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
Yikes! Eddie's in for the surprise of his life when he discovers that his teddy bear has grown much too big to cuddle! But there's fun in store when Eddie meets up with a real bear who's got just the opposite problem--his lost teddy bear has shrunk to a size that's much too small for such an...
Happy birthday, moon
Asch, Frank.
Paper Book
A poetic fantasy, "Happy Birthday, Moon" has delighted fans for years as a simple yet reassuring celebration of love and friendship. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.
Ten, nine, eight
Bang, Molly.
Paper Book
A Caldecott Honor Book and ALA Notable Book A bedtime book and a counting book! "A delightful bedtime book."--New York Times Acclaimed author Molly Bang shares the going-to-bed countdown in a loving family. "Ten small toes all washed and warm," begins the story, and then...
Animals should definitely not wear clothing
Barrett, Judi.
Paper Book
Animals should definitely not wear clothing....because a snake would lose it, a billy goat would eat it for lunch, and it would always be wet on a walrus! This popular book by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett shows the very youngest why animals' natural clothing is perfect just as it is. ...
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...
Goodnight moon
Brown, Margaret Wise
CD
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...
Mr. Gumpy's outing
Burningham, John.
Paper Book
Mr. Gumpy's Outing is a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner and an American Library Association Notable Children's Book. In England, illustrator John Burningham, with Mr. Gumpy's Outing, became the first artist ever to win England's Kate Greenaway Medal twice. Mr...
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
There is so much to do--and there are so many friends to see--at the library!
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. One of The Atlantic's 65 Essential...
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
As soon as they say good night to Mama, the five little monkeys start to jump on their bed. But trouble lies ahead as, one by one, they fall off and hurt themselves.
Mixed : a colorful story
Chung, Arree
Paper Book
★ "A colorful story about celebrating difference as complementary and transformative." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review The reds, the yellows, and the blues all think they're the best in this vibrant, thought-provoking picture book from Arree Chung, with a...
Fred stays with me
Coffelt, Nancy.
Paper Book
A poignant picture book about a young girl, who in the face of her parents' divorce, turns to the one constant in her life-her dog Fred. Sometimes I live with my mom. Sometimes I live with my dad. But Fred stays with me. Told from the point of view of a young child...
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, cows that type
Cronin, Doreen
Paper Book
Now the inspiration for a new Christmas special, CLICK, CLACK, MOO: Christmas on the Farm. New York Times bestselling duo Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin's Caldecott Honor-winning book is now available as a Level 2 Ready-to-Read! Farmer Brown has a...
Good dog, Carl
Day, Alexandra.
Paper Book
Available in paperback for the first time, the modern classic that introduced the beloved baby-sitting rottweiler to the world.
Jamberry
Degen, Bruce.
Paper Book
Abuela
Dorros, Arthur.
Paper Book
A younggirland her grandmother celebrate their home andrelationshipin this magical story. Winner of theParents' ChoiceAward! Come join Rosalba and her grandmother, her abuela, on a magical journey as theyfly over the streets, sights, and people of New York City which...
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...
Ask Mr. Bear
Flack, Marjorie
Paper Book
A sweet picture book where Danny teams up with the animals to find his mother the perfect gift. Trying to find the perfect birthday present for his mother isn't easy for Danny. The hen offers eggs, the goose feathers, and the sheep wool. But mother already has those things. Then...
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
A picture book classic! One of School Library Journal's "Top 100 Picture Books" of all time (2012) One of the National Education Association's"Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children." Don Freeman's classic character, Corduroy, is even more...
The three little pigs
Galdone, Paul.
Paper Book
All three pigs set out to seek their fortune, but two of them come to a sorry end.
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...
Tu mama es una llama?
Guarino, Deborah.
Paper Book
Lalo the Llama discovers what kind of animal his mama really is in this delightful guessing game picture book, filled with whimsical riddles andendearing illustrations.
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...
Donde esta Spot?
Hill, Eric
Paper Book
"Very young children will join in the search for Spot, with his mother Sally, as she encounters other animals along the way hidden behind the flaps. Each double spread has a door to open or a covering to lift. The large ink-and-water color illustrations abound with good humor." Publishers Weekly.
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 I Can Read 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...
Is it red? Is it yellow? Is it blue? : An adventure in color
Hoban, Tana.
Paper Book
"A wordless concept picture book meant to teach basic colors to very young children does its work excellently."--Booklist.
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
Mr. and Mrs. Mouseling are going to the grown-ups-only costume ball, and Angelina is determined not to miss the fun. So she and Alice find a way to sneak in and fool everyone. Based on a DVD episode. Full color.
Rosie's walk
Hutchins, Pat
Paper Book
Rosie the hen leaves the chicken coop and sets out for a little walk. Right behind her is the fox, slyly trying to catch up with her. Rosie's walk is quiet, uneventful and eventually leads her back to the coop, blissfully unaware of the fox's travails as he tries -- unsuccessfully -- to navigate the...
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.
CD
CALDECOTT MEDAL WINNER . #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER . The magic and wonder of winter's first snowfall is perfectly captured in this classic seasonal picture book celebrated by generations of readers-a beautiful gift for the holiday season! New York Public Library's #1 book on the...
Anansi and the moss covered rock
Kimmel, Eric A.
CD
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...
The carrot seed
Krauss, Ruth.
CD
When a little boy plants a carrot seed, everyone tells him it won't grow. But the little boy just knows that one day a carrot will come up. So he waters his seed, and he pulls the weeds, and he waits.... First published in 1945, the timeless combination of Ruth Krauss's simple text and...
El cuento de Ferdinando
Leaf, Munro
Paper Book
A true classic with a timeless message! One of The Atlantic's 65 Essential Children's Books All the other bulls run, jump, and butt their heads together in fights. Ferdinand, on the other hand, would rather sit and smell the flowers. So what will happen when...
Little Blue and Little Yellow : a story for Pippo and Ann and other children
Lionni, Leo
Paper Book
Little blue and little yellow share wonderful adventures. One day, they can't find one another. When they finally meet, they are overjoyed. They hug until they become green. But where did little blue and little yellow go? Are they lost?
Frog and Toad are friends
Lobel, Arnold.
Paper Book
Five very short stories told in a direct and ingenuous style, appealing because of their ease and the familiarity of the situations.
Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? [Big Book]
Martin, Bill
Paper Book
With more than two million copies sold, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? has opened up a world of learning to a generation of children. For this edition, created for the twenty-fifth anniversay in 1992, Bill Martin, Jr., restored his text to its original wording. And Eric Carle...
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
Mrs. Mallard was sure that the pond in the Boston Public Gardens would be a perfect place for her and her eight ducklings to live. The problem was how to get them there through the busy streets of Boston. But with a little help from the Boston police, Mrs. Mallard and Jack, Kack, Lack, Nack, Ouack,...
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...
Sā tabete yaru
McMullan, Kate
Paper Book
Japanese edition of I Stink!. Who would think a garbage truck could be so much fun! Large, over the top tires, lights, and bumper make this animated trash truck character completely enjoyable for kids! Large letters allow children to learn the alphabet. In Japanese.
Pigs aplenty, pigs galore!
McPhail, David
Paper Book
One minute, the narrator is quietly reading. The next, pigs are descending on his house--and head--in every imaginable getup, by every available means, from every possible place. Boisterous action, goofy expressions, and wildly-colored costumes make this a "pig-out" that children will love....
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.
I am Abraham Lincoln
Meltzer, Brad.
Paper Book
Each picture book in this series is a biography of an American hero, told in a simple, conversational, vivacious way, and always focusing on a character trait that made the person heroic. The heros are depicted as children throughout, telling their life stories in first-person...
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...
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...
The little engine that could
Piper, Watty
Paper Book
"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..." Discover the inspiring story of the Little Blue Engine as she makes her way over the mountain in this beloved classic--the perfect gift to celebrate the special milestones in your life, from graduations to birthdays and...
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...
Vamos a cazar un oso
Rosen, Michael
Paper Book
In this classic English rhyme, a father, four children, and a dog embark on a bear hunt that takes them through fields, across a deep river, and into a dense forest to find a bear in a cave.
The relatives came /
Rylant, Cynthia
CD
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'...
First the egg
Seeger, Laura Vaccaro.
CD
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, Dr.
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES 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. COMING IN 2026 AS A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE...
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! One of The Atlantic's 65 Essential Children's Books I do not like green eggs and ham....
Duck on a bike /
Shannon, David,
CD
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...
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.
Caps for sale
Slobodkina, Esphyr
CD
Since it was first published in 1940, millions of children have savored this story about a peddler, his caps, and a band of very mischievous monkeys.   Now fans will cherish this special anniversary edition that commemorates seventy-five years of this...
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly
Taback, Simms.
CD
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,...
Noisy Nora
Wells, Rosemary.
Paper Book
Feeling neglected, Nora makes more and more noise to attract her parents' attention.
The lady with the alligator purse
Westcott, Nadine Bernard.
Paper Book
Children's Poet Laureate Mary Ann Hoberman's bestselling Sing-Along Stories are perfect for reading together, with over one million copies sold in all formats. You know the song, but you've never heard it like this! A familiar melody with uproariously funny new...

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