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.
Tip Tip Dig Dig by Emma Garcia
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Rosen and Oxenbury
Press Here by Herve Tullet
Is Everyone Ready for Fun? By Jan Thomas
I’m a Dirty Dinosaur by Janeen Brian
Toot Toot Beep Beep by Emma Garcia
Tap Tap Bang Bang by Emma Garcia
Plinka Plinka Shake Shake by Emma Garcia
5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed Eileen Christelow
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.
Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson
Too Many Carrots by Katie Hudson
The Seals in the Bus by Lenny Holt
The Bear Came over to My House by Rick Walton
Today is Monday by Eric Carle
Thank You Mr. Panda by Steve Antony
Brown Bear Brown Bear by Eric Carle
Polar Bear Polar Bear by Eric Carle
The GingerBread Baby by Jan Brett
Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin
Pout Pout Fish books by Deborah Diesen
Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough
Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy E. Shaw
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.
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
Oh Dear by Rod Campbell
Peek a Who by Nina Laden
Open the Garage Door by Christopher Santoro
Find Spot books by Eric Hill
Do Cows Meow by Salina Yoon
Gotta Go Buffalo by Haily Meyers
Tree by Britta Teckentrup (Peek through book)
Inside Outside by Lizi Boyd (Peek through book)
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!
Nita’s Day by Kathy McMillian (sign language)
Nita’s First Signs Kathy McMillian (sign language)
Find the Duck by Stephen Cartwright
Find the Puppy by Stephen Cartwright
All Better by Henning Lohein
The Cheerios Play Book by Lee Wade
Print and Laminate Books by SpeechieTrish
Hey, Seymour Books by Walter Wick
Drive the Firetruck and Drive the Car by Dave Mottram
Poke-a-Dot: Construction Vehicles (Board Book with Buttons to Pop) and other “Pop” books by Melissa and Doug
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.
The Napping House by Audrey Wood
If you Give a….. Books by Laura Numeroff
I know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a …Books by Various Authors
Little Blue Truck Books by Alice Schertle
5 Little Ducks by Various Authors
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.
Carl’s Birthday by Alexandra Day
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis
Mix it up By Herve Tullet
Moo Baa La La La by Sandre Boyton
Maybe by Chris Haughton
Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
Flashlight by Lizi Boyd
Big Bear Little Chair by Lizi Boyd
Let’s Go Puppy by Holly Rosensweig
Wishy Washy: A Board Book of First Words and Colors for Growing Minds by Tabitha Paige
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! 📚✨
