What do you buy a toddler for Christmas? It is mind boggling how fast these little people accumulate stuff. Being a mom of 3 girls, (and having the first granddaughter on my side, and the first grandchild on my husband’s side) meant we had a lot of toys in our house.
My girls were the only grandkids for a long time before my husband’s nieces came along. And as Christmas came around, I began to ponder what to giftwrap for them. This particular Christmas, we had two under the age of 1-year-old and a 4-year-old to buy for.
As a mom, and a teacher (I homeschool, and it so counts), I thought about some of the favorite books I have read over and over again to my kids and thought, “why not?”
The first year of my experiment, and trying to keep my shopping in a budget, I picked out board books appropriate for their ages:
Corduroy by Don Freeman
There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly by Lucille Colandro (my sister does the best voices for this book!)
Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen (my kids’ favorite!)
And not only are these books classic tales beloved by children for ages, but I also included a cute plush that coordinated with their book, for them to snuggle with while they were being read too. And yes, I found a plush fly that was adorable.
This year’s books were found at Barnes and Noble, and I am more than excited for them!
Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin
Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
The Mitten by Jan Brett
Can you guess the plush I have selected to incorporate with their books??
I found an adorable chicken plush (that I may have thought to keep for myself!!), the official Little Blue Truck plush, and I handmade mittens for my last gift.
Reading to your children spells out LOVE for them. It will also increase their own love for reading, comprehension, and increases brain development.
So, though a book may not be as exciting as the newest toy on the shelf, for little toddlers it could mean the world to have a loved one sit and read to them. And the options are endless on what book to choose!
Please share your favorite children’s books in the comments for all of us to benefit from!
