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
C
City of Belmont Ruth Faulkner Library
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Duck in the truck /
Alborough, Jez,
Paper Book
Duck's truck is stuck in the muck. Who will help him out? First, frog lends a hand. Then sheep helps push, too. But duck's truck won't come unstuck! Can anyone help him get out of the muck? Or is duck out of luck? Find out in this rollicking read-aloud by the inimitable Jez...
Who sank the boat? /
Allen, Pamela
Paper Book
A charmingly funny read-aloud that asks an important question: "Who sank the boat?" Beside the sea, there once lived a cow, a donkey, a sheep, a pig, and a tiny little mouse. They were good friends, and one warm, sunny morning, for no particular reason, they decided to go for a...
Up, down & around /
Ayres, Katherine.
Paper Book
This garden is on the move! A good-time, rollicking celebration of things that grow. PEPPERS GROW UP. POTATOES GROW DOWN. PUMPKINS VINE AROUND AND AROUND. From seeds dropping into soil to corn bursting from its stalks, from children chasing butterflies to...
Quack and count /
Baker, Keith,
Paper Book
Keith Baker’s playful, rhyming text and bold collage illustrations capture the excitement of a day’s adventure as a family of lively ducklings slip, slide, leap, and dive--grouping themselves in all the different combinations that add up to seven. Addition has never been more fun!...
From head to toe /
Carle, Eric,
Paper Book
From Eric Carle, the New York Times bestselling creator of beloved books including The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Grouchy Ladybug, comes From Head to Toe, a colorful and energetic book that will have young readers clapping their hands, stomping their feet, and wiggling their toes! ...
Where's my mom? /
Donaldson, Julia.
Paper Book
When little monkey can't find his mother, butterfly offers to help in the search. Little monkey says that his mother is big, so butterfly leads him to . . . an elephant. No, that's not right! Little monkey says his mom is furry, so butterfly leads him to . . . a bat. That's not right either. From...
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
Where, oh where, is Rosie's chick? /
Hutchins, Pat,
Paper Book
Rosie is on the lookout for her lost baby chick in this funny and surprising companion to the beloved picture book, Rosie's Walk, by author-illustrator Pat Hutchins. Rosie has lost her baby chick. She looks under the hen house. She looks behind the wheelbarrow. But little...
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...

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