Our Top 20 Toddler Books

After making our Top 10 Gifts List, I knew I had to make a list of our favorite books. We read books at least three times a day, usually more. These are the ones Judah comes back to over and over. Most of these are going to be board books since they are for toddlers. :) All of them are definitely gender neutral! (There are a few truck related ones but girls can like those too of course!)

1. Go! Go! Go! Stop! -- Judah adores this book and it is personally my very favorite. This is gonna make me sound like a total English nerd (and I am) but there are SO many literacy skill elements in this book. On one page it goes through all of the machines and what they are doing with alliterated action verbs and adverbs (i.e. "mixer mixed marvelously", "tow truck towed terrifically"). It teaches how go and stop are opposites and that green means go and red means stop. It teaches teamwork, balance, and the importance of rest. It teaches problem solving. The pictures are fun. I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT THIS BOOK, Y'ALL. But I'll stop before this paragraph gets longer than the book itself. :)




2. A is for Apple (Trace and Flip) -- Judah LOVES the alphabet and this book has cultivated that love. It's the best simplified ABC book that I've found. Each page shows the capital and lowercase letter and two things that begin with that letter (one hidden under a flap!). It has arrows for the child to trace their finger over the letter. Judah will sit down unprompted and go through this entire book by himself.



3. Goodnight Moon -- Classic and a best seller for a good reason. The pictures are easy to look at and Judah loves to find the little mouse on each page.




4. Dr. Seuss's ABC -- I have this book completely memorized we have read it so many times. Such a fun rhyming book that you can almost sing as you read it.




5. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom -- Another alphabet book, but very different. At first I thought this book was a little strange. But as Judah got a little older he started to be crazy about this book. He asks for it every day. The very last pages have the whole alphabet on them and he loves to point at the letters as we sing the ABCs.




6. The Going to Bed Book -- Another one I have memorized, this one is a good QUICK read for bedtime or anytime. :)




7. Where's Spot? -- A classic lift the flap book that is super entertaining for Judah.




8. My Big Word Book -- This one is the updated version of the one we have but it is such a great word teaching book!




9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar -- Judah loves the holes in the book and all of the counting.




10. Baby Einstein 12 Board Book Block Set -- A set of tiny books that don't have plots or anything but Judah loves them and they are so handy to have.




11. Moo Baa La La La -- This book cracks Judah up and is another adorable one from Sandra Boynton. He loves to say all of the sounds the animals make as we read it.




12. Who's At Home -- A unique flap book, this one goes through woodland animals and where they live.




13. Little Blue Truck -- Judah didn't become attached to this book until recently (around 20 months) but it has always been one of my personal favorites. Now he loves it!




14. I Love You Night and Day -- Such a sweet book that we especially love to read at night.



15. There's a Wocket in My Pocket! -- Judah thinks this book is SO funny.



16. Snap! Snap! Guess the Animal! -- This is a lift the flap book, but the flaps cover the whole page which makes it quite dramatic when you open them.



17. Little Zebra (finger puppet book) -- There is a whole line of these finger puppet books that are so cute and fun.




18. Things That Go -- This covers such a wide range of vehicles with great pictures.




19. Baby Sophie la girafe: First Words -- A sweet lift the flap book. Judah learned all the words in this book very quickly although some of them are definitely European terms (like "brick" instead of "block").



20. The Jesus Storybook Bible -- The only one on the list that isn't a board book. This is usually what we read from every day at breakfast. I look forward to it every time because it helps ME spiritually! SO GOOD!





Happy book shopping! This is not an exhaustive list by any means, just some of our favorites. Feel free to leave some suggestions for us too!

*Affiliate links used, but all opinions are mine as always!*

What I Read in 2015 & 2016 Reading List

I had to share some of the books I read last year and what I'm reading now/this year. I'm so passionate about this and force book ideas on people all the time so I figured I'd compile a list here. :) I'm only going to share nonfiction because I honestly don't read fiction that much anymore and that depends so much on random personal preferences. And I'm not going to make many comments because I'm sure Amazon reviews would be more in depth anyway, haha.

The books on the left are some that I read in 2015, and the books on the right are ones that I'm currently reading or am going to read this year.

I have MANY more on my Kindle since that is my primary reading tool these days and I can find such good deals on there! Some of them will be included in the lists.

What I Read in 2015

• Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot
• You and Me Forever by Francis & Lisa Chan -- I actually stopped reading this because I want to go through it with Jordan. Otherwise I was trying to relay to him every chapter because it's so good!
• For the Love by Jen Hatmaker
• Give Them Grace by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick -- Has been a good way to get my mind set on showing our kids the gospel in everyday life. Can be overwhelming, but has excellent ideas.
• Make it Happen by Lara Casey
• The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst
• The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller -- This is a short and NECESSARY read. Get it.
• The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
• Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
• Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

Read These NOW -- These three books pertain to issues that are currently hot topics in our culture. That's why I'm suggesting you read them sooner rather than later. It can be so easy to stay in my little bubble and these helped open my eyes beyond my personal perspective. Along with the book by Scott Sauls in my 2016 list which I would group along with these, I just haven't finished that one yet.

• Counter Culture by David Platt
• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson 
• The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield

Parenting Books

• The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins -- Great reference for breastfeeding!
• Baby Wise by Gary Ezzo -- This book can be controversial but I didn't see it that way at all since I just took it as suggestions and ideas. The eat/play/sleep cycle is what Judah really liked and what I really learned from in this book.
• Moms on Call by Laura Hunter & Jennifer Walker -- Written by pediatric nurses, this book of bullet point lists was GREAT and something I have referred back to quite a bit. 
• Childbirth Without Fear by Grantly Dick-Read -- This was old and at times laughable but the whole concept of getting rid of fear which leads to tension and pain made so much sense to me and helped me quite a bit in Judah's birth.

2016 Reading List

• The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions
• ESV Reader's Gospels -- The four gospels without chapter or verse separations, basically in regular book form. 
• Jesus Outside the Lines by Scott Sauls -- I've already read half of this since I got it for Christmas and it is EXACTLY what I needed to read right now. I've been so weighed down by arguments in real life but mainly on social media and how I should handle that as a follower of Jesus. This is thought provoking, convicting, and SO good so far. 
• Jesus Continued by JD Greear
• Now You're Speaking my Language by Gary Chapman
• To Live is Christ To Die is Gain by Matt Chandler
• Openness Unhindered by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield
• Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman -- 99 cents on Amazon today only! (1/5/16)
• Scary Close by Donald Miller
• Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes
• Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full by Gloria Furman
• The Skeptical Student by Timothy Keller

Parenting Books

• Moms on Call Next Steps Baby Care by Laura Hunter & Jennifer Walker
• Sticky Faith by Kara E. Powell & Chap Clark
• Disciplines of a Godly Family by Kent & Barbara Hughes
• The Dr. James Dobson Parenting Collection

The above list is one of the books I actually have and will definitely read this year. I'm sure many more will be added to this list as I check them out of the Kindle Library (best invention ever, check your local library website) and acquire more. I welcome your suggestions!

I also read fiction but have to be really careful about that as I can get sucked in and it takes too much of my time. This is also possible with nonfiction of course, but it happens to me more easily with fiction. Reading can be an idol for me and I have to guard against it! Unless I'm reading the Bible of course. I usually save fiction for trips and vacations. :)

What I'm Reading Link-Up: February 2014

Welcome to the What I'm Reading Link-up! Here's how it works:

• I post my monthly reading list on the first Tuesday of the month.
• I also let you know what books I loved from the previous month.
• You can link a blog post of your reading list using the link-up feature, or you can just leave a comment with the books you're reading if you don't have a blog.
• If you link-up your blog post, please acknowledge this link-up within your post. :) You can use the image included in this post.
• I will leave the link-up/giveaway open for the rest of the month.
• In the following month's link-up, I'll announce the WINNER of the book giveaway. The winner will get to pick a book from ANY of my reading lists - including Books I Loved in 2013.

My goal is to make this an excellent resource of book suggestions for you that will enrich your life! And, selfishly, I highly enjoy reading everyone's recommendations. :)

Thank you to those who linked up or commented on the last What I'm Reading Link-Up! The winner of the giveaway according to the random number generator is.... #1! Renee Green! YAAYYY! I will send Renee a book of her choice to add to her reading list. :)

Okay, so this month my list will be pretty short, because hey. It's February. And I'm not done with The Help yet so I still need to finish that. It's great so far! Again, I wish I had read it before the movie. But oh well. The other books from my previous list are wonderful, but I already talked about them because I had already been reading them for a while when I posted last time. 

My February 2014 Reading List:

1. 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker

This is a book I bought months ago but couldn't start until I finished a couple other studies. I asked my mom if she wanted to do it with me and she said yes, so we are about to start it! I'm excited! (I got the second one listed here, the member book.) Has anyone done this already? I'm kinda scared, but I know that I NEED to focus on this.

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess By Jen Hatmaker Disturbed by her family's comfortableness with American excess, Jen Hatmaker writes in 7 about their unique social and spiritual decision to live by a rule of seven - reducing material possessions and distractions in seven areas (food, clothes, spending, media, possessions, waste, and stress) in order to connect with a greatly increased God.

7 Experiment: Staging Your Own Mutiny Against Excess, Member Book By Jen Hatmaker

2. A Love That Multiplies by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar

Because their first book fascinated me, and because this one was approximately $2.97 at the time, my mom got me this book for Christmas. I enjoy reading about their habits and disciplines, even though our family has not multiplied yet. Haha. :) 

A Love That Multiplies: An Up-Close View of How They Make It Work By Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar America's popular "mega-household" shares the fundamentals that keep them focused on family, financial repsonsibility, fun---and faith. As you discover the parenting challenges the Duggars face and the simple life principles they teach their children, you'll realize that what works for them can work for you, too! Includes a special chapter on homeschooling.

3. A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George

This book was highly recommended by a woman at our church whom I greatly admire (and her sweet daughter Paris who's in our youth group!) so I knew I must read it. My mother-in-law gave it to me for Christmas so I'm pumped to dive in!

A Woman After God's Own Heart, Updated and Expanded Edition By Elizabeth George This very popular selection for personal and group study is filled with rich advice, spiritual wisdom, and practical applications. With passion and personality, Elizabeth George shares how a woman can follow God and seek His heart in every area of her life including her husband, her children, her home, her walk with the Lord, and her ministry. There is peace and purpose for the woman who prepares her heart and mind to embrace God's plan every day. This new look complements other bestselling titles by Elizabeth George.

So that's it for the month! We have a little getaway for the two of us planned so I'll be happy to have some reading time. :) (Secondary to my time with Jordan of course...)
Link up below or comment with your reading list for the month and you could win a new book! 


Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post, but all opinions (as always) are my own.  Also, I do not support everything each author mentioned says or writes. The only book that is completely all truth is the Bible!

What I'm Reading Link-Up: January 2014

Welcome to my first What I'm Reading Link-up! Here's how it will work:

• I"ll post my monthly reading list on the first Tuesday of the month. (With the exception of this one!)
• I'll also let you know what books I loved from the previous month.
• You can link a blog post of your reading list using the link-up feature, or you can just leave a comment with the books you're reading if you don't have a blog.
• If you link-up your blog post, please acknowledge this link-up within your post. :) You can use the image included in this post.
• I will leave the link-up/giveaway open for the rest of the month.
• In the following month's link-up, I'll announce the WINNER of the book giveaway. The winner will get to pick a book from ANY of my reading lists - including Books I Loved in 2013.

My goal is to make this an excellent resource of book suggestions for you that will enrich your life! And, selfishly, I highly enjoy reading everyone's recommendations. :)

My January 2014 Reading List:
1. One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer
This is actually one that I accidentally left off my 2013 list and I don't know HOW I did that. It is so, so good. This is about the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land and how only one in a million of them actually made it there. (Joshua and Caleb were two of two million.) She challenged me to move beyond what a standard "Christian" does and into life abundant like Joshua had. I love Priscilla Shirer and highly recommend this! 

One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land By Priscilla Shirer

2. Platform by Michael Hyatt
If you are a blogger, sales person, have an online shop, or want your business to have a presence online then you MUST read this. I haven't read anything more helpful and practical about building a platform online. The author knows his stuff because he's been so successful building his own platform, and he also used to be the CEO of Thomas Nelson publishing. The book is broken up into short chapters with almost all of them having a list of ways you can build your platform in a specific area. LOVED it and will be referring back to it often. You can go to Michael Hyatt's blog to get a glimpse of how helpful he is!

Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World By Michael Hyatt

3. Love Does by Bob Goff
I got this for Christmas from my bro-in-law (thanks, Joseph!) and have been reading it ever since. So far, so good! This book has generated a lot of buzz, and I knew I had to read it due to the stories about Bob Goff in Donald Miller's book that I referred to in my 2013 list. This guy is downright inspiring. It's basically a collection of stories from his life telling about the crazy awesome things he has done. Some of the stories I'm like how in the world?? but they're so unique and detailed that I know he can't be making this stuff up, haha. I love how he relates each story to Jesus and His crazy love for us. It's a fun and inspiring read for sure.

Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World By Bob Goff

4. The Jesus-Hearted Woman: 10 Leadership Qualities for Enduring and Endearing Influence by Jodi Detrick
This is a book I got at the Influence Conference that I've been enjoying recently. I'm not going through it quickly as I'm taking the time to answer her questions after each chapter. So far I've loved how she talks about having "graceful confidence" -- meaning being bold in leadership for the Lord through His power, but in a humble way that gives glory to Him. I like how she has pointed how some ideas that are new to me since I've read quite a bit on this topic.

The Jesus-Hearted Woman: 10 Leadership Qualities for Enduring and Endearing Influence By Jodi Detrick

5. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

A fiction book! Can it be?! Haha. I've had this on my nightstand for months now and just started reading it. I actually have the edited version that is borrowed from my sister-in-law (sorry I've had it so long, Anna!). By edited I mean most of the foul language is marked out with a pen by my mother-in-law. :) Haha! I loved the movie and knew I had to read the book. So far I keep wishing that I had read it before seeing the movie (which is what I ALWAYS try to do) because I keep picturing the characters in the movie and remembering what happens. But I'm still really liking it. I'm only a few chapters in and tears have welled up in my eyes approximately five times. 


I'm going to try to finish those before I add any more onto the list. And I need to read the books I already have in my possession, so that's what I'm doing. :) Go ahead and link-up if you want to or leave your reading list for the month in the comments!
Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post, but all opinions (as always) are my own.  Also, I do not support everything each author mentioned says or writes. The only book that is completely all truth is the Bible!