A Look at Our Library: 18-Months-Old

Y'all.

Side note: I really want to be able to sneak a y'all or two into natural conversation. I just love it. Am I qualified now that we have lived in Tennessee for almost three years? Almost?...Sort of?...Not really even a little bit close to being qualified? Oh well. I will keep trying anyways.

End side note.

My daughter loves books.

I mean, she absolutely adores them. As bookworms ourselves, nothing makes my husband or me happier. That being said, there are some truly awful kids books out there. Am I right? The kind that make you want to rip your hair out if you have to read recite them one more time.

When all your kiddo does all day is back her cute, little booty right into your lap to read, you really need to up your library game. I am constantly on the hunt for something new and unique to add to her collection, and I am excited to share our current favorites with you today!

1. Gaston | Adorable illustrations and storyline about the true meaning of family love. A fellow blogger I admire pointed out long after I had already fallen in love with this book that it is perfect for adoptive families. 

2. Stick and Stone | The clever and rhyming shenanigans of two unlikely friends makes me smile every time. A subtle anti-bullying message is an added bonus for little ones. 

3. Plant a Kiss | My husband's current favorite. A simple but sweet lesson in the joy of giving to others. My daughter loves to feel the texture of the sparkling kiss as it blossoms too. 

4. Each Peach Pear Plum | Classic, rhyming storybook characters are hidden on each page for little eyes to find. At 18-months-old, my daughter already finds excitement in spotting them all herself. 

5. Waiting | Five toys sit and wait at the windowsill for something amazing to happen. Reminds me a little bit of Toy Story. The ending is so unexpected and made me laugh out loud the first time I read it.

6. Hedgehugs | My sister gifted this to us for Valentine's Day, so I have to give her all the brilliant credit. Horace and Hattie the hedgehogs are best friends, but they cannot hug. The solution to their prickly problem is ridiculously cute. There is a sequel coming out this Christmas, and I can't wait to snatch it up for our library. 

7. Napping House | A personal nostalgic classic. My mom read this to me often growing up, so of course I am loving reading it to my daughter. She thinks the illustrations are just as divine as I do. 

8. Cloudette | Being small doesn't mean you can't make a difference in a big way. This book is full of clever details to keep adults laughing too.

9. Where Does Love Come From? | The text in this one is just mediocre in my opinion. But my mom checked it out at library storytime while we were in Italy and taught our daughter to identify the shape of a heart. Now she exclaims, "HEART!" every time she sees one, including a million times in the card section at Target as I hunted for an anniversary card for friends. Obviously, we had to own our own copy. 

10. Hello in There!: A Big Sister's Book of Waiting | The absolute perfect lift-the-flap book for teaching big sisters about the wonder of the new baby growing in mommy's belly. 

11. Always | Sweet message about a parent's love for their little one through the good and the bad. I think the metallic illustration accents in all of Emma Dodd's books make them extra special. 

12. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear | Another favorite from my childhood that I am enjoying passing on to a new generation. The illustrations revealing mouse's journey to protect his just-picked, perfect strawberry are so vivid and heart warming. 

13. Beautiful Oops! | A must-have for all blossoming perfectionists like my own (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, folks). I have been loving the unique way this book teaches through flaps, tears, smudges, crinkles, etc. that not only are mistakes okay, but that they can be a grand adventure in creating something beautiful. 

There is not too much I can guarantee in life, but these books will make you smile. That is a fact. I hope they bring you as much joy as they bring to us daily. 

Let's swap notes! I am antsy to pick up a few of the books that bring both you and your little loves happiness as you read together. What are your favorites?