Introducing children to books early is one of the best gifts you can give them.
Books spark imagination, teach language, and build a strong foundation for early literacy.
If you are a parent who wants to raise readers, teach your kids to read, and build a lifelong love for learning, you are in the right place.

Please check out my series here on how I taught my 2-year-old to read. It contains tips, real examples, and encouragement for moms like you.

But how do you actually know how to choose books for your child?
And where can you find good books that are affordable, high-quality, and engaging?

In this post, I will walk you through my simple system for choosing the right books and where to find amazing deals to build your child’s home library.

Why Books Are So Important in Early Childhood

Research shows that children who are introduced to books early tend to develop stronger language skills, better emotional understanding, and a natural love for learning.

Research shows that children who are introduced to books early tend to develop stronger language skills, better emotional understanding, and a natural love for learning.

According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, reading aloud to children early and often promotes early brain development, strengthens parent-child relationships, and builds early language and literacy skills.
Additionally, a longitudinal study by the National Institute for Literacy found that children who are regularly read to in their early years perform better in school across subjects, not just in reading and writing.
Early exposure to books also helps children develop emotional intelligence, as stories allow them to see different perspectives, understand emotions, and practice empathy.

Beyond the research, I have seen it firsthand.
Reading has made a huge difference in my son’s life, helping him navigate real-world experiences, emotions, and even his faith.

When you understand how to choose books for your child, you are giving them a world they can explore, dream about, and grow through.

How to Choose Books for Your Child: My 5 Favorite Ways

1. Books I Naturally Love (My Personal Favorites)

I have to admit I am a huge fan of Lovevery books.
They are treasures for early childhood learning.

Why I love Lovevery books:

• They feature real children and real-life situations
• They prepare kids for experiences like visiting the doctor, potty training, and moving to a big kid bed
• They are beautifully made and durable
• They have great resale value

Pro Tip:
If you have an event coming up, like a doctor’s appointment, grab a book about it.
It makes a world of difference.

I remember taking Ari to the doctor once after reading several “visit the doctor” books.
He was not nervous at all.
In fact, he was excited!
He knew what a stethoscope was, how they would check his ears and height, and even how they would weigh him.
He was even excited for his shots!
It was hilarious and heartwarming to see the things we read about come alive.

When you learn how to choose books for your child based on upcoming experiences, you make life feel safer and more exciting for them.

💡 Pro Tip:
If you ever feel stuck on what to teach or how to support your child’s development each month, subscribe to Lovevery’s free newsletter.
They send age-specific tips, activities, and learning focus ideas — and you can use their suggestions to choose books that support those themes at home.
You can sign up here 👉 Lovevery Newsletter

2. Seasonal Books

Another way to choose books is based on the seasons.
Think Christmas, Easter, summer adventures, earth day and back-to-school stories.

Seasonal books help connect real life with what your child is reading.
It makes reading feel fresh and relevant throughout the year.

Knowing how to choose books for your child that match their real-world experiences is a game changer for building interest.

3. Books That Address Challenges

Books are powerful tools for helping children through challenges.

If your child is:

• Hitting
• Struggling to share
• Feeling anxious
• Facing big transitions

There is a book for that!

Books open up conversations in a gentle, relatable way.
When you know how to choose books for your child that speak to their current struggles, you create opportunities for healing and growth.

4. Bible Storybooks

Introducing Bible stories early is a beautiful way to plant seeds of faith.

However, it is very important to preview books before reading them to your child.
Not every children’s Bible storybook presents the message accurately or appropriately for little ones.

When I choose Bible storybooks, I look for:

• Clear, simple storytelling
• Biblical truth and faithfulness
• Age-appropriate language and beautiful illustrations
• Representation and diversity

Kindle is a great tool for this.
Many times, you can sample a book before you commit to buying it, which helps ensure that the story and message align with what you want to teach your child.

I will be sharing a full guide soon on how to choose the best Bible storybooks for your child.

5. Follow Their Interests And Fuel Them Fully

Last September, Ari got really into planets. And I do not mean casually interested, I mean full-blown, cannot stop talking about it, obsessed. It lasted almost five months.

He wanted to know everything. The names of the planets, what made each one unique, what dwarf planets were, and how rockets worked. So we leaned into it. We got books on the solar system, books that focused on each planet, puzzles, and even little planet models. We watched kid-friendly videos on space and read together every chance we got.

And honestly? He became a little space whiz. It was amazing to watch.

That is the beauty of following your child’s interests. When they are excited about something, it opens the door for deep learning. Books become tools they want to use. That is where literacy grows naturally.

So what is that one thing your child is really into right now? Whether it is numbers, animals, cars, insects, or cooking, fuel it. Do not worry about whether it is just a phase, because yes, it probably is. These interests change, but they are open, curious, and ready to absorb everything while they are in it.

Use that window. Get books on that topic. Let them explore it fully.

Because when you follow their curiosity, you are not just feeding a passing hobby. You are building confidence, connection, and a true love of learning.

Please, fuel it. That is where the magic happens.

Important Note: Always Preview Books First

Before handing a new book to your child, it is always a good idea to preview it yourself.
Even books marketed for young children can sometimes have messages or details that you may want to introduce differently or discuss together.

Kindle Unlimited makes this especially easy.
With a small monthly fee, you can borrow books, sample them, and make sure they align with your family’s values before introducing them to your child.

Choosing the right books builds trust and reinforces the values you want to nurture.

Where to Find Good Books (Without Breaking the Bank)

Here are my favorite ways to build a beautiful book collection affordabl

• Library Membership: The most underrated treasure. You can borrow dozens of books (for free!) and keep the variety fresh. Perfect for testing out new topics without the commitment.
  
• Kindle Unlimited: If you’ve been around this blog for a while, you already know how I feel about Kindle. It is a lifesaver — especially when I need quick access to books without heading out.
  I even wrote a full love letter to Kindle Unlimited right here → [insert link]
  
• Facebook Marketplace: Want books without paying full price? Marketplace is a goldmine.
  Parents are constantly selling gently used books, and you can often find bundles for the price of one.
  That is actually where I got a full set of attitude books for my son — seven books for just twenty dollars. Such a win, especially when you are trying to build a home library on a budget.
  
• Facebook Groups: Remember what I said about the resale value of Lovevery books? Yes, you heard me. You can often find those exact books (and more) inside parenting buy/sell groups. It’s also a great place to swap or sell your own when your child outgrows them.

• Amazon: Reliable, fast, and always stocked. It is especially great for themed book bundles or last-minute finds before a trip, holiday, or new routine.

When you know how to choose books for your child and where to find them, it becomes so much easier to build a home full of stories

Want a Free Book List That Actually Helps?

If you’re wondering where to start or just want a little help choosing, I’ve got you covered.

✨ You can download my free book list — a curated guide of real books I’ve read with my toddler, organized by what they’re going through, how they feel, their interests, and more.

It’s simple, helpful, and takes the guesswork out of picking your next read.

👉 Click here to download the book list PDF

Final Thoughts: Build the Habit Early

The best book is the one your child loves. Follow their curiosity, and let them lead sometimes. But most importantly, stay consistent. Developing a good reading habit early is absolutely critical in building strong literacy skills.

When kids are exposed to books every day, reading becomes a joy, not a task. I have shared before how I taught my son to read, and honestly, it was not some complicated method. It was simply constant exposure to books from an early age. Now, because he has been surrounded by so many books, he is genuinely excited and interested to read. It feels natural to him — and that is the real gift we want to give.

You are not just raising a reader. You are raising a learner for life.

References

1. High, P. C., LaGasse, L., Becker, S., Ahlgren, I., & Gardner, A. (2000). Literacy promotion in primary care pediatrics: Can we make a difference?
   Pediatrics, 105(4 Pt 2), 927–934.
2. National Early Literacy Panel (2008). Developing Early Literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel.
3. Bus, A. G., van IJzendoorn, M. H., & Pellegrini, A. D. (1995). Joint book reading makes for success in learning to read: A meta-analysis on intergenerational transmission of literacy.
   Review of Educational Research, 65(1), 1-21.