The 10 Children’s Books You Need to Create Lifelong Book Lovers
August 9 is the unofficial holiday Book Lovers Day, which encourages folks to pick up a book (or three) and spend the day reading. Rioters like you and me never need an excuse to spend the day reading, because we can be found reading ALL OF THE BOOKS on any day ending in “Y.” Not only do we love reading books starring books, we love reading books about libraries and bookstores, and we definitely love reading books featuring fellow book lovers, especially when they are young readers discovering and celebrating the joys of books.
Today, we have curated a short list of children’s books that is sure to delight the small bibliophiles in your life, as well as inspire the tiny tykes who may be resistant to the book life.
Let’s inspire the next generation of book lovers!
Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day by Pat Mora and Rafael López (Illustrator)
No matter where you go and no matter what you do, make sure you bring along your favorite book! In both English and Spanish, Book Fiesta! shares the joys of books and reading in various settings around the world.
Bunny’s Book Club by Annie Silvestro and Tatjana Mai-Wyss (Illustrator)
Inspire kids to start their own book club with the book-loving bunny who sneaks into the town’s library and borrows books for all his friends to keep the joys of summer story time going when the weather gets cold.
Calvin Can’t Fly: The Story of a Bookworm Birdie by Jennifer Berne and Keith Bendis (Illustrator)
Sometimes being a bookworm can help you be the hero! While his siblings and cousins are learning to fly, Calvin is burying his beak in a book and reading about fascinating things. When it’s time to migrate, Calvin can’t fly, but can he save the day when they come across a hurricane that Calvin learned about in a book?
How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
Make reading fun and plant the seeds of book love: Rocket learns how to read on his own with the help of his teacher, a little yellow bird.
I Will Not Read This Book by Cece Meng and Joy Ang (Illustrator)
Turn a reluctant reader into a book lover! The little boy in this story will not read this book, and no one can make him. However, he might be convinced, if someone he loves will read the book with him.
Let Me Finish! by Minh Lê and Isabel Roxas (Illustrator)
This is the perfect book for the reader whose motto is “Please Do Not Disturb!” like the young hero in this story. He just wants to finish his book without a bunch of noisy animals ruining the end of the story, but maybe he should have listened to the animals after all.
Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp
It’s fun to read when you’re not afraid of making mistakes: Madeline learns this lesson when she meets Bonnie, the library dog. Madeline does not like to read, but reading out loud to Bonnie isn’t that bad.
Miss Brooks Loves Books! (And I Don’t) by Barbara Bottner and Michael Emberley (Illustrator)
Sometimes it takes time to find the right book, and Miss Brooks knows from experience. Miss Brooks helps the class find books they love in the library, but Missy dismisses them all. Miss Brooks is determined to find the perfect book for Missy, which is none other than Shrek!, the tale of a repulsive green ogre in search of a revolting bride.
Surf’s Up by Kwame Alexander and Daniel Miyares (Illustrator)
Because there is nothing boring about books: Bro and Dude are two frog friends who have different ideas about what makes for a fun day at the beach. Dude is all about surfing, while Bro likes to bury his head in a good book. Although Dude proclaims “books are boring,” he becomes increasingly interested in Bro’s book about a man looking for a whale.
Where Are My Books? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
What is happening to Spencer’s books? Spencer loves to read a book every night, but one morning his favorite book goes missing. The next morning another book is missing. When Spencer discovers where his books have gone, he devises a delightful solution.
Not enough children’s books for you? Fret not, we have you covered:
Children’s Books That Adults Will Love, Too
Must Read Children’s Books Set in New York City
Great Children’s Books for Adventurous Kids
