7 Silly Story Time Books To Have at Home

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin Jr. and Lois Ehlert
The consummate sing-song alphabet stand-by. With alphabet letters doing silly things, big colorful pictures, and physical actions that kids can mimic, this book is a crowd pleaser. If kids haven’t already met this book in preschool, or at story time, they will for sure become familiar with it in kindergarten. There is also a sequel about numbers for readers who are overflowing with Chicka Chicka love love.

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, by James Dean and Eric Litwin
On those days when nothing goes right, when I have a giant stain on my shirt, or my kid somehow makes it out of the house without pants on, the librarian magically knows we need Pete the Cat and his positive attitude. No matter what happens to Pete’s shoes; no matter what color they turn, he still loves them. Sure, colors and rhyme are also featured, but it’s that infectious positive spirit that makes Pete a must.

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, by Eileen Christelow
This book can be shown on a felt board, played out with puppets, read, or, like our library does, sung while the kids bounce inflatable monkeys on a parachute. Depending on your mood, it is either a call to behave and listen to your mother, or a chance to jump around as much as possible to burn off some energy. Either way this is a great addition to your kid’s bookshelf; or you can read it with the app for your Nook.

Polar Bear’s Underwear, by Tupera Tupera
It may be presumptuous to call a new book a classic, but since this book was published in March I’ve heard a librarian read it at least five times. Not only are there cute pictures of animals, but there are lots of colors, and lots of goofy underwear. This, like all underwear-themed kid’s books, has the added bonus of making underwear (read: potty training!) fun.

1, 2, Buckle My Shoe, by Anna Grossnickle Hines
Here is another changing table, story time, or just-make-it-through-the-grocery-store please favorite. Most toddlers love finding their body parts, so why not count and rhyme at the same time? Like other Mother Goose rhymes 1,2, Buckle My Shoe will get stuck in your head, and you will sing it in the car, but all of that repetition will pay off one day.

Fish Eyes: A Book You Can Count On, by Lois Ehlert
It seems to be a universal thing that toddlers have a fascination with fish. Doctors and dentists like to put fish tanks in their offices. Aquariums are a great way to spend a hot day. Elmo even has a pet fish, Dorothy, on Sesame Street. This book has some truly gorgeous pictures, too, which makes it a story time staple.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
It doesn’t matter if it’s a Brown Bear, a Polar Bear, a Panda Bear or a Baby Bear, little kids go crackers for these books. I have sat in many a circle times watching kids yell and guess and cheer with each page. Bring home any, or all of them, and you’ll most likely see that kind of excitement with every reread.
Which story time books do you love to read at home?