Top Children’s Books for Speech and Language Development

“Remember, the best part is not just reading the books but also engaging your child in conversation, asking questions, letting them add to a story with words and phrases and creating new language with literacy.”

As a speech-language pathologist, I get to dive into the magical world of children's books every day, and if my bookshelves could talk they would tell you I have a bit of an obsession! 

There's something about watching kids light up as they explore the wonders of language through books. Not only do I love books, but I love sharing them with friends!

I'm excited to share some of my top picks for children's books that nurture speech and language development. I have divided them into categories that promote engagement and language learning. (Amazon affiliate links included on titles)

BOOKS WITH INCORPORATED MOVEMENT

Who says reading has to be a sit-still activity? Incorporating movement into storytelling is a genius way to keep those little minds engaged. So, get ready to wiggle, jump, and roar as you read some fantastic books that'll have your kiddos imitating animal moves and dancing with joy!

Movement helps kids attend to longer stories. By incorporating movement it builds imitation skills and assists with memory or concepts.

1. Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia

2. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Rosen and Oxenbury

3. Press Here by Herve Tullet

4. Is Everyone Ready for Fun? By Jan Thomas

5. I’m a Dirty Dinosaur by Janeen Brian

6. Toot Toot Beep Beep by Emma Garcia

7. Tap Tap Bang Bang by Emma Garcia

8. Plinka Plinka Shake Shake by Emma Garcia

9. 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed Eileen Christelow

10. Stir Crack Whisk Bake by America’s Test Kitchen Kids

BOOKS WITH REPETITIVE TEXT

Children's books with repetitive text are like musical earworms that stick in your head (in the best way!). They'll have your little ones predicting what comes next and filling in the blanks like pros. So get ready for some rhyming, rhythmic fun!  Familiar text  helps children comprehend the story and remember due to repeat phrasing.

1. Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson

2. Too Many Carrots by Katie Hudson

3. The Seals in the Bus by Lenny Holt

4. The Bear Came over to My House by Rick Walton

5. Today is Monday by Eric Carle

6. Thank You Mr. Panda by Steve Antony

7. Brown Bear Brown Bear by Eric Carle

8. Polar Bear Polar Bear by Eric Carle

9. The GingerBread Baby by Jan Brett

10. Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle

11. Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin

12. Pout Pout Fish books by Deborah Diesen

13. Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough

14. Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. Shaw

15. I say Ooh You say Aah by John Kane

LIFT THE FLAP BOOKS

Surprise! There's nothing quite like the excitement of lifting a flap to reveal hidden treasures within a book. These interactive gems not only captivate kids' attention but also help target important language skills like answering questions, predicting what's behind that flap, and learning about "open and close" concepts.

1. Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell

2. Oh Dear by Rod Campbell

3. Peek a Who by Nina Laden

4. Open the Garage Door by Christopher Santoro

5. Find Spot books by Eric Hill

6. Do Cows Meow by Salina Yoon

7. Gotta Go Buffalo by Haily Meyers

8. Tree by Britta Teckentrup (Peek through book)

9. Inside Outside by Lizi Boyd (Peek through book)

10. How Does Bunjee Feel?: An Interactive Lift Flap Book by Josie Mott

INTERACTIVE BOOKS

Moveable parts and tasks to complete during storytime? Yes, please! These interactive books keep those little hands busy and their minds buzzing with curiosity.Interactive books keep kids engaged and moving with moveable parts. Kids love to have a task during book reading!

1. Nita’s Day by Kathy McMillian (sign language)

2. Nita’s First Signs Kathy McMillian (sign language)

3. Find the Duck by Stephen Cartwright

4. Find the Puppy by Stephen Cartwright

5. All Better by Henning Lohein

6. The Cheerios Play Book by Lee Wade

7. Print and Laminate Books by SpeechieTrish

8. Hey, Seymour Books by Walter Wick

9. Drive the Firetruck and Drive the Car by Dave Mottram

10. Poke-a-Dot: Construction Vehicles (Board Book with Buttons to Pop) and other “Pop” books by Melissa and Doug

11. Hi-Five Farm! (A Never Bored Book!) by Ross Burach

CHAIN OR CIRCULAR STORIES

Wait, did the story just go back to the beginning? You bet! Chain or circular stories are like literary roller coasters that take you on a looping journey. Not only are they entertaining, but they also help reinforce storytelling skills and make kids feel like master storytellers themselves.

The storyline is linked so the ending goes back to the beginning in these books. 

1. The Napping House by Audrey Wood

2. If you Give a….. Books by Laura Numeroff

3. I know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a …Books by Various Authors

4. Little Blue Truck Books by Alice Schertle

5. 5 Little Ducks  by Various Authors

6. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

WORDLESS OR LIMITED TEXT

Who needs words when pictures can speak a thousand of 'em? Wordless or limited text books are a feast for the imagination. They encourage kids to create their own stories, build vocabulary, and improve their narrative expressive language skills.

1. Carl’s Birthday by Alexandra Day

2. Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

3. Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis

4. Mix it up By Herve Tullet

5. Moo Baa La La La by Sandre Boyton

6. Maybe by Chris Haughton

7. Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

8. Flashlight by Lizi Boyd 

9. Big Bear Little Chair by Lizi Boyd

10. Let’s Go Puppy by Holly Rosensweig

11. Wishy Washy: A Board Book of First Words and Colors for Growing Minds by Tabitha Paige

12. Gravity by Jason Chin

 Let the language adventures begin!

Remember, the best part is not just reading the books but also engaging your child in conversation, asking questions, letting them add to a story with words and phrases and creating new language with literacy. Happy reading! 📚✨