There are so many amazing books out there for babies and children. It can be overwhelming trying to narrow down the books that you should have for your kids. I wouldn’t even know where to start if someone asked me to come up with a list of the most important books for kids to have. However, I do think that all kids can benefit from having a few Priddy Books on their shelves.

Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post.

In Jim Trelease’s amazing book The Read-Aloud Handbook, he explains that during the toddler stage, parents should be acting as the “welcoming committee”, introducing kids to the world around them. He lists Roger Priddy’s First 100 Words as a great resource to help you do that. Priddy Books offer a simple but colorful introduction to items in the world around you. We were given a couple of copies of First 100 Words when my daughter was first born, and it has always been one of her favorites. Each page shows clear photographs of every day objects on vibrant, colorful backgrounds, each with the name of the object listed underneath in large text. This layout is not only interesting for little ones to look at, but also provides tons of opportunities to teach kids about the world and expand their vocabulary.

Why We Love Them

One of the copies of First 100 Words that we received was a large hardcover version that I would open for her when she was very young and leave out on the floor. I would point to the objects and state clearly what they were, or would point out where we had them in our house. I would talk to her about the familiar items in the book as well. (That baby is in the bathtub. It looks like your bathtub!”).

As time went on, she was able to start pointing to the correct objects when I read the word off the page. This eventually turned into her saying the word when she pointed to it. Now that she is almost 3, she still enjoys looking at the book, but now I ask her more difficult questions. What is orange on this page? What object on this page flies? You can continue to adapt this book for your child’s needs for years to come!

More Ways to Learn

In addition to the First 100 series (of which there is a wide variety), Priddy Books also offers lots of other books for babies and toddlers that encourage active learning. From wipe off books and sticker books to lift the flaps and novelty books, there is a little something for all the little learners in your life. I love that all of their books introduce various concepts through large illustrations and photographs and simple text. I have included them on several of my recommendation lists in the past, including my list of transportation books for kids, as well as my list of great books for babies!

The manipulative aspect to their books make them excellent first books for little ones who need something else to occupy them while they are being read to. The heavy duty construction of their books also makes them a great option for a child’s first library because they hold up. My little one has put our First 100 Words books through the ringer with the amount of “love” she has shown them, and yet they are still together.

Learn more about reading to little ones in the post: Great Books for Babies! 

Encourage reading from the beginning!

There are so many ways that you can use these books to teach your kids. Providing kids with books from the very beginning instills a familiarity and comfort level with books that will build a foundation to a love of reading. My daughter may just be “reading” the pictures in her First 100 Words book, but she believes that she is reading a book, and that goes a long way in making her feel confident as a reader.

In addition, the wide range of First 100 books gives kids a chance to build background knowledge in a variety of subjects. This not only helps them to be a better reader down the road, but also gives them lots of opportunities to practice using their knowledge in the world. I can’t tell you how many times my daughter has pointed something out to me and shouted, “Just like in my book!”. It is heartwarming every time. She even has a miniature version of the First 100 Words book that goes with us when we leave the house. (It’s her favorite entertainment in the car!). This has given her even more opportunities to compare the photos to what she sees in the world.

Interacting with Books

Reading aloud to kids should be an interactive experience and Priddy Books offer a jumping off point for a variety of conversations and lessons. Instead of just reading the words off the page, encourage your kids to talk about what they see. Where do they see these things in your home? Do these items look familiar? As they get older, you can continue asking them questions, and challenge them to categorize the items on the page, or find a certain item. The great part about Priddy Books is the incredible amount of ways that you can use them!

Did your kids have any of the Priddy books when they were younger? Share in the comments below!