There are so many children's books to choose from, so how do you know which ones are right for your child? Use these tips to pick a book you and your child can enjoy together. 

For Infants (up to 18 months)

Try Books from These Lists

Books for Infants and Toddlers

Tips for Reading to Infants

Infants like to touch books and are learning to interact with books. They like books with books with: 

• Nursery rhymes and fingerplays
• Simple, high-contrast pictures
• Predictable patterns and repeated words
• Pictures of babies and everyday objects
• Board books that can be easily cleaned
• Interactive books with fold-out pages or flaps
• Cloth or soft vinyl books
• Books with handles
• Books you can sing
• Animal sounds

For Toddlers (1-2 years old)

Try Books from These Lists

Books for Infants and Toddlers

Cars and Trucks

Libraries and Reading

Tips for Reading to Toddlers

• Simple plots and illustrations
• Playful words and rhyming text
• Stories relating to real life featuring everyday objects
• Familiar characters, such as animals, children, TV characters, or adults in familiar roles
• Books that label objects
• Books about bugs and "backyard" nature
• Books that invite your child to participate in the story
• 1-2 lines of text per page
• Large, colorful pictures

For Preschoolers (3-5 years old) 

Try Books from These Lists

Books for Preschoolers

Celebrating Diversity

Tips for Reading to Preschoolers

• Short paragraphs on each page
• More elaborate plots and illustrations
• Folktales and fairy tales
• Factual books about the natural world
• Short picture book biographies
• Picture books without words
• Poetry and song books
• ABCs, Shapes, Numbers
• Books that invite your child to participate in the story