January is a wonderful time to curl up with a great book and nurture your child’s love for reading. At our daycare, we believe in the power of books to inspire curiosity, foster imagination, and support early childhood education. To help you make story time extra special this month, we’ve curated a list of fantastic books for different age groups—perfect for any age child!
Books for Ages 0-2 Years:
At this stage, children thrive on colorful visuals, rhythmic text, and interactive elements.
“Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
A classic with repetitive, rhythmic text and vibrant illustrations that captivate young minds. Reading the same stories over and over builds brain pathways for the future.
“Where’s Spot?” by Eric Hill
An interactive lift-the-flap book that invites babies and toddlers to join in the search for Spot the dog. Take the time to let your child find and lift the flaps while you build their vocabulary by naming what is found.
“Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney
A heartwarming story about the bond between Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare, perfect for soothing bedtime routines. Talk about things your child does that you love.
Books for Ages 3-5 Years:
Preschoolers love stories that spark their imagination and encourage learning through themes of adventure, friendship, and discovery.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle
A delightful tale that introduces counting, days of the week, and the concept of transformation.
“We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
A rhythmic adventure that gets preschoolers engaged with movement and sounds. Also, great to get up and do the motions when the wiggles take over.
“Stuck” by Oliver Jeffers
A hilarious story about a boy whose kite gets stuck in a tree—and all the silly things he throws to try and get it down. See if your child has some problem solving ideas of their own before you reach the end of the book.
Books for Ages 5-6 Years:
For kindergarten-aged children, stories with more complex plots, relatable characters, and opportunities for learning are ideal.
“The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
A humorous book that encourages creativity and problem-solving as the crayons express their feelings about how they are used.
“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Numeroff
A playful cause-and-effect story that sparks imagination and laughter.
“Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss
A motivational classic that inspires young readers to dream big and embrace new adventures.
Why Reading Together Matters
Reading with your child is not only a way to bond but also an essential part of early childhood education. It supports language development, improves attention spans, and introduces children to new ideas and concepts. Don’t worry if your child is not read to sit and read a mountain of books at the beginning. A love of reading takes time, routine and a good book.
Make it Interactive: Encourage your child to point to pictures, repeat phrases, or predict what happens next.
Set a Routine: Establish a regular storytime, whether it’s before bed or during quiet moments in the day.
Choose Books They Love: Let your child pick books that spark their interest, even if it means reading the same one over and over!
We hope these recommendations inspire meaningful moments with your children this March. Reading together not only enhances their education but also creates memories that last a lifetime. Happy reading!