We have picked our favorite books about many different toddler transitions, including potty training, moving from a crib to a bed, and starting school. These titles can all be found in the Easy section of the library unless otherwise noted. |
|
|
|
The Night Tent
by Landis Blair
Watson is having trouble sleeping when he notices a mysterious light coming from under his covers, which leads him down a path through a forest and onto a magical adventure.
|
|
|
|
Love Monster and the Scary Something
by Rachel Bright
The fuzzy red hero from Love Monster struggles to overcome his fear of a hungry, scary unknown something that he hears rustling, creaking, and bumping around in the dark as he tries to muster his courage so he can fall asleep.
|
|
|
|
Go To Sleep, Monster!
by
Kevin Cornell
A whimsical twist on the monster-under-the-bed story finds little George's efforts to go to sleep overshadowed by the challenges of settling down the monster under his bed, who claims there is another monster under the floor.
|
|
|
|
Blanche Hates the Night
by
Sibylle Delacroix
Hating the nighttime and engaging in numerous activities to avoid going to sleep, little Blanche is repeatedly reprimanded by her mother to stop making a racket and return to bed, admonitions she responds to with riotous facial expressions that convey her frustrations.
|
|
|
|
Tiny Barbarian
by Ame Dyckman
Tiny fantasizes he is a mighty Barbarian who can conquer anything, but even he has trouble conquering the dark.
|
|
|
|
Good Night Thoughts
by Max Greenfield
A sleepless child finds tranquility when they put their racing thoughts to bed.
|
|
|
|
Dragon Night
by J. R. Krause
A boy and his dragon embark on a dazzling nighttime journey while overcoming their respective fears of the dark and each other in an imagination-sparking tale of friendship.
|
|
|
|
Sloth Wasn't Sleepy
by Kate Messner
When Sloth tells her mama that she is not sleepy, Mama Sloth knows just the thing to calm her daughter's worried mind and help her get to sleep.
|
|
|
|
Your Own Big Bed
by Rita M. Bergstein
Noticing that all the animals at the beach, in the zoo, and on his very own farm are getting bigger and bigger, a young boy realizes that he is growing too and so decides it's time to move into more appropriately sized accommodations.
|
|
|
|
Sleepytime
by Joe Brumm
Deciding it's time for a Big Girl sleep, Bingo drifts off to dreamland with Flopsy, but will she make it through the night and wake up in her own bed?
|
|
|
|
Big Bed for Giraffe
by Michael Dahl
Giraffe has outgrown his crib and needs to graduate to a big boy bed.
|
|
|
|
My New Big-Kid Bed
by Debbie Bertram
When his new dinosaur-themed bed casts scary shadows at night, a child seeks comfort from other family members.
|
|
|
|
Go Sleep in Your Own Bed! by Candace FlemingDiscovering Cow fast asleep in his sty, a tired Pig nudges the intruder back to her own bed, where Hen is found sleeping. It's a giggle-inducing story featuring an out-of-place chain reaction of snoozing barnyard friends by the award-winning author of Oh, No!
|
|
|
|
The Big Bed
by Bunmi Laditan
A loving African-American family navigates the laugh-out-loud efforts of a little girl to sneak her way into her parents' big bed, an endeavor that prompts her to drag a camping cot into the room for her father so that she can make more room for herself.
|
|
|
|
A Big Bed for Little Snow
by Grace Lin
A heartwarming companion to the Caldecott Honor-winning A Big Mooncake for Little Star celebrates the first snowfall of a child’s life in the story of a little boy who struggles to resist jumping on his fluffy new bed. 50,000 first printing.
|
|
|
|
I Am Just Right
by David McPhail
A bunny preschooler who has grown too big for his grandpa to pick up celebrates the milestones of transitioning away from the crib and tricycle to the big-boy bed, new clothes and just-right hugs. This book can be found in the Early Reader section of the library.
|
|
|
|
I Sleep in a Big Bed
by Maria Van Lieshout
A child who used to sleep in a crib celebrates graduating to sleep in a big kids' bed--even though waking up there in the middle of the night can be a little scary.
|
|
|
|
Big Bed for Little Bear
by Scarlett Wing
Is your little one almost ready to make the move from a crib to a bed? Share the story of Mama Bear and Papa Bear helping Baby Bear make the same transition! This title can be found in the Easy Board Book section of the library.
|
|
Helping Kits: MovingHelping Kits are geared toward youth and caregivers who may be experiencing a difficult situation in life, specifically addressed by the topic of the kit. Each individual Helping Kit includes 3-5 picture books on the specific topic, a list of online resources for caregivers, and activities for the child and caregiver to complete together.
|
|
|
|
Before I Leave
by
Jessixa Bagley
When her family tells her that they are moving away, a little hedgehog and her anteater best friend decide to play together one last time like nothing is changing. They discover, in spite of their sadness, that the most important things find a way of working out.
|
|
A New Home
by
Tania De Regil
Text that combines the voices of two narrators and detailed artwork of parallel urban scenes depict a girl in Mexico City and a boy in New York City who simultaneously ponder moving to each other's locale, discovering their commonalities along the way.
|
|
Birdsong
by
Julie Flett
A celebration of art, nature, and connecting across generations traces the experiences of a young girl who moves to a small town, where her friendship with an elderly fellow crafter is shaped by the seasons and her awareness of her friend’s failing health.
|
|
|
|
Ten Beautiful Things
by Molly Beth Griffin
Lily is moving into her grandmother's farm in Iowa, and she is sad about all the changes necessary in her life. On the long drive her grandmother challenges her to find ten beautiful things that they can share together.
|
|
Home Is a Window
by
Stephanie Parsley Ledyard
Moving from a beloved home into a new residence, a family discovers how they can bring everything they love about their old home to the new one because they still have each other.
|
|
|
|
We Don't Eat Our Neighbors
by Daniel J. Mahoney
After Libby and Herbert Alligator's mom lands her dream job as a pastry chef, the family is moving on up out of the slimy swamp and into a bustling town filled with houses, restaurants, schools...and people. Libby can't wait to meet the new neighbors. Herbert can't wait to eat them. And that's not okay with the folks in the neighborhood!
|
|
|
|
Little Blue Truck Makes a Friend
by Alice Schertle
When a newcomer arrives at the farm, setting all the animals atwitter, Blue knows just what to do to help his friends, old and new, feel at home.
|
|
|
|
Being Home
by Traci Sorell
Moving back to their ancestral land, a joy-filled Cherokee girl draws the changing landscape as they travel along, looking forward to the end of the journey were she'll be with family and settle into the new rhythm of home.
|
|
|
|
Lenny & Lucy
by
Philip Christian Stead
Moving to a new house beyond the dark unfriendly woods, Peter becomes homesick despite the companionship of his faithful dog and sews two giant stuffed pillow friends to stand as guardians against scary things.
|
|
|
|
Mabel and Sam at Home
by Linda Urban
A three-part tribute to moving house and imaginative play finds two children taking refuge in safe areas of their new home while the grownups organize boxes and furniture, a situation that inspires the siblings to imagine that they are sailing the high seas of the new house and touring it from their packing-crate boat.
|
|
|
|
It's Big Brother Time!
by Nandini Ahuja
A heartwarming story for first-time older brothers depicts a boy who embraces the important duties of setting positive examples and helping his family raise an infant sibling who needs to learn everything about the world.
|
|
|
|
I Love You, Baby
by
Giles Andreae
Gentle verses and endearing illustrations combine in a celebration of a new baby's welcome to the family as experienced from a toddler's viewpoint.
|
|
|
|
The New Small Person
by
Lauren Child
Feeling jealous when a new sibling arrives, little Elmore Green becomes frustrated when the 'small person' knocks over his things and licks his jelly bean collection until a special night when their relationship changes.
|
|
Roly Poly
by
Mem Fox
Loving being an only child who does not have to share anything, Roly Poly the polar bear is frustrated by the birth of a baby sibling who requires him to share his bed, fish and favorite walrus tooth.
|
|
|
|
The Littlest Yak and the New Arrival
by Lu Fraser
Gertie the littlest yak is getting ready to welcome a new arrival to the family, and that means big sister planning and big sister sharing, but she wonders whether there's enough room in Mommy's heart to love both her AND the new arrival.
|
|
|
|
Love Comes First
by Jenna Bush Hager
This book celebrates growing families as two sisters find their new family members not exactly what they wished for - until they remember that love comes first.
|
|
|
|
The Big Sibling Getaway
by Korrie Leer
To escape the nonstop, loud crying of her new baby brother, Cassie climbs into an empty box to drive, sail, and soar until she finally finds quiet...and loneliness.
|
|
|
|
Toby Is a Big Boy
by Lou Peacock
A relatable tale told through simple text and heartwarming animal artwork finds a young elephant struggling with frustration over the attention his new baby sister is receiving.
|
|
|
|
How to Welcome a New Baby
by Jean Reagan
In this funny, creative and sweet new addition to the best-selling How To series, young readers will follow along through the first year of a baby's life, learning what to do along the way!
|
|
|
|
New Baby!
by Carol Zeavin
When a new baby comes, toddlers often wonder what will happen.
|
|
|
|
Time to Go Potty!
by Becky Davies
Potty training can be one of the most difficult, stressful experiences for children and parents, but Time to Go Potty! makes it fun! This book introduces the concept of potty training in an accessible way. A sound button that plays 6 different sounds, rhyming text, and sweet illustrations make this an ideal choice for families beginning the potty-training process.
|
|
|
|
Potty Time with Pete the Kitty
by Kim Dean
Pete the Kitty makes potty time super cool, from getting ready to washing up, in this rockin' life-the-flap board book that is perfect for potty training.
|
|
|
|
I'm Not Using the Potty
by Laura Gehl
When little Egg the chick reveals a fear of using the potty, Peep tries a variety of encouraging ideas to help Egg become more comfortable with the idea of answering the call of nature.
|
|
|
|
Poop or Get Off the Potty!
by Margaret McNamara
When Mason and Mia were babies, they pooped a lot--always in their diapers. Now that they're big kids, it's time to use the potty. But what is the potty for? Naps? NO. Books? NO. Playing the drums? No, no, no! Mason and Mia look ahead to official big-kid territory in this hilarious, instructive story with special emphasis on that momentous toddler milestone: pooping in the potty!
|
|
|
|
You Poop Here
by Paul Meisel
In this introduction to potty training, animals demonstrate where they poop.
|
|
|
|
Time to Use the Potty
by Fiona Munro
Follow twins Jasmine and Jack on their potty training journey! This charming board book for toddlers is a humorous telling of the ups and downs of toilet training, helping teach hygiene practices, positive reinforcement, and that it's okay when little accidents happen.
|
|
|
|
Potty
by Leslie Patricelli
Baby, a toddler, decides to use the potty for the first time.
|
|
|
|
Chones, Por Favor! Undies, Please!
by Sumana Seeboruth
When a boy wants to wear colorful underwear just like his older brother, it's time for him to learn to use the toilet.
|
|
|
|
Dinosaur vs. the Potty
by Bob Shea
Dinosaur doesn't need to use the potty--even when he's making lemonade, running through the sprinkler, having a three-juice-box lunch and splashing in rain puddles--but wait, is that a victory dance he's doing or a potty dance? Will Potty claim the ultimate victory over Dinosaur's stubborn resistance?
|
|
|
|
Time to Pee!
by
Mo Willems
With the author's signature humor and a group of sign-holding mice, children are gently led through each step in the process that will finally bring them to their emancipation from diapers. This title can be found in the Easy Nonfiction section of the library.
|
|
|
|
I Don't Want to Go to School!
by Lula Bell
Feeling so jittery about their first day of school that neither can eat their breakfast, Mouse and Dinosaur wonder about their classmates, teacher and activities before a big surprise makes the day more reassuring for everyone.
|
|
|
|
Hello School!
by Priscilla Burris
A cozy introduction to what makes school so much fun features a diverse group of students who share first-day milestones, from getting a cubby and making new friends to taking a nature walk and participating in arts-and-crafts activities.
|
|
|
|
And Then Comes School
by Tom Brenner
Perfect for returning students and first timers alike, this lively picture book celebrates the signs leading up to the start of school, such as cooler mornings, ripening apples, and the excitement of the first day.
|
|
|
|
Lena's Shoes Are Nervous: A First-Day-of-School Dilemma by Keith CalabreseLena prepares for her first day of kindergarten and reports that while she is excited, her favorite shoes are too nervous and must be convinced by her supportive father that the day is actually going to be lots of fun.
|
|
|
|
Llama Llama Back To School
by Reed Duncan
Longing for summertime to last forever, Llama Llama is anxious about starting school until he discovers learning is fun with the help of his friends and Mama Llama.
|
|
|
|
Bear With Me
by Kerascoët
Separated from her favorite stuffed animal, Bear, on the first day of school, a little girl is anxious until she finds ways to make herself feel better while waiting to be reunited with Bear again.
|
|
|
|
Lola Goes to School
by Anna McQuinn
The book-loving heroine from Lola Gets a Cat poses for photographs, gets assigned a cubby, chooses activities, enjoys snacks, sings songs and reads alongside new friends during a first day of school.
|
|
|
|
It's Your First Day of School, Busy Bus!
by Jody Jensen Shaffer
A group of first-time students excitedly and nervously board a happy yellow Busy Bus, who has first-day jitters of his own and wonders if the children will like him, if he will be homesick, or if he will get lost.
|
|
|
|
Butterflies on the First Day of School
by Annie Silvestro
When Rosie begins feeling nervous about starting kindergarten the night before the big day, her mother reassures her that it's just butterflies in her belly, and to Rosie's surprise the next day, a butterfly flies out of her mouth when she greets a new friend at school, which helps another shy student release hers, too.
|
|
|
|
First Day Of School
by Esther van den Berg
Despite his misgivings, Robin has the best first day of school during which he skips rope, builds a tower of blocks and even goes to the bathroom by himself!
|
|
|
|
This Bear's Birthday by Alyssa Satin CapucilliResolved to prepare his birthday party all by himself, Bear dresses himself, picks apples, and makes peanut butter and honey sandwiches before accepting help with a few of his tasks, in a celebration of early independence by the creators of Not This Bear.
|
|
|
|
When I Grow Up
by Julie Chen
When a young boy imagines what he might be and do one day, his mother assures him that he can be anything and she will always be there for him.
|
|
|
|
Franklin Forgets
by
Sharon Jennings
When a neighbor leaves him in charge of some daily chores while he is away, Franklin feels responsible enough to handle the tasks. Yet after only a few days, his priorities get mixed up and soon he is forgetting to do what he promised.
|
|
|
|
Now I'm Big
by
Karen Katz
Growing up and helping out are things to celebrate in this bright, bouncy book in which a little girl considers all the amazing things she can do for herself now that she is older that had to be done for her when she was a baby, from dressing herself to reading to her little sister.
|
|
|
|
The Growing Story
by
Ruth Krauss
A little boy worries throughout the summer that he's not getting bigger, but at the end of the season he tries on his winter clothes and realizes--much to his surprise--that he has grown.
|
|
|
|
What Will You Be?
by Yamile Saied Méndez
The acclaimed author of Where Are You From? presents a stunning second picture book of self-discovery that finds a young girl and her abuela celebrating the endless possibilities that life has to offer the girl as she grows.
|
|
|
|
Birdie's Big-Girl Hair
by
Sujean Rim
When five-year-old Birdie's mother promises to take her to a salon to tame her long, unruly hair, Birdie looks at magazines and consults her friends to find the style that is perfect for her.
|
|
|
|
Grow Up, David!
by David Shannon
David follows his older brother around, annoying him and doing everything he can to make sure his brother notices him--but when David gets hurt playing, his brother is there to make sure he is okay.
|
|
I'm the Big One Now! Poems About Growing Up
by
Marilyn Singer
A collection of 21 poems by the award-winning author of Mirror, Mirror celebrates the large and small milestones in a young person's life, from riding the bus alone to becoming an older sibling. This title can be found in the Easy Nonfiction section of the library.
|
|
|
|
Lola Dutch When I Grow Up
by Kenneth Wright
Determined to decide what to be when she grows up, Lola tries several careers before listening to her friend, Bear, who reminds her that she need not be in a hurry.
|
|
|
|
Little Bunny's Pacifier Plan
by
Maribeth Boelts
Little Bunny learns to smile, laugh, crawl, dance, and even talk with his pacifier tucked safely in his mouth, but when the dentist suggests it might be time to give up the pacifier, Little Bunny is not sure he is ready.
|
|
|
|
No More Pacifier for Piggy!
by
Bernette G. Ford
Ducky wants to play peekaboo with his friend Piggy, but every time Piggy tries to smile or call out "I see you!" his pacifier gets in the way.
|
|
|
|
Bye-Bye Binky: Big Kid Power
by Maria Van Lieshout
A little girl explains that she does not need a pacifier anymore, because she is a big kid now.
|
|
|
|
It's time to Give Up Your Pacifier
by Lawrence E. Shapiro
Contains a children's story about giving up a pacifier and advice for parents. This title can be found in the Easy Nonfiction section of the library.
|
|
|
|
Pacifiers Are Not Forever
by Elizabeth Verdick
Encourages youngsters to find other things they enjoy doing and stop using a pacifier, and provides advice for parents and caregivers on easing the transition. This title can be found in the Easy Board Books section of the library.
|
|
|
