Get Caught Reading! The Magic of Books for Every Age

a woman reading a book to a toddler Why are we so wild about reading? Because books are more than just pages and pictures—they’re keys to imagination, windows into other worlds and stepping stones for language, empathy and learning. And no matter your child’s age, it’s never too early or too late to fall in love with reading. Plus, it’s free! Your ticket to the magical world of reading is a simple, no-cost library card (find your local library).

Below, we explain the benefits of reading at every age and offer some whimsical book recommendations to spark joy at every stage.

Infants (0–12 months): Building Bonds & Brain Power

Yes, even babies benefit from books. Reading aloud strengthens the parent-child bond and helps babies learn the rhythm of language. Choose books with high contrast images, simple words and lots of repetition.

Try:

Look, Look! by Peter Linenthal
Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children
Hola, Jalapeño! by Susan Middleton Elya (great for bilingual households!

Toddlers (1–3 years): Words, Wiggles & Wonder

a toddler holding a book Toddlers are busy little explorers. Reading helps them expand vocabulary, recognize emotions and develop listening skills. Interactive stories and rhyming books are often a hit.

Consider:

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle
Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee & Tonya Lewis Lee
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Preschoolers (3–5 years): Imagination Takes Flight

A woman reading aloud to a child At this age, stories become even more magical. Children begin to connect with characters and themes. Books can also celebrate diverse voices and experiences.

Check out:

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell

Elementary Kids (6–9 years): Growing Minds, Big Ideas

As children learn to read on their own, books help them build confidence and explore big feelings, friendship and identity.

Consider:

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds
Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott

Tweens (10–13 years): Identity, Adventure & Empowerment

Older kids crave stories that reflect their lives or take them on thrilling journeys. Reading becomes a personal escape, a mirror and a megaphone.

Try:

New Kid by Jerry Craft
The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez
Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Whether it’s five minutes before naptime or a full-blown weekend book binge, we hope your kids get caught reading this May. Let your kids see you reading, too; it’s one of the best ways to show them that books are treasures to be loved for life.