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For me personally, I really feel that investing in children’s board books is so worth it. We’ve read them countless times — over and over again — and honestly, I’ve probably memorized half of them by heart. When my kids were around two to four years old, they would often ask me to read the same story several times in one sitting. And even though I could probably recite Dear Zoo or Brown Bear, Brown Bear in my sleep, I never got tired of it.
I’ve been reading to my kids since they were babies, and honestly, it’s still my favorite way to spend time with them. There’s just something so special about snuggling up together with a storybook — watching their little faces light up, pointing at the pictures, and exploring all those beautiful children’s books. Some have those touch-and-feel textures, others make fun noises (the famous “noisy books” that every parent knows!).
It’s always been our calm, happy routine — the best way to unwind before bedtime. Even now, my son is 11 and my daughter is 7, and we still curl up together for story time. They can read perfectly well on their own, but they still love when I read to them — and honestly, I love it too.
I still keep a big basket of board books at home, even though they’ve technically outgrown them. Those short toddler books — the kind you can finish in 10 minutes or less — are perfect for bedtime snuggles. Chapter books sound like a great idea, but reading them aloud? Let’s just say, after 10 minutes, my throat’s dry, my voice is fading, and the cozy moment has officially turned into a mini workout. Trust me on this one!
So yes — the sweet, short, colorful stories are still our go-to. The touch-and-feel ones, the noisy ones, the ones we’ve read a hundred times but still make us smile. These little board books will stay in my library forever. They brighten up the house and make it feel alive. Plus, they’re perfect when friends visit with small kids — instant entertainment! And one day, I know these same books will make their way into the hands of my future grandchildren. 💛
📘 Our Favorite Board Books for Ages 0–4
If you’re looking for some lovely storybooks to start or grow your own collection, here are a few highly recommended board books that babies and toddlers absolutely adore — great for bedtime snuggles, travel, or thoughtful gifts:
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell – A timeless classic with flaps that toddlers love lifting again and again.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle – Simple, rhythmic, and colorful — perfect for early readers.
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney – A sweet, tender story about love between parent and child — perfect for bedtime cuddles.
That’s Not My Puppy (Usborne Touchy-Feely Series) – Perfect for tiny hands to explore different textures and sensory play.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle – Bright, engaging, and a fun way to introduce counting and days of the week.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault – A lively alphabet rhyme with bold, colorful illustrations that toddlers can’t resist chanting along to.
Llama Llama Little Library by Anna Dewdney – A charming set of short stories about everyday toddler moments — sweet, relatable, and just the right length for bedtime or quiet time.
Never Touch a Dinosaur by Rosie Greening – A playful, textured favorite with bumpy silicone touches and silly rhymes — kids love running their fingers over the “scaly” pages while giggling through the story.
Poke-A-Dot: What’s Your Favorite Color? by Melissa & Doug – A super-interactive color book where little fingers can “pop” dots on each page — perfect for curious toddlers who love hands-on fun.
Noisy Farm (Includes 6 Sounds and an On/Off Switch on the Back Cover!) – A fun, interactive sound book that brings farm animals to life — little ones will love pressing the buttons and hearing each animal’s sound (and parents will love that there’s an off switch!).
Little Green Boxed Set of Bright and Early Board Books: Fox in Socks and More by Dr. Seuss – A cheerful mini-collection of Dr. Seuss favorites filled with bouncy rhymes, silly tongue-twisters, and colorful illustrations — perfect for introducing rhythm and word play.
Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill – An adorable lift-the-flap favorite that never gets old.
Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton – Hilarious animal sounds and silly fun that make reading out loud a joy.
Baby Touch and Feel: Animals by DK – Great for introducing textures, animals, and early vocabulary.
Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden – Short, playful, and full of surprises — a guaranteed giggle every time.
These are the books that make story time magical — short, interactive, and full of warmth. They’re the kind of books that grow with your family and never truly get old.
