When I was pregnant with my identical twins, putting together a library for them was at the top of my to-do list. I’ve always been obsessed with books, and hoped that my kids, either by nature or nurture, would inherit the same love. I knew that some stories I would be able to read to them while they were still babies, but many would have to wait until they were a little older. Still, both my husband and I wanted to start with a collection of our favorites…and go from there.
Of course, there was Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny, Babar and Curious George. But with every birthday and holiday, we’ve been introduced to even more incredible books that weren’t around when I was little. Books that I look forward to reading almost as much as my boys do, with beautiful prose and inspiring stories and empowering messages that make me want to high-five the authors.
I read to my boys ever single day, and have since they were just a few months old. When they were babies, I would prop them up in their bouncy chairs, and hold a book in front of them, pointing out the pictures and trying to make them smile with a silly voice or funny sound. Now, they pick out their own books, and know some of their favorites by heart (obviously just by ear and pictures–no, they aren’t reading prodigies). Every night before bed, we snuggle up on the couch, and read at least two stories–we might skip the teeth-brushing, but never the books! I don’t know if it was all of the exposure, or if they come by it naturally, but three years later, my boys are book lovers. And I’m thrilled!
Because my kids love books so much, I can’t stop buying them. It’s like a small addiction that I just can’t quit. Truthfully, I’m not sure anyone needs as many children’s books as we have. Still, I do think there are some essentials that every little boy should have in his collection. With that in mind, here are what I consider to be the must-have reads for little guys under 5…
5 Books Every Boy Should Read Before Age 5
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The Story of Ferdinand
The Story of Ferdinand is about a gentle bull named -- you guessed it -- Ferdinand, who would rather sit in the shade and smell the flowers, than snort and charge and stomp around like the other bulls. When he's accidentally chosen to face the matadors in the bull-fighting ring, he refuses, and instead, just sits down to enjoy the scenery. This classic teaches little guys a timeless message -- that it's okay to be different, and it's especially okay to be a kind and gentle boy.
Photo: Amazon.com
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Where The Wild Things Are
In Where The Wild Things Are, Max is eager to make mischief "of one kind or another", so he's sent to bed without supper. Well, no biggie for him, because his imagination takes him to a world of funny-looking creatures who play and party and parade around, with Max as their leader. With its whimsical artwork and playful storytelling, it will inspire every boy to create his own anything-goes fantasy world.
Photo: Amazon.com
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I Stink!
Who knows what it is about garbage trucks but, for whatever reason, most boys are obsessed with them. If your little guy goes racing for the window on trash day, then he'll love hearing this stinker trunk recount a typical day of picking up your smelly trash in the book I Stink! There is funny language, large-print words that mimic the loud noises the truck makes, and even an opportunity to learn the alphabet as he goes through his haul that day (think Dirty Diapers, Puppy Poo, and Year-old Yams). Yes, it's kind of gross, but your boys will think it's pure comedy. Consider it prep for the preteen years.
Photo: Amazon.com
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Hug Time
While Hug Time might not be as well known, this rhyming tale is a favorite in our house. Jules the kitten is "so filled with love, that he wanted to give the whole world a hug." So he sets out on an adventure, traveling the globe and cuddling up to the exotic -- and endangered -- species he meets on every continent. The obvious message is that a little bit of love goes a long way, but there's an underlying theme about embracing the environment and all of its creatures. I swear, it's so well done that you'll find it more cute than corny.
Photo: Amazon.com
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Little Blue Truck
In Little Blue Truck, Blue is a cheerful, friendly pick-up truck, who always has a greeting for the farm animals he sees along the country road. When a big, mean dump truck gets stuck in the mud, good-guy Blue tries to help...and gets stuck himself. Luckily, his animal pals rush to his aid, and they all learn that "a lot depends on a helping hand from a few good friends." Obviously, there's a message about helping others, but toddlers can also learn their animal noises from Blue's back-and-forth with his buddies.
Photo: Amazon.com
