Don’t Miss These 10 Classic Board Books

The Napping House, by Audrey Wood and Don Wood
A snoozing grandma, kid, dog, cat, and mouse all try to nap until the littlest visitor comes and the napping house becomes more of a flapping house and no one can sleep. (A tale that will sound all too familiar to parents of little ones!) Best not to read this one before nap time to avoid your child’s re-creating this whimsical story.

Elmer, by David McKee
This colorful classic features Elmer, an elephant like no other. He does not fit in with the other elephants because of his bright, patchwork colors. Covered in shades of blue, purple, pink, yellow, orange, green, red, and black he is anything but ordinary. Elmer doesn’t want the other elephants to laugh at him, but he soon discovers there is something special in being—and looking—unique.

The Little Engine That Could, by Watty Piper
Little ones will cheer on the little blue engine as he chugs and chugs along through the pages, and on up the mountain. A motivating story to read with your kids that delivers a great message on the power of positive thinking.

Paddington Bear All Day, by Michael Bond and R.W. Alley
The sweet and lovable bear who was first introduced young audiences more than fifty years ago is sized just right in this board book. As they follow a day in the enviable life of Paddington, a quirky and adorable bear living in London by way of Patagonia, little readers will delight in learning all about this lovable creature, his signature wardrobe, and his proclivity for marmalade.

Pat the Bunny, by Dorothy Kunhardt
This soft, iconic bunny has been filling babies with delight for years. The joy of touch comes to life for little hands—from a bunny, to a cloth, to daddy’s scratchy beard. Simple in concept, with varied textures to explore, your little one will reach for this book and enjoy following the sweet, simple adventures of Pat.

Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson
With just a purple crayon and a big imagination, Harold decides to draw his world and suddenly, everything becomes real. Since 1955, Harold has shown children just how far ingenuity and imagination can take you. A vividly purple perfect nighttime pick with art and adventure on every page.

Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
A story that has been beloved for generations, this book is simple and quiet. Given the title and the content, it is perfect for reading just before bedtime. You will memorize the words very quickly, and your child will be soothed by the familiarity.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle
Carle gave us the first of many classic books with this original work. A curious and captivating caterpillar eats his way through various fruits and vegetables before becoming a very beautiful butterfly. The small flaps and different page sizes make for a memorable board book experience.

Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram
Little Nutbrown Hare learns in this heartwarming tale that measuring love is not easy. A modern classic, this book has been a bedtime favorite for more than twenty years now. Translated into 53 languages, the title has gorgeous watercolors that soothe both parents and children and remind them that love can’t be measured.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Bill Martin and Eric Carle
Bold animal collages paired with singsong, rhyming text makes for this simply classic board book for preschoolers. The story intends to help toddlers recognize colors and the meaning of objects, with Carle’s signature artwork leading the way. The author wrote more than 300 books, many of them bestselling classics like this one. Three additional books spun-off from this original to create the Brown Bear and Friends Series with a focus on zoo animals, endangered animals, and North American animals.
What classic board books do you reach for when reading to your infants and toddlers?