Book -- Baby Book)
A child identifies and puts on underwear, a shirt, pants, and socks in order to go outside and play. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Fl)
While two kittens copy everything their mother does, their brother naps. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
(Juvenile Board Book -- Baby Book)
Animal sounds and serious silliness for all ages. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
(Juvenile Picture Book -- Ej Cab)
Join Kitty in a game of peek-a-boo, and see who's hiding behind cut-out holes. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
(Juvenile Board Book -- Baby Book)
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.
(Juvenile Board Book -- Baby Book)
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.
(Juvenile Board Book -- Baby Book)
Die-cut grooves invite small fingers to follow the snake through the town. Recommended for ages Birth–3.
(Juvenile Board Book -- Baby Book)
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.
(Juvenile Board Book -- Baby Book)
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.
(Juvenile Board Book -- Baby Book)
This board book shows babies and the ones they love. Recommended for ages Birth–3.