Totally agree with you about what makes kid books good. My kids also loved Richard Scarry and we had so many books about trucks. "Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site" is one I remember fondly. When my son was older I remember reading a book about a lighthouse ("Hello Lighthouse!") over and over and over...
Now they are too old to want to be read to. I really miss those days!
YES. I didn't think much about what made a good children's book till my baby became obsessed with Sandra Boynton. He hadn't even said his first word before he was showing a clear preference for Barnyard Dance over other books. I keep trying to find more stuff in that vein and largely failing.
Sandra Boynton is SO GOOD. She’s unparalleled. The “Where Is My Hat” books are fun but maybe for older kids… ditto Mo Williams with his “pigeon drive the bus” series… but she’s hard to beat :D
Aside from the two kinds of books listed, there's a secret third kind made up of wholesome but imo utterly tasteless books that are meant to appeal to parents but which I can't see having any appeal to the kids being read to whatsoever.
Also thank you so much for sharing this! I've been flagging a little bit on reading to my one year old, and though we started off strong with Sandra Boynton, I've had a hard time actually appreciating most of the books and I'm not sure she's been enjoying them either. Now I know it's because I'm literally not being silly or dramatic enough. That part I can fix today!
Wow this is the best comment ever to read! I’m so glad you got some useful value out of it. Honestly, I felt so dumb when I read those speech therapy books, but it makes sense: you have to put on a performance for them! Happy reading!!
I have a 10 month old whose only just started really attending to books and our latest huge hit is "Little Blue Truck". It rhymes and has vehicles AND farm animals with plenty of sounds for both.
I saw all the furore over Mac's comment and thought jesus, these people don't even understand comic hyperbole. No wonder there are so many terrible books
100%. I'm a children's school librarian and I also said, "He's absolutely right" upon reading his book. I loved it. When you read aloud to kids for a living, it's so rewarding when you find authors who get kids. My least favorite books are the ones that try to offload adult anxieties about the state of the world into the minds of small kids. Let them have a wonder-filled reading childhood so they are equipped to handle problems imaginatively when they are old enough to be empowered to do so!! Love Mac Barnett's books-- he writes for kids all the way up to 12 (and of course, adults who love kids books). Always funny and/or thought-provoking. You'll be on to Piggy & Gerald before you know it! Don't miss the British answer to Sandra Boynton: Julia Donaldson. Gruffalo is a modern classic!! PS-my now 29yo had a speech delay. Keep on reading! :)
You brought to mind a wonderful memory of reading aloud an English folktale as a child called “Master of all Masters” that I later read to my nieces and nephews who found it equally hilarious due to the silly word salad which is the whole (and only) point of the story
The version I had was from a collection by Joseph Jacobs (1890) called English Fairy Tales but apparently a later fully illustrated version was published in the 70’s that you might love because it features a cat on the cover (several outlets sell used copies)
I feel like I can say the whole thing by heart. The cow says moo, the sheep says bah, 3 singings pigs say la la la, no no, you say, that isn’t right, the pigs say oink all day and night, rhinoceroses snort and snuff, and little dogs go ruff ruff ruff, some other dogs go bow bow bow, and cats and kittens say meow, something something the horse says neigh… it’s quiet now what do you say?
ok not perfect but wow she knows how to stick in your head
I always give books for baby and kid birthday gifts. You get so many clothes and toys but IMHO a kid can never have enough books. And it gives the parents some variety. Plus I love having a reason to go to the bookstore and look at kids books. Sorry you aren't having luck with getting books from the public library. I know and respect some really wonderful children's librarians, and they can be so helpful at recommending books that will be a hit with your particular kid and their interests or challenges. It's been a few years, but favorites around here were the "No David" books, "Knuffle Bunny" ( a great one for different voices) and anything by Mo Willems, classics such as "Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel," and "Blueberries for Sal." Caldecott award winners are always good choices too: https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/caldecott-medal-honors-to-present.pdf
Thank you!! I should be clear, the librarians were good, it’s just that the books I wanted were too popular and not available. I do love Caldecott winners, thanks for the recommendations and I can’t wait to check them out
My kids loved the books that had recurring things to spot on the pages (the mouse in Goodnight Moon, the bird in Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site)
My oldest was obsessed with books. He’d read anything, including some books that I feel like weren’t very good. My daughter who is a toddler now theoretically likes books in that she’s always bringing them to you, but the only one she can actually sit through is the book with all the faces of our family that my wife made
Tumble Bumble by Felicia Bond was a huge favorite with my kids, along with the Mr McGee books by Chris Van Dusen! So glad to hear Max is now a book lover 😊
“Trains: Steaming! Pulling! Huffing!” had both my children in a vice grip. We don’t read a lot of books in English at home, not until minority languages are solidly acquired, but for this book I make an exception. The art is mixed media with gouache and weird collages. And the meter is what makes it untranslatable; it can be read to the rhythm of a chugging train. The only danger as the reader is to start too fast!
Totally agree with you about what makes kid books good. My kids also loved Richard Scarry and we had so many books about trucks. "Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site" is one I remember fondly. When my son was older I remember reading a book about a lighthouse ("Hello Lighthouse!") over and over and over...
Now they are too old to want to be read to. I really miss those days!
It’s such a sweet way to connect with the kids
YES. I didn't think much about what made a good children's book till my baby became obsessed with Sandra Boynton. He hadn't even said his first word before he was showing a clear preference for Barnyard Dance over other books. I keep trying to find more stuff in that vein and largely failing.
Sandra Boynton is SO GOOD. She’s unparalleled. The “Where Is My Hat” books are fun but maybe for older kids… ditto Mo Williams with his “pigeon drive the bus” series… but she’s hard to beat :D
Aside from the two kinds of books listed, there's a secret third kind made up of wholesome but imo utterly tasteless books that are meant to appeal to parents but which I can't see having any appeal to the kids being read to whatsoever.
Also thank you so much for sharing this! I've been flagging a little bit on reading to my one year old, and though we started off strong with Sandra Boynton, I've had a hard time actually appreciating most of the books and I'm not sure she's been enjoying them either. Now I know it's because I'm literally not being silly or dramatic enough. That part I can fix today!
Wow this is the best comment ever to read! I’m so glad you got some useful value out of it. Honestly, I felt so dumb when I read those speech therapy books, but it makes sense: you have to put on a performance for them! Happy reading!!
I have a 10 month old whose only just started really attending to books and our latest huge hit is "Little Blue Truck". It rhymes and has vehicles AND farm animals with plenty of sounds for both.
We just got that as a third birthday present!! It’s SO GOOD. Another author that really understands kids. The illustrations are very charming too
It's really some sort of platonic ideal of a toddler book.
I saw all the furore over Mac's comment and thought jesus, these people don't even understand comic hyperbole. No wonder there are so many terrible books
Ha! Spot-on.
Cynically I imagine some of them are maybe trying to drum up controversy so they can get publicity for their own children’s books
100%. I'm a children's school librarian and I also said, "He's absolutely right" upon reading his book. I loved it. When you read aloud to kids for a living, it's so rewarding when you find authors who get kids. My least favorite books are the ones that try to offload adult anxieties about the state of the world into the minds of small kids. Let them have a wonder-filled reading childhood so they are equipped to handle problems imaginatively when they are old enough to be empowered to do so!! Love Mac Barnett's books-- he writes for kids all the way up to 12 (and of course, adults who love kids books). Always funny and/or thought-provoking. You'll be on to Piggy & Gerald before you know it! Don't miss the British answer to Sandra Boynton: Julia Donaldson. Gruffalo is a modern classic!! PS-my now 29yo had a speech delay. Keep on reading! :)
You brought to mind a wonderful memory of reading aloud an English folktale as a child called “Master of all Masters” that I later read to my nieces and nephews who found it equally hilarious due to the silly word salad which is the whole (and only) point of the story
The version I had was from a collection by Joseph Jacobs (1890) called English Fairy Tales but apparently a later fully illustrated version was published in the 70’s that you might love because it features a cat on the cover (several outlets sell used copies)
https://www.google.com/search?q=master+of+all.masters+full+text+illustrated&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS908US913&oq=master+of+all.masters+full+text+illustrated+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigATIHCAUQABjvBTIHCAYQABjvBdIBCTIzNDE1ajBqNKgCAbACAeIDBBgBIF8&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#lfId=ChxjMe&sbfbu=1&pi=master%20of%20all.masters%20full%20text%20illustrated
What fun!! It’s great to know there have been silly stories for kids being made since forever. Kids are eternally kids
Omg my toddler won't go down for her nap until I recite Moo Baa La La La for her 🤣
I feel like I can say the whole thing by heart. The cow says moo, the sheep says bah, 3 singings pigs say la la la, no no, you say, that isn’t right, the pigs say oink all day and night, rhinoceroses snort and snuff, and little dogs go ruff ruff ruff, some other dogs go bow bow bow, and cats and kittens say meow, something something the horse says neigh… it’s quiet now what do you say?
ok not perfect but wow she knows how to stick in your head
oh it’s QUACK SAYS THE DUCK
The Knight Owl books? Phenomenal. So clever, so funny, surprising and delightful every time.
Also, all the books by Julia Donaldson. The Gruffalo is one of the all-time best.
I always give books for baby and kid birthday gifts. You get so many clothes and toys but IMHO a kid can never have enough books. And it gives the parents some variety. Plus I love having a reason to go to the bookstore and look at kids books. Sorry you aren't having luck with getting books from the public library. I know and respect some really wonderful children's librarians, and they can be so helpful at recommending books that will be a hit with your particular kid and their interests or challenges. It's been a few years, but favorites around here were the "No David" books, "Knuffle Bunny" ( a great one for different voices) and anything by Mo Willems, classics such as "Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel," and "Blueberries for Sal." Caldecott award winners are always good choices too: https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/caldecott-medal-honors-to-present.pdf
Thank you!! I should be clear, the librarians were good, it’s just that the books I wanted were too popular and not available. I do love Caldecott winners, thanks for the recommendations and I can’t wait to check them out
My kids loved the books that had recurring things to spot on the pages (the mouse in Goodnight Moon, the bird in Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site)
That’s something really nice about Richard Scarry, there’s goldbug hiding on every page….
My oldest was obsessed with books. He’d read anything, including some books that I feel like weren’t very good. My daughter who is a toddler now theoretically likes books in that she’s always bringing them to you, but the only one she can actually sit through is the book with all the faces of our family that my wife made
Having a book with the family faces on it is such a treasure. I need to order another one of those
Yeah, we made one for my son and he loved it, but we made an updated one for the toddler and she’s obsessed, it’s wonderful
Tumble Bumble by Felicia Bond was a huge favorite with my kids, along with the Mr McGee books by Chris Van Dusen! So glad to hear Max is now a book lover 😊
Thank you!!! Will check these out!!
“Trains: Steaming! Pulling! Huffing!” had both my children in a vice grip. We don’t read a lot of books in English at home, not until minority languages are solidly acquired, but for this book I make an exception. The art is mixed media with gouache and weird collages. And the meter is what makes it untranslatable; it can be read to the rhythm of a chugging train. The only danger as the reader is to start too fast!
Wonderful, just put in a request at the library! Nothing better than a good read-aloud