Essential bookshelf staples for 3 year olds

(By Eric Litwin) Pete the Cat stays positive as his white shoes change colors throughout the day. A groovy and upbeat story about resilience and adaptability.

(By A.A. Milne) The original collection of stories about Pooh Bear, Christopher Robin, and their friends in the Hundred Acre Wood, filled with gentle humor, wisdom, and heartwarming adventures.

(By Virginia Lee Burton) Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton is a timeless story about a hardworking steam shovel named Mary Anne and her operator, Mike. When the new machines threaten their work, Mike and Mary Anne prove their worth by taking on a big project. This book explores themes of friendship, hard work, and change, with beautiful illustrations and a heartfelt message about the value of persistence and ingenuity.

(By Maurice Sendak) Maurice Sendak’s groundbreaking picture book follows Max, a mischievous boy who is sent to bed without supper and journeys to an island of wild creatures. Crowned their king, Max eventually realizes the importance of home and love. With its dreamlike illustrations and deep emotional themes, the book remains a masterpiece of children’s literature.

(By Mo Willems) Trixie, a toddler, loses her beloved stuffed bunny on a trip to the laundromat, leading to a hilarious and touching adventure. The combination of real-life photography and expressive illustrations makes this a standout book.

(By Amanda Beth Connolly) A delightful children’s book about a little boy named Jake who struggles to wake up in the morning. Through a fun and imaginative journey, Jake learns the importance of starting the day with enthusiasm and excitement.

(By Janell Cannon) A beautifully illustrated story by Janell Cannon about a baby fruit bat who is separated from her mother and raised by a family of birds. The book explores themes of identity, belonging, and friendship while celebrating differences between species.

(By Janet Ahlberg) A fun seek-and-find book featuring classic nursery rhyme characters hidden in the illustrations. Encourages observational skills and storytelling.

(By Sandra Boynton) A sweet and lyrical book about love and affection, featuring a cute little puppy. The sing-song rhymes and adorable illustrations make it a bedtime favorite for little ones.

(By Eric Carle) This beloved classic follows a hungry caterpillar as it eats its way through various foods before transforming into a beautiful butterfly. The interactive die-cut pages and vibrant illustrations help teach counting, days of the week, and healthy eating habits.

(By Julia Donaldson) The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson is a fun, imaginative story about a mouse who outsmarts a series of dangerous animals by inventing a fearsome creature called the Gruffalo. When the mouse encounters the Gruffalo for real, he uses his wit to avoid danger. The book’s clever rhymes and engaging illustrations make it an exciting, playful read that teaches courage, cleverness, and the power of storytelling.

(By Sandra Boynton) A lively, rhyming board book that brings a barnyard full of animals to life as they stomp, clap, and dance in a rhythmic celebration of movement and fun. Perfect for reading aloud.

(By Margret Rey) When Curious George swallows a puzzle piece, he must go to the hospital. This reassuring story introduces children to the hospital experience in a gentle and informative way.

(By Sandra Boynton) A hilarious introduction to colors and clothing, featuring a group of animals—one of whom keeps getting things hilariously wrong! A great book for toddlers learning about colors and patterns.

(By Audrey Wood) The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood is a delightful story about a mouse who tries to keep his strawberry safe from a hungry bear. The book\’s fun, repetitive text and colorful illustrations make it an engaging and interactive story for young readers. It\’s a great way to introduce concepts of sharing and problem-solving.

(By Cheska Komissar) A beautifully illustrated book that explores the concept of perspective, showing how four can be a little or a lot, depending on the situation.

(By Dr. Seuss) The mischievous Cat in the Hat causes chaos and fun when he visits two bored children on a rainy day, introducing them to a world of fun and imagination, all while teaching valuable life lessons.

(By Dorothy Kunhardt) Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt is an interactive and sensory-filled story that encourages children to engage with the book by touching, patting, and feeling different textures. The book follows a little girl and her bunny as they explore various activities, such as patting the bunny\’s soft fur or feeling the texture of the bunny\’s nose. It\’s a tactile, hands-on experience that promotes sensory development in young children while creating a memorable reading experience.

(By Bill Martin Jr.) A lively, rhythmic alphabet book where letters race up a coconut tree, only to come crashing down. The catchy rhymes and bold, colorful illustrations make learning the ABCs fun and engaging for young readers.

(By Sandra Boynton) A fun, rhyming board book that introduces animal sounds with Boynton’s signature humor and charming illustrations. A great read-aloud choice for babies and toddlers.

(By Robert McCloskey) Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey is a charming story about a family of ducks trying to find a home in Boston. The story follows the ducks as they navigate the busy streets and avoid obstacles on their journey to safety. With its detailed illustrations and gentle storytelling, the book teaches children about family, safety, and the importance of helping others. It\’s a delightful read for young children and an enduring classic.

(By Margaret Wise Brown) A soothing bedtime classic by Margaret Wise Brown, Goodnight Moon follows a young bunny as he says goodnight to everything in his cozy room. With its rhythmic, repetitive text and soft illustrations, the book creates a calming nighttime ritual for young children.

(By Sandra Boynton) A delightful bedtime book featuring animals getting ready for bed in a silly, rhythmic way. The playful rhymes and soothing storyline make it perfect for winding down at night.

(By Doreen Cronin) A hilarious story by Doreen Cronin about farm animals who find a typewriter and start making demands of Farmer Brown. The book introduces young readers to negotiation and problem-solving with clever humor.

(By David Shannon) No, David! by David Shannon is a delightful and relatable picture book about a mischievous boy named David who constantly gets into trouble. Inspired by the author’s childhood experiences, the book features simple yet expressive illustrations that capture David’s wild antics, from drawing on walls to playing with his food. With minimal text, mostly consisting of exclamations like "No, David!" the book conveys emotions and humor through its artwork. This book is great for teaching young children about rules, consequences, and unconditional love, as David’s mother ultimately reassures him that he is loved no matter what.

(By Ludwig Bemelmans) Ludwig Bemelmans’ iconic book follows Madeline, a brave and adventurous girl who lives in a Parisian boarding school. With its rhyming text and charming illustrations, the story highlights courage, friendship, and the beauty of childhood exploration.

(By Sandra Boynton) A rhythmic and humorous book about a shy hippopotamus watching other animals have fun, until she finally joins in. A great book about inclusivity and social confidence.

(By Ole Risom) This beautifully illustrated book follows Nicholas the bunny through the changing seasons as he enjoys nature, from chasing butterflies in spring to watching snow fall in winter. A gentle and charming read.

(By Watty Piper) The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper is a classic story about a small blue engine that faces a big challenge when asked to pull a heavy train over a mountain. Despite doubts from others, the Little Engine perseveres with determination, famously saying, “I think I can, I think I can.” This uplifting story teaches children about perseverance, self-belief, and the power of a positive attitude in overcoming obstacles.

(By Crockett Johnson) A whimsical story about a young boy who uses his imagination and a magical purple crayon to draw his own adventures. This book encourages creativity, problem-solving, and independent thinking.

(By Robert McCloskey) A timeless classic about a little girl named Sal and a bear cub who both go blueberry picking with their mothers. As they wander, they accidentally swap places, leading to a gentle and humorous mix-up. McCloskey’s detailed illustrations and charming storytelling capture the beauty of nature and the simplicity of childhood.

(By Maurice Sendak) A surreal bedtime adventure where a young boy, Mickey, dreams of floating into a magical kitchen, helping bakers prepare a cake for the morning. Filled with dreamlike imagery and whimsical nonsense, the story captures the wonder of a child's imagination.

(By Laura Joffe Numeroff) A fun, cause-and-effect story by Laura Numeroff, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie follows a little mouse whose requests spiral into a series of increasingly elaborate demands. The book introduces young readers to sequencing and the idea of unintended consequences in a lighthearted, amusing way.

(By Dr. Seuss) One of Dr. Seuss’s most beloved books, Green Eggs and Ham follows Sam-I-Am as he persistently tries to convince another character to try an unusual meal. Through humorous rhymes and repetition, the book encourages children to be open to new experiences. Its simple vocabulary and engaging rhythm make it an excellent choice for early readers.

(By Dr. Seuss) A playful and silly Dr. Seuss book filled with rhymes, wordplay, and nonsense characters, designed to introduce young readers to language, counting, and opposites. Its fun, repetitive structure makes it perfect for early reading.

(By Ian Falconer) Olivia, an energetic piglet with a big imagination, takes readers through her daily adventures filled with art, music, and mischief. The simple yet expressive illustrations and witty storytelling make this book a modern classic.

(By Marcus Pfister) Marcus Pfister’s beautifully illustrated book about a shimmering fish who learns the value of sharing and friendship. The book’s colorful artwork and important message about generosity make it a favorite among young readers.

(By Dr. Seuss) A lively and engaging introduction to the alphabet with Dr. Seuss’s signature rhymes and whimsical characters. With silly words and catchy phrases, it makes learning letters fun for young readers.

(By Dr. Seuss) Horton the elephant is tricked into sitting on an egg, but his dedication and patience lead to an amazing surprise. A classic Seuss tale about responsibility, perseverance, and doing the right thing.

(By Michael Rosen) A rhythmic, repetitive story where a family embarks on a bear hunt through various terrains. This book encourages kids to join in with actions and sounds, bringing the adventure to life.

(By Don Freeman) Don Freeman’s Corduroy follows a small teddy bear in a department store who embarks on a nighttime adventure in search of his missing button, hoping it will help him find a home. The story captures themes of friendship, acceptance, and the love between a child and a cherished toy.

(By Janet Ahlberg) A delightful holiday book where a postman delivers letters, postcards, and surprises to classic fairy-tale characters. Features interactive lift-the-flap elements that make reading even more magical.

(By Mo Willems) An Elephant & Piggie book by Mo Willems, this story follows Gerald and Piggie as they try to include a snake in their game of catch. However, since the snake has no arms, they must figure out a way to make the game work. With hilarious illustrations and a heartwarming message about inclusion and problem-solving, it’s a great early-reader book.

(By Wanda Gág) Millions of Cats by Wanda Gág is a charming story about an elderly couple who seek to adopt a cat, only to find themselves overwhelmed by millions of cats. As they try to choose the right one, the cats multiply, leading to a heartwarming and humorous conclusion. The book teaches children about love, abundance, and the importance of making thoughtful choices.

(By P.D. Eastman) A heartwarming and simple story by P.D. Eastman, following a baby bird who hatches while his mother is away and embarks on a journey to find her. The book introduces young readers to themes of curiosity, identity, and the comfort of a mother’s love.

(By Al Perkins) A rhythmic, fun-to-read book featuring a group of playful monkeys drumming on everything in sight. With repetitive sounds and simple text, it’s a great choice for early literacy and interactive reading.

(By Richard Scarry) This book takes young readers on a tour of Busytown, where they can explore different jobs, buildings, and characters, all brought to life with Scarry’s detailed and whimsical illustrations.

(By Richard Scarry) A classic collection of short stories, rhymes, and fun-filled adventures featuring adorable animal characters in the busy world of Richard Scarry. A perfect introduction to storytelling for young readers.

(By Jon Stone) The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone is a playful and interactive story starring Grover from Sesame Street. Grover desperately tries to stop the reader from reaching the end of the book, fearing the monster. As the story unfolds, Grover's antics and humorous pleas keep children engaged, making this a fun and exciting read. It’s a lighthearted way to teach kids about overcoming fears with humor and bravery.

(By P.D. Eastman) Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman is a fun, fast-paced book featuring colorful dogs in a variety of situations. The story follows these dogs as they go, drive, and explore, teaching concepts like opposites, colors, and movement. Its repetitive structure and simple language make it a perfect book for young readers just starting to recognize words and patterns. The lively illustrations and playful tone make it an engaging and energetic read for children.