My Favorite Finds + Freebies
A Little SPOT Learns Kind Words
“A Little SPOT Learns Kind Words” by Diane Alber has been extremely helpful in providing language to emotions in a way my toddler can understand. It’s even helped describe my own emotions better, and it’s helped my daughter practice ways to get her “angry spot” down by breathing. I highly recommend this book.
Hands Can
“Hands Can” by Cheryl Willis Hudson, is a pretty straightforward focus on what hands can do, and not so much on what they shouldn’t do (like hit).
Little Dinos Don’t Bite
“Little Dinos Don’t Bite” by Michael Dahl was a helpful reference, through the frame of a dinosaur, what is and isn’t ok to bite. Somehow that’s not so obvious to a toddler, but we’re getting there!
Potty
“Potty” by Leslie Patricelli, was a great beginning book to get our daughter to begin thinking about, and get excited about, going on the potty.
Sheep in a Jeep
“Sheep in a Jeep” is a fun rhyming book that tells the story of sheep — you guessed it — driving a Jeep! And the havoc that ensues. It’s short, and a good read that has lasted from baby through toddler as another chosen favorite.
Slumberkins books
The Slumberkins books focus on a specific emotional education elements like growth mindset, routines, gratitude, change, conflict resolution, etc. Each book also pairs with a stuffy. We loved the Narwhal book and more recently got the sloth book for routines.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
“We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” by Helen Oxenbury has become a favorite over time. My daughter will go on bear hunts in our home and enact all the sounds from the various places they have to walk through to find the bear.
Our Little Adventure to the Farmers Market
“Our Little Adventure to the Farmers Market” by Tabitha Paige is a sweet book, but I think what appeals to me is it feels very calm when reading it. It’s like the cadence and the illustration style makes it feel not rushed and just peaceful. I love the simplicity and beauty in it. Tabitha Paige is also a licensed speech pathologist and it has a section for basic vocabulary for early language development.
Who Will Tuck Me in Tonight?
“Who Will Tuck Me in Tonight?” by Carol Roth will always have a special place in my heart because it was while reading this book my daughter laughed at me for the first time. It is really a cute story and fun book.
Guess How Much I Love You
“Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney hasn’t been around that long (published in 2019) but somehow feels timeless, and that it’s been around for much longer. The tale of two nutbrown hares and how much they love each other mirrors what my daughter and I say now and is an endearing read.