Top Books to engage your curious toddler's minds

As a parent, there is nothing more heartwarming than seeing your child's face light up with joy when they discover the magical world of books. Books not only stimulate their imagination but also foster a love for reading and learning. In this blog post, I am excited to share with you some of my child's all-time favorite books that have captivated their imagination and sparked their curiosity.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt:

"We're going on a bear hunt. We're going to catch a big one. What a beautiful day! We're not scared!" This classic picture book, written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, takes young readers on an exhilarating adventure through various landscapes in search of a bear. With repetitive and rhythmic text, it invites children to actively participate in the journey, making it an interactive and engaging read-aloud experience. The stunning illustrations add to the excitement, making it a timeless treasure for every child's bookshelf.



Press Here:

Herve Tullet's interactive masterpiece, "Press Here," introduces children to the enchanting world of cause and effect. The book encourages young readers to follow a series of simple instructions like pressing, shaking, and tilting the book to witness magical changes on the next page. With each action, colorful dots multiply, change positions, and grow, sparking endless giggles and astonishment. This book not only entertains but also helps develop essential motor skills and cognitive abilities in a playful and imaginative manner.



Leapfrog 100 Words Book:

Learning to read is an exciting milestone for any child, and the "Leapfrog 100 Words Book" is the perfect companion to this journey. Packed with vibrant images, this interactive book introduces early learners to essential words and their pronunciations. With touch-and-feel elements and audio support, children can hear the words spoken aloud, reinforcing their vocabulary and language skills. Whether it's animals, colors, or everyday objects, this book makes learning fun and engaging, laying a strong foundation for language development. They have a bilingual English and Chinese version too.



Interactive Sing Along Nursery Rhymes:

Music and rhymes have a special place in every child's heart, and the "Interactive Sing Along Nursery Rhymes" book brings the joy of music into the reading experience. One book focuses on one nursery rhyme, this interactive book features movable parts that your child can push/pull/slid/spin. As children sing along, they enhance their phonemic awareness, rhythm, and memory skills. This book is a delightful way to bond with your child through music and nurture a lifelong love for rhymes and songs.

We have Old Macdonald with lots of cute farm animals and Wheels on the Bus.




Ditty Bird Audio Books:

An enchanting addition to our collection, the "Ditty Bird Audio Books" have captured our child's heart with their captivating songs. These interactive audio books feature musical buttons that play familiar tunes and sounds, immersing our little one in a world of auditory delight. Not only do they encourage listening skills and language development, but they also foster a love for music. Our baby is often dancing and clapping along to the tune.

Each book features 6 songs, with a button on each page to play the song.


You can find 2 versions online, the one with Chinese cover (~$12 each) and one with English cover which costs $22 each. The contents and song are all in English so I chose the Chinese version. I've heard that the English cover version is more lasting though from other mummies.

The Gruffalo:

"The Gruffalo" by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler has captured our child's imagination like no other. This whimsical tale follows a clever mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark woods. Encountering various animals, the mouse invents a fearsome creature called the Gruffalo to escape being eaten. However, the mouse is in for a surprise when the imaginary Gruffalo turns out to be real! This beautifully written and illustrated story celebrates wit and bravery, making it a beloved bedtime favorite.

We ended up buying the whole set of 10 Julia Donaldson books as it's way cheaper than buying individually and the stories are all so engaging, usually with an interesting twist at the end.


Conclusion:

Books hold the key to unlocking a world of wonder, knowledge, and imagination for young minds. The five favorites I've shared have been instrumental in my child's development, sparking their creativity, curiosity, and love for reading. Whether it's going on a bear hunt, exploring interactive play, building vocabulary, singing along to rhymes, or staying busy with tactile activities, these books have been cherished companions in our journey of discovery and learning. As parents, let's continue to nourish our children's love for books, opening the door to a lifelong adventure of learning and growth. Happy reading!

What's your favourite? Share in the comment below!

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