Best Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Our Favorite Family Read-Alouds

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There’s something magical about snuggling up with your little ones and a stack of good books. Whether it’s right before bedtime or on a slow morning with sleepy eyes and warm pajamas, these moments matter. Books become part of our rhythm, our memories, and our bond as a family.

Over the years, we’ve found a few favorites that our kids ask for on repeat — the ones that are practically falling apart at the seams because we’ve read them so many times. If you’re looking for sweet, silly, or heartwarming stories to add to your bookshelf (or gift to a fellow mama), here are a few of our tried-and-true favorites:

God Bless You and Goodnight by Hannah Hall
This one is a must for bedtime. With gentle rhymes and cozy illustrations, it walks through a bedtime routine for different baby animals as they get ready to sleep. It’s peaceful, comforting, and a beautiful reminder that God’s love wraps around our little ones — even in their dreams. A coworker gave me this one when I was pregnant with my oldest and we still read it weekly. Get it here.

Littles and How They Grow by Kelly DiPucchio
If you’re a mama of toddlers, this book will hit you right in the heart. It’s a joyful celebration of babies and the wild, wonderful mess that is early childhood. The rhyme is catchy, the illustrations are adorable, and it reminds us just how quickly the littles grow. This is another one that we’ve been reading weekly, if not daily, for the last five and a half years. Get it here.

There’s a Dragon in Your Book by Tom Fletcher
Get ready to giggle. This interactive book invites kids to shake, blow, and tilt the pages to help a little dragon — and it always gets laughs at our house. It’s silly, imaginative, and perfect for a wiggly storytime. This is another one that gets ready daily in our house. Get it here.

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
A classic — and for good reason. This story follows a mother and son throughout life, and let me tell you, it gets you. There has not been a single time that I’ve been able to read it without crying. It’s a simple but powerful reminder of a parent’s love — the kind that lasts forever, no matter how big they get. Get it here.

Little Owl’s Snow by Divya Srinivasan
We love this one especially in the fall and winter months. The illustrations are stunning, and the story gently introduces the concept of seasons changing. It’s calm, rhythmic, and perfect for winding down at the end of a chilly day. Get it here.

The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak
Total crowd-pleaser. Even though it has no pictures (as promised!), it’s hilarious — especially if you commit to the silly voices and nonsense words. Kids love making grown-ups say ridiculous things, and this book delivers every time. We’ve given this one as gifts, taken it to preschool, and read it with friends at home and it is always a fan favorite. Get it here.

The Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids by Phil Vischer
This is our favorite Bible for littles. It’s packed with colorful illustrations, easy-to-understand stories, and helpful explanations that point kids (and grown-ups!) to the heart of God. Each story includes a “Jesus Connection” to help little minds understand how the whole Bible fits together. We love using it for family devotionals or bedtime reading — it’s fun, faith-filled, and so approachable for kids. It’s also used in Christian preschools and aligns with the illustrations in the Minno app, which really brings the Bible to life for my kids. It can be found here.

Why Read-Aloud Time Matters

Books are more than just stories — they’re how we connect with our children, shape their values, and make memories together.

Whether you’re reading under a blanket on the couch or flipping pages at the kitchen table, these moments become part of your family’s story.


What Are Your Family Favorites?

What books are on repeat in your home? Which ones have been read so much they’ve needed tape and a little love?
I’d love to hear what stories your kids can’t get enough of. Drop your favorites in the comments or share them with me on Instagram @mountains_and_motherhood.

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