From the time I was a little girl, I’ve always loved books. I have clear memories of my mom reading me Runaway Bunny, while I sat there, totally fascinated by this morphing bunny, and comforted by the knowledge that his clever Mommy would always find a way to take care of him. As I got older, I remember reading authors like Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein, books like Charlotte’s Web, A Wrinkle In Time, and The Chronicles of Narnia. Then, I started writing my own stories, my imagination fueled by these fantastical, lyrical, page-turners.
It’s clear that a love of reading starts young, which is why I’ve been reading to my 4-year-old twins since they were just babies. It’s why I just keep buying more and more children’s books, even though we have, like, a million. I think that the more fun, brilliant, imaginative books children are exposed to, the more they will love to read. And, man, do my kids love it…just like I did.
With so many incredible books out there, it’s tough to choose my very favorites. Obviously the classics still hold up, but many of the new ones are just as inspiring. I thought about the books that I would want my shelves stocked with if I were a little girl these days. Here’s what I came up with:
15 Books Every Girl Should Read Before Age 5
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The Little Engine That Could
In The Little Engine That Could, a group of toys is stranded after their train breaks down. They desperately need to get over the mountain to bring gifts to the children there, but all of the big engines chugging by think they're way too important to waste their time. Then, along comes a little blue engine who may be small, but has the confidence -- and kindness -- to get the job done. The "I think I can, I think I can" chant of this inspiring female train should be every mighty girl's mantra.
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Olivia
A busy little pig, Olivia is “good at a lot of things,” including wearing people out. From trying on outfits to building sandcastles to singing loudly, she’s a high-energy little one that will remind tired-out parents of their own precocious firecrackers.
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What Pet Should I Get?
Every child’s library should contain at least a few Dr. Seuss books, including this brand-new insta-classic, What Pet Should I Get?. When a brother and sister visit a pet store to pick a new furry family member, they’re confronted with the ultimate paradox of choice: there are so many animals, which one should they pick?! In classic Seuss rhyming style, this fun tale teaches the simple lesson that even when it’s hard to choose, sometimes you just have to make up your mind.
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Louise Loves Art
As the title suggests, Louise Loves Art, claiming it’s her “imagination on the outside.” She wants to create a true masterpiece, but her little brother, who also happens to be named Art, loves to doodle himself. Will he ruin her greatest work? This story is for every budding artist…and understanding big sister.
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Rosie Revere Engineer
You know feminist icon Rosie the Riveter? Well, it turns out that her great-great niece, although a shy and quiet girl, is really a brilliant inventor, who sets out to build her aunt the flying machine she always dreamed of. With its adorable illustrations and go-girl message about bouncing back from failure, Rosie Revere Engineer is likely to be a favorite with your preschooler.
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Giraffes Can't Dance
In Giraffes Can't Dance, Gerald the Giraffe loves to dance, but with his crooked knees and too-thin legs, he falls all over himself...and gets mocked by the other animals at The Jungle Dance. Heartbroken, Gerald runs away, but finds encouragement after a wise cricket explains that "sometimes when you're different, you just need a different song." This rhyming tale is fun and playful, with an inspirational message about embracing what makes you different, and finding your own rhythm.
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Fancy Nancy
Girlie girls will find a kindred spirit in Fancy Nancy, a little girl who loves all things fancy, from her pen with a plume to her frilly socks to her must-have tiara. Although her family is not quite as fancy, she convinces them to join her in dressing up for a very special evening at the local pizza place. While grownups will definitely get a chuckle, it’s also a warm-hearted story about a spunky, glamour-loving little girl and her good-humored family.
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Guess How Much I Love You
Guess How Much I Love You will definitely have Mom and Dad shedding a tear or two. Little Nutbrown Hare is a bunny, trying to find the words to tell his Dad just how big his love is. Although the little one’s love is “as high as I can hop” it’s no match for his father’s even bigger love, as Dad continues to one-up his bunny son with his own larger-than-life love.
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What I Like About Me
Being the same is boring! That’s the message in this adorable book about how our differences make us special. In What I Like About Me, some of the kids have glasses, some have big feet, and some eat curry for lunch, but as this book shows, it’s our uniqueness that makes life more fun.
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Ladybug Girl
Lulu’s family may be too busy to play with her, but luckily, she has her basset hound, Bingo, and a big imagination. After donning her polka-dotted, tutu ladybug costume, she becomes Ladybug Girl, a superhero finding fun and excitement in her own backyard. Any parent will appreciate the message: With a little creativity and confidence, any kid can create her own adventures.
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The Napping House
In this classic bedtime book, a snoring granny, dreaming child, and an assortment of sleepy animals pile, one-by-one, onto a single bed inside The Napping House. The blue-green illustrations of all of these bodies, shifting in bed, combined with the lyrical writing, will mesmerize and soothe your little one…and have her drifting off to sleep in no time.
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Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon
Molly Lou Melon may be small, with buck teeth and a “bullfrog” voice, but her supportive grandma has always taught her that she’s wonderful just the way she is. When a mean-spirited bully starts taunting her during her first week of school, Molly Lou Melon stands her ground, showing everyone that you can’t easily shake a girl with self-confidence.
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Madeline
Madeline lives with 11 other little girls in a home in Paris and, although she might be the smallest among them, is certainly the bravest. Nothing scares her...not even a trip to the hospital. And only Madeline can make that seem cool. With artwork depicting Parisian landmarks and simple, rhyming prose, the Madeline series of books can charm girlie girls and tough girls alike.
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On the Night You Were Born
In the beautiful book On the Night You Were Born, polar bears dance, stars peek through the windows, and the heavens sound every trumpet to celebrate the birth of the "one and only ever you." Parents might tear up at this lyrical ode to your one-of-a-kind child, but your daughter will hear its encouraging message: That there is no one in the world quite like her.
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Angelina Ballerina
If your daughter's already a budding ballerina, she will love Angelina Ballerina. It's the tale of Angelina Mouseling, a white mouse who just wants to dance, 24/7. When she enrolls in ballet class, she finally has the chance to fulfill her ballerina dreams, and shows that, with hard work, you can achieve anything.
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