Years ago, when I e-mailed David Tolk to ask permission to use his beautiful song on this site, he wrote back with a comment that still warms me today:  “Some of my most cherished moments in life have been spent reading children’s books to my little ones at bedtime.  Thanks for your great work.”

Though I was undeserving of his second sentence, I well-understood the moments he wrote about . . . cozy moments, magical moments, in a reading chair or on the couch with my little “son”shines.

Now, my youngest sister (the first little one I remember reading to) is expecting her first child.  I want her and her sweet baby girl to have every imaginable joy!  So, dear Allison, this is for you . . .

My List of Don’t Miss Memory-Makers:

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd

Prayer for a Child by Rachel Field, illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones

I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak, illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church

When Mama Comes Home Tonight by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Jane Dyer

The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin

Oh My Baby, Little One by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by Jane Dyer

Emily’s Balloon by Komako Sakai

Once There Were Giants by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Penny Dale

Some Things Go Together by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Ashley Wolff

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Sheila McGraw

I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt, illustrated by Cyd Moore

Next to You:  A Book if Adorableness by Lori Haskins Houran, illustrated by Sydney Hanson

Your Nursery Is an Everywhere by Carol Bullman, illustrated by Maureen McAfee

(Update 4/1/21:  I’m so excited to add my own book for babies to this list!)

Other “Must-Reads” for the Toddler’s Bookshelf:

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Mary Engelbreit’s Mother Goose

The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone, illustrated by Michael Smollin

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman

Llama Llama Home with Mama by Anna Dewdney

Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Jen Corace

Olivia series (the ones by Ian Falconer)

Jamberry by Bruce Degen

Quick as a Cricket by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Don Wood

Ten in the Den by John Butler

Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert

Honey Baby Sugar Child by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by Susan Keeter

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Oh, there are so many wonderful gems!  If anyone has a favorite book for babies/toddlers I’ve forgotten to mention, please add it in the comments box below!