Books for Curious Kids Ages 0-5

This Better Beginnings list was compiled by children's literature specialists from the State Library and SciTech and are great for encouraging curiosity and children aged 0-5.

Updated November 21, 2024
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Who sank the boat?
Allen, Pamela.
Paper Book
Who sank the boat? Was it the cow or the donkey or the sheep with her knitting? Surely it wasn't the tiny little mouse? Winner of the 1983 Australian Picture Book of the Year Award, this wonderfully illustrated book is designed for sharing aloud and will make children giggle as they...
Up, down, and around
Ayres, Katherine.
Paper Book
"An inviting introduction to the wonder of plants, food, and gardening. . . . Will be a favorite of teachers, students, and home readers alike." -- Kirkus Reviews From seeds dropping into soil to corn bursting from its stalks, from children chasing butterflies to ants...
Heads and tails
Canty, John
Paper Book
Heads and Tails by John Canty is an extraordinary children's picture book. Leveraging the natural and universal fascination that children have with animals, the book utilises hints and recognition to build a sense of anticipation on each page, that is resolved on the following page when the...
From head to toe
Carle, Eric
Paper Book
A lively and fresh interactive introduction to the basic body parts and movements. Gorillas, elephants, camels and other animals invite all young readers to clap, stomp, wriggle and bend like they do.
What are stars?
Daynes, Katie
Paper Book
What are stars? is the third in the Very First Questions & Answers series, following on from What is poo? and What are germs? It explores how stars aren't just the pointy shapes we know - in fact the tiny twinkly stars in the night sky aren't star-shaped at all and they aren't tiny. They're actually...
Monkey puzzle
Donaldson, Julia
Paper Book
"I've lost my mum!" Where is Monkey's mummy? It's not too much fun being lost in the jungle, and little monkey wants his mum. Kindly butterfly is keen to help, but they don't seem to be having much luck and keep finding the wrong animals! But eventually, they find . . . Dad!...
Where, oh where, is Rosie's chick?
Hutchins, Pat
Paper Book
First the egg
Seeger, Laura Vaccaro.
Paper Book
First the egg, then the chicken. First the seed, then the flower. First the word, then the story. First the paint, then the picture. This is a book about transformations. from tadpole to frog, from caterpillar to butterfly.
Construction
Sutton, Sally
Paper Book
The next offering from the award-winning duo that brought machine-mad kids Roadworks and Demolition. Hoist the wood. Hoist the wood. Chain and hook and strap. Swing it round, then lower it down. Thonk! Clonk! Clap! Build the frame. Build the frame. Hammer all day...

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