1000 Books Before Kindergarten

These books are recommended for children ages birth to 5. Are you enrolled in our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Book Club? This is a special book club for children ages birth to 5. Click here for more information: https://sussexcountylibrary.org/1000-books/

Updated June 12, 2024
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Where's my teddy? /
Alborough, Jez,
Paper Book
In print for twenty-five years, this phenomenal bestseller about a teddy bear mix-up is available in a board book edition. Eddy's lost his teddy, Freddy, so he goes off into the woods in search of the missing bear. The dark, horrible woods hold a gigantic surprise for Eddy,...
The mitten
Aylesworth, Jim.
Paper Book
Br-r-r-r-r-r-rrrrrrrrrr! said the squirrel.My toes are cold as ice!This mitten looks so cozy,And warm toes would feel so nice!When a little boy loses a mitten in the snow,a passing squirrel finds it's the perfect placeto warm his icy toes. So he sque-e-e-e-zesinside. But he's not the only one with...
The three bears
Barton, Byron.
Paper Book
In a rhythmic text with striking pictures, Byron Barton retells the classic fairytale of the three bears and a little girl named Goldilocks. Barton's simple words, bold images, and imaginative use of color have made his many picture books perennial favorites with very young children. Young...
A visitor for Bear
Becker, Bonny.
Paper Book
Cheery persistence wears down a curmudgeonly bear in a wry comedy of manners that ends in a most unlikely friendship. Bear is quite sure he doesn't like visitors. He even has a sign. So when a mouse taps on his door one day, Bear tells him to leave. But when Bear goes to the...
The end (almost)
Benton, Jim.
Paper Book
A new picture book from the hilarious author of the bestselling Dear Dumb Diary series! When Donut the bear is told his story is over and he has to leave, he donut want to do it. After all, he hasn't had a chance to have any fun! Will Donut's sneaky schemes and elaborate disguises...
Goodnight moon /
Brown, Margaret Wise,
Paper Book
In this classic of children's literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day. In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. "Goodnight...
Stellaluna /
Cannon, Janell,
Paper Book
While out searching for food, fruit bat Stellaluna and her mother are attacked by a vicious owl. Stellaluna is separated from Mother Bat and taken in by a family of birds where she must put aside her bat habits to fit in with her new family. But one fateful flight when she is separated from her...
Biscuit loves the library /
Capucilli, Alyssa Satin,
Paper Book
It is Read to a Pet Day at the library, and Biscuit and his friend the little girl are excited to look at all of the books. And with the help of someone very special, the little yellow puppy finds the perfect book to read and share. Book lovers of all ages will appreciate...
The very hungry caterpillar /
Carle, Eric,
Paper Book
THE ICONIC #1 BESTSELLER * The all-time classic picture book starring the world's favorite caterpillar! Generations of children have grown up on this beautifully dramatized story of a caterpillar who eats his way to becoming a butterfly. "Gorgeously illustrated, brilliantly...
Hair love
Cherry, Matthew A.
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller and tie-in to Academy-Award Winning Short Film "Hair Love"   "I love that Hair Love is highlighting the relationship between a Black father and daughter. Matthew leads the ranks of new creatives who are telling unique stories of the Black...
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed /
Christelow, Eileen,
Paper Book
"NO MORE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED!" The nursery rhyme "Five Little Monkeys" has long been a favorite song and finger play with the preschool set, but Eileen Christelow gives it new life as a hilarious picture book. Her expressive pencil and watercolor illustrations capture both the glee and...
Freight train
Crews, Donald.
Paper Book
In simple, powerful words and vibrant illustrations, Donald Crews evokes the rolling wheels of that childhood favorite: a train. This Caldecott Honor Book features bright colors and bold shapes. Even a child not lucky enough to have counted freight cars will feel he or she has watched a...
Click, clack, moo :
Cronin, Doreen.
Paper Book
The quirky, hilarious farmyard tale that started it all from New York Times bestselling duo of Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin! Now the inspiration for a new Christmas special, CLICK, CLACK, MOO: Christmas on the Farm. Farmer Brown has a problem. ...
Jamberry /
Degen, Bruce
Paper Book
This bestselling classic features a berry-loving boy and an endearing rhyme-spouting bear. The fun wordplay and bright paintings with lots of details for young readers to explore make Jamberry a perennial favorite. A small boy and a big friendly bear embark on a berry...
Are you my mother? /
Eastman, P. D.
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * The must-have, heartwarming and hilarious classic about a baby bird in search of his mother! A baby bird goes in search of his mother in this hilarious Beginner Book edited by Dr. Seuss. When a mother bird's egg starts to jump, she hurries off to make sure...
Go away, big green monster!
Emberley, Ed.
Paper Book
OVER 1.3 MILLION COPIES SOLD!   Caldecott winner Ed Emberley's classic interactive story lets children scare away their bedtime frights and is silly fun for Halloween and every other day of the year! As...
Olivia
Falconer, Ian
Paper Book
This Caldecott Honor Book and #1 New York Times bestseller is perfect for pig-loving kids everywhere! It's everyone's favorite pig...it's OLIVIA! Join Olivia as she... -dresses up -sings songs -builds sand castles -naps (maybe) ...
Bark, George /
Feiffer, Jules
Paper Book
Named one of 100 Great Children's Books by The New York Public Library and #9 on School Library Journal's list of the Top 100 Picture Books! From acclaimed author-illustrator Jules Feiffer, Bark, George is a hilarious, subversive story about a dog who can't . . . bark! This...
Mama cat has three kittens
Fleming, Denise
Paper Book
Some kittens march to the beat of a different drummer. Mama Cat has three kittens, Fluffy, Skinny, and Boris. Where Mama Cat leads, Fluffy and Skinny follow. But what about Boris-- will he ever stop napping and join the fun? Young children will love Mama Cat and her three...
Where is the green sheep?
Fox, Mem
Paper Book
Little ones are sure to be lulled off to a peaceful, sheep-filled sleep by this cozy book from acclaimed author Mem Fox. There are red sheep and blue sheep, wind sheep and wave sheep, scared sheep and brave sheep, but where is the green sheep? The search is on in this cozy, sheep...
Corduroy
Freeman, Don
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * The treasured childhood classic that tells the heartwarming story of a little bear and a little girl finding the friend they have always wanted in each other. Corduroy lives in the toy department of a big store. Day after day he waits with all the other...
The three little pigs
Galdone, Paul
Paper Book
This classic battle of wits, dramatically and charmingly illustrated by the award-winning Paul Galdone, is the perfect edition to any folk tale storybook collection. Three little pigs set out to seek their fortune. Each pig builds himself a house: one of straw, one of...
The man who walked between the towers /
Gerstein, Mordicai
Paper Book
The story of a daring tightrope walk between skyscrapers, as seen in Robert Zemeckis's The Walk, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. In 1974, French aerialist Philippe Petit threw a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center and spent an hour walking, dancing...
The girl who loved wild horses
Goble, Paul.
Paper Book
"There was a girl in the village who loved horses... She led the horses to drink at the river. She spoke softly and they followed. People noticed that she understood horses in a special way." And so begins the story of a young Native American girl devoted to the care of her tribe's...
Is your mama a llama? :
Paper Book
Kitten's first full moon /
Henkes, Kevin.
Paper Book
This nationally bestselling picture book about a kitten, the moon, and a bowl of milk, written by the celebrated author and illustrator Kevin Henkes, was awarded a Caldecott Medal. From one of the most celebrated and beloved picture book creators working in the field today comes a...
Where's Spot? /
Hill, Eric,
Paper Book
A sturdy board book edition of the first-ever lift-the-flap book! With hide-and-seek fun on every page, this interactive classic has had children across the globe searching for everyone's favorite pup, who's gone on to sell over 65 million copies worldwide! "Spot is one of the...
Eyes that kiss in the corners
Ho, Joanna
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller and #1 Indie Bestseller · A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year · A School Library Journal Best Book of 2021 · Included in NPR's 2021 Books We Love List · Featured in Forbes, Oprah Daily, The Cut, and Book Riot · Golden Poppy Book Award...
Bread and jam for Frances
Hoban, Russell.
Paper Book
The classic funny story about a stubborn little badger with very particular tastes in food. Frances is a fussy eater. In fact, the only thing she likes is bread and jam. She won't touch her squishy soft-boiled egg. She trades away her chicken-salad sandwich at lunch. She turns up her nose...
Amazing Grace /
Hoffman, Mary,
Paper Book
Grace loves stories, whether they're from books, movies, or the kind her grandmother tells. So when she gets a chance to play a part in Peter Pan, she knows exactly who she wants to be. Remarkable watercolor illustrations give full expression to Grace's high-flying imagination.
Angelina ballerina /
Holabird, Katharine.
Paper Book
It’s been twenty-five years since Angelina danced her way into the hearts of young ballerinas, and she’s still going strong. A true modern classic, Angelina continues to be adored by her legions of fans. Celebrate her twenty-fifth anniversary with this special edition of the original...
Rosie's walk
Hutchins, Pat
Paper Book
Simplified Chinese edition of Rosie's Walk. Rosie the chicken takes a stroll around the barn yard, while a fox is stealthily following her. But before he could catch Rosie, the fox is chased away by the bees stirred from the beehives when Rosie walks by oblivious to the danger behind her.
What do you do with a tail like this? /
Jenkins, Steve,
Paper Book
In this beautiful Caldecott Honor picture book, Steven Jenkins and illustrator Robin Page explore the many amazing things animals can do with eyes, ears, mouth, noses, feet, and tails. Young readers will relish the mystery behind this interactive guessing book. A nose for digging? Ears for...
What do you do with a tail like this? /
Jenkins, Steve,
Paper Book
In this beautiful Caldecott Honor picture book, Steven Jenkins and illustrator Robin Page explore the many amazing things animals can do with eyes, ears, mouth, noses, feet, and tails. Young readers will relish the mystery behind this interactive guessing book. A nose for digging? Ears for...
Harold and the purple crayon
Johnson, Crockett
Paper Book
From beloved children's book creator Crockett Johnson comes the timeless classic Harold and the Purple Crayon! This imagination-sparking picture book belongs on every child's bookshelf. One evening Harold decides to go for a walk in the moonlight. Armed only with an oversize purple...
The hello, goodbye window /
Juster, Norton,
Paper Book
A Caldecott Medal Winner From the acclaimed author of the classic book The Phantom Tollbooth comes a love song to that special relationship between grandparents and grandchild, illustrated by a multi-Caldecott recipient. ...
The wolf's chicken stew /
Kasza, Keiko.
Paper Book
The wolf loves to eat more than anything in the world and one day he has a terrible craving for chicken stew. He spots a chicken who seems just right, but then he thinks how much more stew there will be if he fattens her up before dining himself. So he goes home and begins to cook all kinds of...
The snowy day /
Keats, Ezra Jack,
Paper Book
The magic and wonder of winter's first snowfall is perfectly captured in Ezra Jack Keat's Caldecott Medal-winning picture book. This celebrated classic has been shared by generations of readers and listeners, a must-have for every child's bookshelf and a perfect gift for the holiday season....
Anansi and the moss-covered rock /
Paper Book
A classic trickster folktale told with humor and charm, this is a perfect read along book both parents and children will love. When Anansi the Spider finds a strange moss-covered rock in the forest, he uses it to trick all his animal friends. But Little Bush Deer is onto Anansi's...
Whose mouse are you?
Kraus, Robert
Paper Book
A lonely little mouse has to be resourceful to bring his family back together. In a series of delightfully imaginary achievements, "nobody's mouse" transforms himself into the beloved hero of his mother, father, sister, and brand-new baby brother. In their very first...
The story of Ferdinand /
Leaf, Munro,
Paper Book
Now a major motion picture! A true classic with a timeless message, The Story of Ferdinand has enchanted readers since it was first published in 1936. All the other bulls would run and jump and butt their heads together. But Ferdinand would rather sit and smell the flowers...
Little blue and little yellow :
Lionni, Leo
Paper Book
Beloved picture book creator and four-time Caldecott Honor-winner Leo Lionni's very first story for children, and a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year. Little Blue and Little Yellow are best friends, but one day they can't find each other. When they finally...
On Market Street /
Lobel, Anita,
Paper Book
Have you ever seen a man dressed entirely in playing cards? Or a girl wearing a lollipop dress? Then take a stroll through a most unusual market in this Caldecott Honor Book created by Anita Lobel and Arnold Lobel. Here is a world of wonders, from A to Z. Inspired by seventeenth-century...
Frog and toad are friends
Lobel, Arnold.
Paper Book
From writing letters to going swimming, telling stories to finding lost buttons, Frog and Toad are always there for each other—just as best friends should be.
Froggy gets dressed /
London, Jonathan,
Paper Book
Rambunctious Froggy hops out into the snow for a winter frolic but is called back by his mother to put on some necessary articles of clothing.
Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? /
Martin, Bill,
Paper Book
Celebrate the anniversary of this beloved children's book, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck-- all parade across the pages of this delightful classic children's book, Brown...
Chicka chicka boom boom /
Martin, Bill,
Paper Book
There is always enough room on your child's bookshelf for this rollicking alphabet chant that has been a children's favorite for over thirty years! A told B, and B told C, "I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree" In this lively alphabet...
Guess how much I love you /
McBratney, Sam.
Paper Book
"Guess how much I love you," says Little Nutbrown Hare. Little Nutbrown Hare shows his daddy how much he loves him: as wide as he can reach and as far as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown Hare, who can reach farther and hop higher, loves him back just as much. Well then Little Nutbrown Hare loves him...
Make way for ducklings
McCloskey, Robert
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * CALDECOTT MEDAL WINNER * The timeless and brilliantly illustrated classic that teaches the importance of kindness, perseverance, and familial love. Let the Mallard family waddle right off the page and into your child's heart! "One of the merriest picture...
Gone wild : an endangered animal alphabet
McLimans, David.
Paper Book
Feast your eyes on these amazing creatures before they disappear. This stampede of wild animals, from Chinese Alligator to Grevy's Zebra, are so rare, they're all endangered. David McLiman's bold and playful illustrations transform each letter into a work of art, graphically rendered with animal...
I stink!
McMullan, Kate.
Paper Book
For fans of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and Steam Train, Dream Train comes a noisy addition to the hilarious read-aloud series from Kate and Jim McMullan, the popular creators of I'm Bad! and I'm Dirty! Now a streaming animated series! "Know what I do at night while you're...
Martha speaks
Meddaugh, Susan.
Paper Book
When Helen Finney feeds alphabet soup to her dog Martha, Martha begins to speak. But having a talking dog is not as fun as it seems.
Stone soup
Muth, Jon J.
Paper Book
Award-winning artist Jon J Muth retells the favorite tale of a selfish community who is tricked into creating a delicious soup from stones. Set in China in Muth's hauntingly beautiful watercolors.Three strangers, hungry and tired, pass through a war-torn village. Embittered and suspicious from the...
The day Jimmy's boa ate the wash
Noble, Trinka Hakes.
Paper Book
Jimmy's boa constrictor wreaks havoc on the class trip to a farm.
If you give a mouse a cookie /
Numeroff, Laura Joffe
Paper Book
If a hungry little mouse shows up on your doorstep, you might want to give him a cookie. And if you give him a cookie, he'll ask for a glass of milk. He'll want to look in a mirror to make sure he doesn't have a milk mustache, and then he'll ask for a pair of scissors to give himself a trim....<...
Fancy Nancy
O'Connor, Jane.
Paper Book
*NOW A HIT TV SERIES ON DISNEY JUNIOR* The bestselling picture book that launched the beloved Fancy Nancy series by the dazzling duo Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser! Meet Nancy, who believes that more is ALWAYS better when it comes to being fancy. She loves to wear fancy...
The Kissing Hand /
Penn, Audrey,
Paper Book
School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming...
Shades of black : a celebration of our children
Pinkney, Sandra L.
Paper Book
The bestselling picture book is now available as a board book! "The beauty of African-American children is celebrated in this joyous picture book. Wonderful, clear, full-color photographs of youngsters illustrate a poetic, vivid text that describes a range of skin and eye colors and hair textures......
The little engine that could /
Piper, Watty,
Paper Book
THE ALL-TIME CLASSIC, RE-ILLUSTRATED BY THE CREATOR OF OTIS! Everyone loves The Little Engine That Could, that classic tale of the determined little engine that, despite its size, triumphantly pulls a train full of toys to the waiting children on the other side of a...
Good night, Gorilla /
Rathmann, Peggy.
Paper Book
A must have classic for all baby bedtimes and gifting opportunities. Good night, Gorilla. . . Good night, Elephant. . . It's bedtime at the zoo, and all the animals are going to sleep. Or are they? Who's that short, furry guy with the keys in his...
Curious George /
Rey, H. A.
Paper Book
In this, the original book about the curious monkey, George is taken from the jungle by the man in the yellow hat to live in a new home, but--oh, what happened! Though trying to be good, George is still very curious and takes a swim in the ocean, escapes from jail, and goes for a flying...
My friend Rabbit
Rohmann, Eric.
Paper Book
Rabbit saves the day in a most ingeneous way. When Mouse lets his best friend, Rabbit, play with his brand-new airplane, trouble isn't far behind. From Caldecott Honor award winner Eric Rohmann comes a brand-new picture book about friends and toys and trouble, illustrated in robust,...
We're going on a bear hunt /
Rosen, Michael,
Paper Book
Beloved for more than 30 years, this award-winning classic from Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury celebrates the joys of an afternoon outdoors with family. We're going on a bear hunt. We're going to catch a big one. Will you come too? Join a father and his four...
I love you through and through
Rossetti-Shustak, Bernadette.
Paper Book
A rhyming story of unconditional love with adorable illustrations of a toddler and a teddy bear who declare "I love you through and through!"I love your hair and eyes,Your giggles and cries...A toddler and his teddy bear illustrate a young child's happy side, sad side, silly side, mad...
The relatives came /
Rylant, Cynthia
Paper Book
In a rainbow-colored station wagon that smelled like a real car, the relatives came. When they arrived, they hugged and hugged from the kitchen to the front room. All summer they tended the garden and ate up all the strawberries and melons. They plucked banjos and strummed guitars. When they...
Grandfather's journey /
Say, Allen
Paper Book
Lyrical, breathtaking, splendid--words used to describe Allen Say's Grandfather's Journey when it was first published. At once deeply personal yet expressing universally held emotions, this tale of one man's love for two countries and his constant desire to be in both places captured readers'...
Richard Scarry's Cars and trucks and things that go
Scarry, Richard.
Paper Book
On their way to the beach for a picnic the Pig family encounters almost every kind of transportation vehicle imaginable--and imaginary.
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...
The cat in the hat /
Seuss,
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * The classic picture book that introduced the world to the iconic, mischievous Cat in the Hat and the beloved characters Thing One and Thing Two! Dr. Seuss makes reading fun for kids of all ages. "I know some new tricks," said the Cat in the Hat. "A lot of...
Green eggs and ham /
Seuss,
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * Join in the fun with Sam-I-Am in this iconic Dr. Seuss classic about the joy of trying new things. And don't miss the Netflix series adaptation! I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them, Sam-I-am. With...
Duck on a bike /
Shannon, David,
Paper Book
Caldecott Honor winner David Shannon applies his wonderful off-beat humor to the story of a duck who decides to try riding a bike--and loves it! Another young, funny book perfect for reading aloud.One day down on the farm, Duck got a wild idea. "I bet I could ride a bike," he thought. He waddled...
It looked like spilt milk /
Shaw, Charles Green,
Paper Book
A beautiful and engaging classic that inspires creativity and imagination The white shape silhouetted against a blue background changes on every page. Is it a rabbit, a bird, an ice-cream cone, or just spilt milk? In this childhood classic, kids are kept guessing until the surprise ending,...
Come along, Daisy!
Simmons, Jane.
Paper Book
This award winning beautifully made picture book is by Jane Simmons.It is the story of a duckling who is too busy chasing dragonflies and bouncing on lily pads to stay caught up with Mama Duck.It perfectly captures a little one's thrill of exploration in this gentle cautionary tale.
The stray dog /
Simont, Marc
Paper Book
"This picture book has all the earmarks of a classic. Simont gets it all right." --The Horn Book (starred review) Caldecott Medalist Marc Simont's heartwarming tale of a stray dog is told with tender simplicity and grace. When a little dog appears at a family picnic, the girl and...
Caps for sale : a tale of a peddler, some monkeys, and their monkey business
Slobodkina, Esphyr
Paper Book
Caps for Sale is a timeless classic beloved by millions...one of the most popular picture books ever published! This picture book is an excellent choice to share at home or in the classroom, as children love chanting along with the naughty monkeys. Children will...
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly
Taback, Simms.
Paper Book
An old favorite as you've never seen it before!Everyone knows the song about the old lady who swallowed a fly, a spider, a bird, and even worse, but who's ever seen what's going on inside the old lady's stomach? With this inventive die-cut artwork, Simms Tabak gives us a rollicking,...
The three pigs
Wiesner, David.
Paper Book
"Clever, whimsical and sophisticated." --New York Times Book Review Taking visual narrative to a new level, this picture book from the creator of Tuesday and Flotsam begins a seemingly familiar tale of three pigs preparing to build houses of straw, sticks, and...

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