Babies Need Words Every Day: Talk, Read, Sing, Play by the Association for Library Service to Children

In 2024, the Association for Library Services for Children updated the book list, Babies Need Words Every Day: Talk, Read, Sing, Play. This resource was created to help bridge the 30 million word gap by providing parents with proven ways to build their children's literacy skills. This list contains the books the Sussex County Library System owned and can be checked out at any of our branches.

We encourage you to explore this list to find resources that may match or spark your children's interest.

Updated December 6, 2024
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Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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The Belly Song
Moon, Mother/ Giles, Leah (ILT)
Paper Book
Sing along in this joyful celebration of your baby's perfect belly. Named one of the Best Books of 2024 by Chicago Public Library! "As the pages celebrate many different kinds of human bellies, they simultaneously model a wealth of loving connections...
Curls
Forman, Ruth
Paper Book
A joyfully poetic board book that delivers an ode to African American girls and the beauty of their curls. Me Morning Mirror Smile Shine big hair love This simple, playful, and beautiful board book stars four...
Give me a snickle! /
Sevigny, Alisha,
Paper Book
Key Selling Points Give Me a Snickle includes photos of babies from diverse backgrounds. This book celebrates love and affection between care providers and children and makes for an engaging read-aloud. Encourages physical touch, which is necessary for healthy...
Brush! Brush! Brush! /
Florian, Douglas
Paper Book
Smile wide and brush! brush! brush! in this adorable rhyming board book that teaches little ones how to clean their teeth! Discover the whole Baby Steps Series with Play! Play! Play! (2018) and Bath! Bath! Bath! (2018)! Brushing teeth is fun! fun! fun!...
How we eat /
Fuente-Lau, Shuli de la,
Paper Book
"★ Meaningful and inclusive." - Kirkus Starred Review Mealtime just got a whole lot more fun! HOW WE EAT helps families and educators discuss ability, culture, and food at home and in the classroom. Complete with family discussion questions and a guide detailing the...
Me and the family tree /
Weatherford, Carole Boston,
Paper Book
A celebration of family roots from award-winning children's author and 2025-2026 Young People's Poet Laureate Carole Boston Weatherford! I've got my brother's ears And my sister's big bright eyes. I've got my grandpa's hands Though mine are a smaller size. As a...
?Que Llenara La Canasta? / What Will Fit?
Lin, Grace
Paper Book
Now in Spanish bilingual editions--Caldecott Honor winner Grace Lin celebrates math for every kid in this board book series. A fall-ready favorite for any autumn reading list. Take a trip to the farmers market in this playful story about spatial sense. Olivia is searching...

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