Our Book List

Yesterday as I was reading Rylie the requisite three books before nap time, I started thinking about all of the many, many picture books I have read (and read and read) over the last twenty-seven months. We started reading to Rylie almost from day one. She was mostly oblivious at that time, but we were awash in the bliss of new parenthood and did not care. We love books and were so eager to share this love with our precious baby. I expect we will continue the tradition with Sophie but it has yet to happen on a regular basis. I chalk it up to the curse of the often overlooked second child. I know, shame on us, but we will soon correct this slight negligence. We still read to Rylie (and occasionally Sophie) before every nap time and bedtime, three books at least. And of all our special moments, I might cherish these the most.

In keeping with the spirit of this post, I wanted to list just a few of our current favorite story time books. These are especially beloved by one or all members of the Webb family. They are well thumbed, always read aloud, and often memorized.

Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, My World
Classics from Margaret Wise Brown. We must have read Goodnight Moon to Rylie every night for at least the first year of her life and Greg and I can still recite it word for word. To this day, Rylie’s eyelids begin to droop when she hears those first few lines. For Christmas this year, Sophie received the two companion books, My World and The Runaway Bunny (my personal favorite) and they are already in high demand in the Webb house. I can’t exactly define it, but something in these books really resonates with babies. Maybe the black/white and primary color scheme? I especially love the last lines of The Runaway Bunny. “Have a carrot,” said the Mother Bunny.”

Someday by Alison Meghee
Rylie is not nearly as enamored with this one as I am. It’s really intended more for mommies and grand mommies, I think.

Bear Snores On, Bear’s New Friend, Bear Feels Scared, Bear Stays Up for Christmas, Bear Wants More by Jane Chapman and Karma Wilson
WE LOVE BEAR! These books had to grow on me but they are really cute books. Rylie loved them long before I did. The rhyming story is fun to read aloud.

I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
Also a Christmas gift. Sweet and funny, it’s about a mother’s unconditional love.

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
Stumbled on this book at Barnes and Noble and fell in love. I knew Rylie would relate to the little owls’ separation anxiety and it really has helped reassure her that Mommy always comes back.

The Napping House by Audrey Wood
During those difficult sleep resisting days, I always looked for books about napping. Rylie loves to find the mouse in each picture.


Books Are for Reading, Not Eating by Suzy Becker
Sophie’s favorite. A simple book for small babies, complete with chewable teething corners.

Who Is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate
I especially love this book for Christmas time, but we read it all year. The nativity animals prepare for a visit from Mary, Joseph, and a soon to be born baby Jesus. We taught Rylie her animals and animal sounds using this book.

The Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?
Eric Carle. Enough said, right? Like millions of kids before her, Brown Bear taught Rylie colors and animals. We are just now getting into The Hungry Caterpillar, but Rylie is learning to count with him. She gets a greedy look in her eye when we see the smorgasbord of junk food he eats in one day.

Sisters by David M. McPhail
I picked this out after I knew Sophie would be a girl. Rylie loves it, I love it, and one day Sophie will love it. It is all about how two very different sisters can still “love each other very much.” The first time we read it, Rylie pointed to the picture of the little girls hugging and said “Mommy, that is Rylie and that is Sophie.” She totally got it.

Biscuit the Little Yellow Puppy by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Simple books, but we like them. I read Rylie and Sophie the Biscuit Touch and Feel books. We have Biscuit’s First Easter, Biscuits Halloween, and Biscuits Christmas. A fun and tactile way of learning about holidays.

Hello Sun by Dayle Ann Dodds
This book consistently stays in heavy rotation. Rylie is obsessed with it, and has actually begun to sight read some of the words. Also has given her a pretty firm grasp of precipitation and weather appropriate clothing, strangely enough.

All Fall Down and Clap Hands by Helen Oxenbury
Features chubby, rosy cheeked babies learning motor skills. One of Rylie’s first favorites, and now one of Sophie’s. Plus it’s very short and quick to read for those kinds of days. You know the ones I’m talking about.

The Potty Book for Girls by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Rylie is fascinated with Hannah and her bare booty. Good potty incentives within these pages.


I love to talk books, so please share. What’s on your child’s book shelf?