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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From head to toe
Carle, Eric
Paper Book
This high-quality Spanish-language edition of the Eric Carle favorite From Head to Toe can be enjoyed by fluent Spanish speakers as well as those learning the language, whether at home or in a classroom. Las risas no dejaraán de oirse mientras los niños (¡y los adultos!) participan en el...
Fish eyes : a book you can count on
Ehlert, Lois.
Paper Book
Brightly colored fish introduce young children to counting and basic addition in this fun and simple concept book. "A visual treat from start to finish."--Booklist
A pig is big
Florian, Douglas.
Paper Book
What is big Join Douglas Florian and a decidedly big pink pig as they travel around town, across a continent, and through the universe, taking a look at things that are big bigger biggest! Bulletin Blue Ribbon Best of 2000 Award
Shape by shape
MacDonald, Suse.
Paper Book
What am I? I lived a long, long time ago. I had round eyes... lots of sharp teeth... This new concept book from Caldecott Honor illustrator Suse MacDonald is sure to entertain children. As readers turn the brightly colored, die cut pages, shapes on each page...
First the egg
Seeger, Laura Vaccaro.
Paper Book
WHICH CAME FIRST? The chicken or the egg? Simple die-cuts magically present transformation-- from seed to flower, tadpole to frog, caterpillar to butterfly. The acclaimed author of Black? White! Day? Night! and Lemons Are Not Red gives an entirely fresh and memorable...
Construction
Sutton, Sally
Paper Book
Thonk! Clonk! Clap! The team behind Roadwork and Demolition returns to the construction site, where big machines and busy workers dig, hoist, and hammer away. There’s lots of noise and excitement involved in building a library! Preschoolers will clamor to take...
Just a little bit
Tompert, Ann.
Paper Book
When an elephant and a mouse try to play on a seesaw, they need help from a vast number of animal friends to balance the scales.
Let's go visiting
Williams, Sue
Paper Book
A colorful farmyard visit brightened by lively baby animals and lots of counting fun. Let's go visiting and see who's ready to play--one foal, two calves, three kittens, four piglets, five ducklings, and six puppies! And once we've stomped in the mud with the piglets and swum in the lake...

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