Kids' Reading List: Classics for Infants to Age 2

Recommended by the American Library Association

I Heard a Little Baa by Elizabeth McLeod

I Heard a Little Baa
By Elizabeth MacLeod; illustrated by Louise Phillips

This lively rhyming book gives readers a chance to practice animal sounds, identify animals and guess what animal is coming up next.

Kids Can, 1998. ISBN: 9781550744965.

Mr. Gumpy's Outing
By John Burningham; illustrated by the author

On a perfect summer day, Mr. Gumpy decides to take a ride on the river in his small boat. First he adds a boy and girl, and then an array of animals until the goat's kick causes a cumulative effect and everyone lands in the water. The book ends with a tea party for all.

Holt, 1971. ISBN: 9780805007084

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
By Eric Carle; illustrated by the author

A very hungry caterpillar works his way through holes cut into the pages as he eats a variety of food, spins his cocoon, and emerges as a beautiful butterfly.

Collins, 1979. ISBN: 9780529007759

Pat the Bunny
By Dorothy Kunhardt

The classic touch-and-feel book in which a boy and girl experience the world around them by patting a bunny, looking in a mirror, smelling flowers and touching Daddy's scratchy face.

Golden Books, 1940. ISBN: 9780307120007

Goodnight Moon
By Margaret Wise Brown; illustrated by Clement Hurd

A young rabbit says goodnight to everything in his room before bedtime in this milestone cozy book.

HarperFestival, 1947. ISBN: 9780694003617

Moo Baa La La La
By Sandra Boynton

The animals in this rhyming board book demonstrate the very different and amusing sounds that they make. The humor is just right for toddlers.

Little Simon, 1982. ISBN: 9780671449018

Clap Hands
By Helen Oxenbury

Clap hands, dance and spin, open wide and pop it in. Sweet babies go through various rhymed activities in this delightful board book.

Little Simon, 1987. ISBN: 9780689819841

Spots, Feathers and Curly Tails
By Nancy Tafuri

Who does that curly tail belong to? What animal has black-and-white spots? Just turn the page to reveal the familiar farm animals that match the verbal and visual clues. Bold, bright pictures make this a guessing game just right for the youngest book and animal lovers.

Greenwillow, 1988. ISBN: 9780688075361

Try more books for infants up to 2 years old.

* 2010 addition

Published 08/08/2008