The holiday season is here, and there’s no better gift than a great book for a child. High-quality children’s books make thoughtful additions to any shopping list. To inspire lifelong readers—and make your holiday shopping stress-free—our Growing Readers panel, featuring Bright Horizons early education experts, has curated a list of favorite titles for every age
Infant/Toddler Recommendations
Written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
Alma is celebrated for her iconic stripes, but there’s so much more to her story! With arms for petting her bird and toes for wiggling, she’s full of fun surprises. Through charming illustrations and vivid bilingual storytelling, Juana Martinez-Neal’s board book introduces the names of body parts in English and Spanish through Alma’s adventures.
Can I Sit in the Middle?
Written and illustrated by Susanne Strasser
In this delightfully chaotic story, a group of animal friends gathers around a cozy blue couch, each vying for the perfect spot to enjoy story time. As more animals arrive and settle in, the scene becomes increasingly crowded and silly. With its growing humor and gentle message about making space for others, this book is a joyful celebration of story time and finding fun in imperfect moments.
Written and illustrated by Susanne Strasser
In this delightfully chaotic story, a group of animal friends gathers around a cozy blue couch, each vying for the perfect spot to enjoy story time. As more animals arrive and settle in, the scene becomes increasingly crowded and silly. With its growing humor and gentle message about making space for others, this book is a joyful celebration of story time and finding fun in imperfect moments.
Eye Guess
Written and illustrated by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes
Who is looking at you? Combine animals, mystery, and predictable interactive text, and you have yourself a popular children’s book. In this playful board book, children of all ages will enjoy flipping through the pages as they use clues to guess each of the eight North American animals. By using bold and vibrant colors, Tildes captivates the reader with images of animals and their natural habitats.
Written and illustrated by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes
Who is looking at you? Combine animals, mystery, and predictable interactive text, and you have yourself a popular children’s book. In this playful board book, children of all ages will enjoy flipping through the pages as they use clues to guess each of the eight North American animals. By using bold and vibrant colors, Tildes captivates the reader with images of animals and their natural habitats.
Hello Hello Colors
Written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
Explore the delightful animals and lively colors in this concept-driven board book. The rhythmic text and extensive list of animals make a great read for all ages. You just might see an animal you have never heard of before!
Written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
Explore the delightful animals and lively colors in this concept-driven board book. The rhythmic text and extensive list of animals make a great read for all ages. You just might see an animal you have never heard of before!
Me and My Family Tree
Written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin
In this sweet board book, a little girl compares her features with different members of her family. She notices the likeness of her chin to her uncle’s, and the similarity of her toes to her cousin’s. While noticing her similarities, the young girl also reflects on what makes her special and unique.
My Hands Can
Written by Ammi-Joan Paquette and illustrated by Sabrena Khadija
Clap, create, cook, connect! This book is a joyful celebration of all the amazing tings little hands can do. This vibrant story invites young readers to discover how their bodies help them interact with others and the world around them in a meaningful way. This book serves as a gentle, encouraging primer for young children as they begin to gain control and awareness of their bodies.
Written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin
In this sweet board book, a little girl compares her features with different members of her family. She notices the likeness of her chin to her uncle’s, and the similarity of her toes to her cousin’s. While noticing her similarities, the young girl also reflects on what makes her special and unique.
Written by Ammi-Joan Paquette and illustrated by Sabrena Khadija
Clap, create, cook, connect! This book is a joyful celebration of all the amazing tings little hands can do. This vibrant story invites young readers to discover how their bodies help them interact with others and the world around them in a meaningful way. This book serves as a gentle, encouraging primer for young children as they begin to gain control and awareness of their bodies.
Preschool Through Young School Age Recommendations
A Rainbow in Brown
Written and illustrated by Pavonis Giron
In art class, Jo is tasked with painting using her favorite color. After her teacher hands her a palette of red, blue, and yellow paints, she begins mixing these primary colors to create new secondary colors and shades. Through her colorful journey, Jo discovers that her favorite color is a blend of them all: brown. Introduce children to the basics of color theory and convey a powerful message about self-esteem and seeing beauty.
Written and illustrated by Pavonis Giron
In art class, Jo is tasked with painting using her favorite color. After her teacher hands her a palette of red, blue, and yellow paints, she begins mixing these primary colors to create new secondary colors and shades. Through her colorful journey, Jo discovers that her favorite color is a blend of them all: brown. Introduce children to the basics of color theory and convey a powerful message about self-esteem and seeing beauty.
Every Body: A Celebration of Diverse Abilities
Written and photographed by Shelley Rotner
Author and photographer Shelley Rotner captures the ways children move, learn, and play. The captivating photographs and children’s narrations are a beautiful celebration of all children and their different abilities.
Written and photographed by Shelley Rotner
Author and photographer Shelley Rotner captures the ways children move, learn, and play. The captivating photographs and children’s narrations are a beautiful celebration of all children and their different abilities.
Eyes that Weave the World's Wonders
Written by Joanna Ho and Liz Kleinrock; illustrated by Dung Ho
Inspired by Liz Kleinrock’s own adoption, this touching story follows a young girl’s curiosity about where she comes from and the deep connections she has to her adoptive family. With lyrical, expressive illustrations, this book celebrates the true meaning of family, love, and self-acceptance.
Written by Joanna Ho and Liz Kleinrock; illustrated by Dung Ho
Inspired by Liz Kleinrock’s own adoption, this touching story follows a young girl’s curiosity about where she comes from and the deep connections she has to her adoptive family. With lyrical, expressive illustrations, this book celebrates the true meaning of family, love, and self-acceptance.
Just Like Millie
Written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo
This book is a tender, read-aloud about a shy young girl navigating the challenges of moving to a new town. Overwhelmed by social settings and hesitant to make new friends, she finds comfort and courage through Millie, a sweet rescue dog whose companionship helps her slowly open up to the world around her. Castillo’s warm illustrations and heartfelt storytelling beautifully capture how furry friends can be the perfect bridge to connection.
This book is a tender, read-aloud about a shy young girl navigating the challenges of moving to a new town. Overwhelmed by social settings and hesitant to make new friends, she finds comfort and courage through Millie, a sweet rescue dog whose companionship helps her slowly open up to the world around her. Castillo’s warm illustrations and heartfelt storytelling beautifully capture how furry friends can be the perfect bridge to connection.
Nothing Ever Happens on a Gray Day
Written and illustrated by Grant Snider
On a seemingly glum day, a young girl begins her journey around the neighborhood on her bicycle. Along the way, what were once gray colors slowly begin to trickle with streaks of yellow and spots of blue. Snider’s descriptive language such as the “crackly leaves” or the “loud barking dogs”, gives us a sensory exploration of the character’s journey.
On a seemingly glum day, a young girl begins her journey around the neighborhood on her bicycle. Along the way, what were once gray colors slowly begin to trickle with streaks of yellow and spots of blue. Snider’s descriptive language such as the “crackly leaves” or the “loud barking dogs”, gives us a sensory exploration of the character’s journey.
The Yellow Bus
Written and illustrated by Loren Long
The Yellow Bus spends her days joyfully carrying children to the places that matter most, their laughter filling her with happiness. Over the span of 50 years, life brings changes—a new driver, different routes, and a mix of passengers, both young and old. Eventually her journey on the road comes to an end, leaving her alone but not without purpose. With striking monochrome illustrations, this is a tender story about the endless possibilities that comes with change and new beginnings.
Written and illustrated by Loren Long
The Yellow Bus spends her days joyfully carrying children to the places that matter most, their laughter filling her with happiness. Over the span of 50 years, life brings changes—a new driver, different routes, and a mix of passengers, both young and old. Eventually her journey on the road comes to an end, leaving her alone but not without purpose. With striking monochrome illustrations, this is a tender story about the endless possibilities that comes with change and new beginnings.
