Five Favorite Books for Toddler Boys

I know book posts aren't my most popular, but I can't help writing them.  As a nerdy school librarian, books are my thing.  My nerdy, bloggy thing!

When Bee was born, I thought: "No problem.  I GOT this, ya'll.  This boy will READ."

Guess again.

Homeskillet wouldn't sit still for any books, not even ones with just a word on each page.

Reading with him was torture.  He hated it.  Time and time again, we'd sit down and he'd wriggle right off my lap.

Which kinda made me hate it.

I tried reading as he played.  Nope, he'd crawl in the opposite direction. 

Reading while he was in the bath.  No dice, he also hated baths.  Lose-lose.

Finally, I brought home That's Not My Plane.

First night we sat to read it at bedtime, he sat through the whole thing.  I'm not sure he enjoyed it, but he sat there.  Night #2, he touched the texture on each page as I read.  Progress.  By night #3 be was pointing at it and saying "plane, plane!"

SUCCESS!  Needless to say, the rest of the books in the series are slowing making their way into our home whenever I come across them.  And they are all tried and true favorites.

I know not all boys are reluctant readers, and certainly  there are many girls who enjoy the following books too.  But here's four additional Bee-approved books, the ones that keep him in my lap, engaged, and snuggled in for some special mama-son time.  Finally!

Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathman

Hands-down, one of my favorites.  Bee loves talking about the animals, and hearing the "goodnights" is various voices.  Plus, we snore and shhhh and gasp as appropriate... we really do "read" this one together!

Trucks, Trains, and Machines at Work by Byron Barton

LOVE.  The simple illustrations and text on Bee's favorite subject matter are a must-read every night.  I'll often find him flipping through these on his own, staring at the pictures and pointing out the moon, banana, and cars.  {note: I couldn't find new copies of Trains on Amazon, but keep your eyes open at used book or consignment sales-- I see them there often!}

Bathtime Peekaboo (and Bedtime, Playtime, etc.) by DK Books

Cute babies and patterned text make this a favorite series with both kids.  Plus, each page has large flap with something hiding behind it.  What's not to love?

Thomas the Train Box set

You have no idea the Thomas obsession going on right now in my house.  Both Noodle and Bee fight over the books that came in this little box set.  Noodle carries the box like a briefcase, tells me she's going to "work", and sneaks into Bee's room and reads them.  The text isn't super, but I'll admit A Crack in the Track is growing on me and the kids certainly love it.

Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton

I confess.  I snuck in a bonus title for me.  Bee enjoys it, don't get me wrong, but there's something about a Sandra Boynton book that I adore.  They make me giggle.  My other favorite is But Not the Hippopotamus.  Hilarity at it's finest, I tell you!

What are your favorite books for toddler boys?  

Or girls, for that matter? 

Which titles should I check out next time I'm at the library, should I decide in a moment of madness to go again?

{just kidding, we still go, but wait 'til you hear what the kids did to my husband last time they were there.  Those stinkers.}

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