I am at the library today picking out books to read to my three and five year old sons, and I smile with fondness at the wonderful memories of reading my favorite story books to my older two boys when they were these ages. We also found several new ones along the way that my boys will grow up remembering as their favorites.
So I decided to make a list of our own personal favorite picture books. Having a favorite book as a child and then reading that book as an adult is like finding a long lost treasured friend. Maybe your child will find a new favorite book on this list too.
1. Yes Day!
http://www.amazon.com/Yes-Day-Amy-Krouse-Rosenthal/dp/0061152595
2. Lyle, The Crocodile
http://www.amazon.com/Lyle-Crocodile/dp/0395137209
3. Corduroy
http://www.amazon.com/Corduroy-Don-Freeman/dp/0140501738
4. Rattletrap Car
http://www.amazon.com/Rattletrap-Car-Phyllis-Root/dp/0763620076
5. Duck and Goose
http://www.amazon.com/Duck-Goose-Tad-Hills/dp/037583611X
6. Frog and Toad
http://www.amazon.com/Frog-Toad-Friends-Arnold-Lobel/dp/0064440206#
7. Curious George
http://www.amazon.com/Curious-George-H-A-Rey/dp/039515023X
8. Amelia Bedelia
http://www.amazon.com/Amelia-Bedelia-Peggy-Parish/dp/0062209698
9. The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy
http://www.amazon.com/The-Puppy-Who-Wanted-Boy/dp/006052698X
10. Dr. Suess ABC
http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Seusss-ABC-Amazing-Alphabet/dp/0679882812
11. Winnie The Pooh
http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Tales-Winnie-Pooh/dp/0525457232
12. Mr. Putter and Tabby
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0152010602/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_11?
refRID=1PHQCNDPJ9J6MSK0TT8Z
13. Tales of Oliver Pig
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0140365494/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_3?
refRID=0F60KXCWRQN6C96EFST4
14. Duck for President
http://www.amazon.com/President-Times-Illustrated-Childrens-Awards/dp/0689863772
15. Little Critter
http://www.amazon.com/Just-You-Little-Critter-Look-Look/dp/030711838X
16. Berenstein Bears
http://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Berenstain-Bears-Stan/dp/0375842144
17. The Full Belly Bowl
http://www.amazon.com/Full-Belly-Bowl-Jim-Aylesworth/dp/0689810334
18. The Monster at the End of this book
http://www.amazon.com/The-Monster-End-This-Book/dp/0307010856
19. Pokey Little Puppy
http://www.amazon.com/Poky-Little-Puppy-Golden-Classic/dp/0307021343
20. Maybe a Bear ate It
http://www.amazon.com/Maybe-A-Bear-Ate-It/dp/043992961X
21. Love You Forever
http://www.amazon.com/Love-You-Forever-Robert-Munsch/dp/0920668372
22. Caps For Sale
http://www.amazon.com/Caps-Sale-Peddler-Monkeys-Business/dp/0064431436
23. Katy and the Big Snow
http://www.amazon.com/Katy-Big-Snow-Vol-2/dp/0395185629
24. Make Way for the Highway
http://www.amazon.com/Make-Highway-Little-Golden-310-45/dp/0307031055
25. Make way for Ducklings
http://www.amazon.com/Make-Way-Ducklings-Robert-McCloskey/dp/0140564349
26. If you give a mouse a Cookie
http://www.amazon.com/If-You-Give-Mouse-Cookie/dp/0060245867
27. Are You My Mother?
http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Bright-Early-Board-Books/dp/0679890475
28. The Biggest Nose
http://www.amazon.com/The-Biggest-Nose-Kathy-Caple/dp/0395479436
29. Richard Scarry
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0375825495/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_5?refRID=0JRKFMPNK24X3CBJSFM9
30. Franklin the Turtle
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=franklin+turtle+books&tag=mh0b-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid=2012349792&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_884ne4wpod_e
31. Happy Birthday, Moon
http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Birthday-Moon-Moonbear-Frank/dp/0689835442
32. Clifford the Big Red Dog
http://www.amazon.com/Clifford-The-Big-Red-Dog/dp/0545215781
33. The Rise and Fall of Old Ben Gizzard
http://www.amazon.com/The-Rise-Fall-Ben-Gizzard/dp/0316489034
34. George and Martha
http://www.amazon.com/George-Martha-Complete-Stories-Collectors/dp/0618891951
35. Wizard and Wart
http://www.amazon.com/Wizard-Wart-Can-Read-Book/dp/0064442012
37. Peter Rabbit
http://www.amazon.com/Tale-Peter-Rabbit-Beatrix-Potter/dp/1414506414
38. A Bargain For Francis
http://www.amazon.com/Bargain-Frances-Read-Picture-Book/sim/0694012955/2
39. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
http://www.amazon.com/Cloudy-With-Chance-Meatballs-Barrett/dp/0689707495
40. Seedling and Sprout
http://www.amazon.com/Splish-Splash-Splat-Seedling-Growing/dp/B003D7JZ62
There are so many great books it was really hard to narrow the list down. I also didn't include our favorite children's poetry books, or chapter books for older readers. That list will hopefully be on the blog later. The really great news is most or all of these books can usually be found at your local library. Let me know if any of these books are already your favorites in the comments below!
