Introducing English as a first or second language to your little ones can be quite a task. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best books that can make this journey easier and enjoyable. Not only will these visually appealing books add charm to your living room, but they are also a better investment in your child’s cognitive development than screen time!
For 0-1 Year Olds
‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Nursery Rhymes’ by Roger Priddy
One of the most effective ways to introduce a child to the English language is through the delightful rhythm of sounds and music. These nursery rhymes by Roger Priddy are a great starting point. They can help children learn the cadence and rhythm of the English language, much like learning to listen to a new melody.
- Recommendation: Keep an eye out for a new baby box set of nursery rhymes, expected to launch in September. This set comes with a CD and a plush toy. It is an appealing way to make learning interactive and fun.
‘Colors and Shapes’ by DK Publishing
This book employs vibrant images, straightforward text, and engaging “I spy” games to introduce your little one to the world. It equips children with basic vocabulary related to colors and shapes in a playful and interactive way. The use of vivid illustrations not only attracts babies but also helps in the reinforcement of concepts.
‘PEEK A BOO’ by Roberta Grober
Babies naturally delight in looking at other babies, and this book capitalizes on that interest. Its popularity in baby playgroups is a testament to its appeal. The Peek a Boo game, integral to this book, is a fantastic exercise to engage your baby.
- Tip: Enhance the fun by accompanying the reading with a game of Peek a Boo. It will not only entertain your baby but also stimulate their sensory development. Click on the picture to get a glimpse of the Peek a Boo song that you can sing along with your child.
For 0-1 Year Olds: Encouraging Sensory Development with Interactive Books
‘Meal Time’ by Priddy Books
‘Meal Time’ by Priddy Books is a fantastic tool for the young readers in your home. Introducing fruits and vegetables through beautiful, touchable pictures, the book offers a multi-sensory experience that aids their understanding of the world around them.
- Recommendation: Use this book during meal times to match the food on your child’s plate to the images in the book. It can make meal times fun and educational!
‘That’s not my snowman/ colors’ by Usborne Touchy-Feely
Usborne’s interactive books, designed for tiny hands, are much loved by young children. The tactile exploration encouraged by these books helps children develop motor skills while absorbing fundamental concepts.
- Insight: Tactile books like these are not just fun but are also known to aid in improving concentration and memory in early years.
‘Baby’s box of fun’ by Karen Katz
Karen Katz’s Baby’s Box of Fun is simple, interactive, and absolutely delightful to explore. The collection of three books inside makes it a valuable gift for baby showers.
- Tip: Pair each story with a related activity for a more immersive experience. This can help in better assimilation of the concepts introduced in the books.
‘Orange Pear Apple Bear’ by Emily Gravett
‘Orange Pear Apple Bear’ is a humorous book that introduces some of the most common fruits through easy rhymes. The clever addition of the bear adds a fun twist to the story.
- Tip: While reading this story, incorporate real fruits. This allows children to touch, smell, and taste the fruits, making the learning experience extremely engaging.
‘Goodnight Moon’ by Margaret Wise Brown
Nothing spells classic children than ‘Goodnight Moon’ by Margaret Wise Brown. This cute story with its warm, comforting rhythm makes it an ideal bedtime read.
- Recommendation: Establish a bedtime routine with this book. The regularity can provide your child with a sense of security and foster a love for books.
Counting (and feeling) to three
Books that introduce numbers in an interactive, tactile format can bring added value to a child’s early learning journey. They not only introduce the concept of numbers but also stimulate sensory development.
- Insight: Studies indicate that tactile learning activities can improve number recognition and counting skills in early learners.
For 1-3 Year Olds: Interactive Learning Through Favorite Characters
‘Peppa Pig Nursery Rhymes and Songs/Three Pigs/Three Bears’ by Ladybird
Ladybird is a well-known publisher for creating interactive books that make learning a joy for toddlers. Famous for their sensorial fairy tales, they’ve reached new heights with their Peppa Pig editions. They have successfully retold classic stories like ‘Red Riding Hood’ and ‘The Three Pigs’ in a whole new light that resonates with young children.
- Recommendation: To expand your child’s learning, try role-playing these stories. It will not only solidify their understanding but also enhance their creativity and social skills.
‘Dear Zoo’ by Rod Campbell
‘Dear Zoo’ by Rod Campbell is an excellent first book to instill a love for animals. The book uses flaps and textures to create an interactive reading experience that children find thrilling.
- Bonus Activity: Singing animal-themed songs like ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm’ or ‘Hickory Dickory Dock’ complement the reading experience and make learning about animals enjoyable.
‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle
Every book by Eric Carle is a treasure trove of learning. His unique artwork and engaging stories create an interactive learning experience for children. ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ is one such masterpiece that splendidly covers a range of topics from the life cycle of a butterfly to universal concepts like colors, numbers, and the days of the week.
- Tip: After reading the story, prepare a fruit salad using all the fruits mentioned in the book. This delicious activity will help in reinforcing the concept of numbers, colors, and healthy eating.
For 3-5 Year Olds: Unleashing Creativity with Interactive Tales and Games
‘Animal Alphabet’ by Andrew Zuckerman
This strikingly illustrated book is a delightful guide that introduces children to the magical world of the alphabet, using the fascinating world of animals. Each page features stunning photographs of different animals, making learning an adventure.
- Tip: Create an alphabet collage by cutting out pictures from old magazines.
‘Lulu’s Adventures’ by Camilla Reid
The character Lulu, beautifully illustrated in these books, takes readers on interactive adventures with unexpected twists. The compelling pictures and engaging stories captivate the attention of children, enhancing their curiosity and imagination.
- Recommendation: After reading, encourage your child to draw their own adventure story. This can foster creativity and storytelling skills.
‘Mix it Up!’ and ‘Color Magic’ by Leo Lionni
These books are all about exploring colors and mixing them. The magic of color mixing is explained in a delightful and artistic way. Engaging young readers to experiment with colors paves the way for early scientific exploration.
- Activity Idea: After reading, encourage your child to create their own color mixing chart using paint.
‘Duck and Goose’ by Tad Hills
Tad Hills crafts incredibly heartwarming tales for young children in his series, Duck and Goose. The delightful characters and charming storytelling make this a must-read series.
- Insight: Reading series like Duck and Goose can help children understand the progression of a story, enhance their vocabulary, and foster an early love for books.
‘Maisy’s Everyday Adventures’ by Lucy Cousins
Lucy Cousins has created a charming character named Maisy, who explores simple everyday life themes in her books. The interactive elements like flaps and touchable parts add to the excitement and make reading an enjoyable activity. Especially, the sticker books offer a great way to retell the stories in a creative way.
- Tip: Use craft materials to recreate scenes from the stories. This enhances comprehension and boosts creativity.
Counting Songs by Baby Genius
Learning to count can be made more enjoyable and interactive with catchy songs like ‘5 little monkeys jumping on the bed’. These songs provide an engaging way to teach children counting and numerical order.
- Recommendation: Use soft toys or finger puppets to enact the song. It makes the learning experience more lively and engaging.
For 6-8 Year Olds: Learning Etiquette and Exploring Emotion Through Interactive Stories
BOB Books
BOB Books come highly recommended for their easy-to-read text and engaging stories. While these books are yet to be personally reviewed, they show great promise in helping children grasp the fundamental aspects of reading.
‘Press Here’ by Hervé Tullet
Hervé Tullet’s ‘Press Here’ is an innovative masterpiece that invites readers to engage with the book in a unique way. Encouraging actions like shaking, flipping, and tilting the book, it promises a delightful and interactive reading experience.
- Recommendation: This book is a perfect gift for children who are discovering the joy of reading.
‘Polite as a Princess’ by Melissa Arps
Teaching children the importance of manners can be made easier with ‘Polite as a Princess’. The book presents situations where expressing thanks, apologies, and politeness are essential. The fun and relatable scenarios make learning etiquette enjoyable.
- Insight: Books that present real-life scenarios can help children understand and apply the concepts in their daily lives.
‘Making Faces: A First Book of Emotions’ by Abrams Appleseed
‘Making Faces’ is a wonderful book that introduces children to different emotions. Its simple yet profound storytelling style makes it an ideal pick for young children beginning to understand feelings.
- Tip: Use this book to initiate conversations about emotions and feelings with your child.
‘My Five Senses’ by Aliki
‘My Five Senses’ is a highly recommended book that introduces the concept of senses to children. Using simple language and engaging illustrations, it helps children explore and understand their five senses.
- Activity Idea: After reading, encourage your child to create a sensory chart, documenting various items as per their senses.
‘The Day It Rained Hearts’ by Felicia Bond
This charmingly illustrated book presents a creative and heartwarming story. It’s an excellent read for children, fostering imagination and creativity.
- Activity Idea: After reading the book, engage your child in craft activities. Make paper hearts and create a story around them.
‘A New Home for a Mouse’ by Petr Horáček
This lovely book introduces the concepts of size and change in an unusual way. The story revolves around a mouse looking for a new home and ends with a twist, keeping children engaged till the very end.
- Activity Idea: After reading the story, conduct an apple tasting activity. It can be a fun way to observe the change in the apple’s shape as it is eaten, just like in the book.
For 8-10 Year Olds: Nurturing Emotional Intelligence and Critical Thinking Skills
‘A Snowflake Journey’ by Mary McKenna
‘A Snowflake Journey’ offers a beautiful narrative that encourages children to learn about verbs and actions. The storyline provides opportunities for children to engage in role-play and experience the story in a fun and interactive way.
- Activity Idea: Watch this video to learn how to create indoor snowballs and imitate snowflakes.
‘Exploring Emotions’ by Janan Cain
Janan Cain’s ‘Exploring Emotions’ combines engaging rhymes with everyday emotional situations. The attractive illustrations bring the text to life, making it a fantastic resource for introducing the concept of emotions.
- Tip: Use this book to initiate discussions about various emotions and their appropriate responses.
‘Dr. Seuss Collection’
Though not personally reviewed, books by Dr. Seuss have received rave reviews from fellow bloggers. Known for their rhyming text and humorous, unique stories, these books are considered excellent reading material for early readers.
- Insight: Rhyming books like these are known to improve phonological awareness in children, a crucial skill for reading and writing development.
‘The Number Adventure’ by Mem Fox
Mem Fox’s ‘The Number Adventure’ is a brilliant resource for introducing the concept of numbers up to 10 and 20. The engaging story also explores the theme of diversity making it a comprehensive learning tool.
- Activity Idea: Encourage your child to create a visual representation of the numbers in the story using stickers or drawings.
‘Parent-created Stories’
Every parent is a natural storyteller. Creating personalised stories for your children can be a wonderful way to bond with them. Check out this story written by a parent for some inspiration. Also, discover the secret to keeping kids active and entertained with our engaging movement activities for kids. Fun-filled ideas await!
- Tip: Use the themes and characters your child loves to make the stories more engaging.
Conclusion
Beyond these selected books, there is a plethora of incredible literature for early readers. It’s always beneficial to explore a diverse range of books, especially those that simplify reading for second language learners. Feel free to share your favorite ones for others to discover.