Spring Books Recommendations
Frog hats, worm sandwiches, and a toy rabbit comes to life!
Welcome to Little Readers and Talkers, where I share tips for supporting little ones as they grow into confident talkers and budding readers. If you’re looking for more support, check out my on-demand and downloadable resources and one-on-one support options.
If you love Little Readers and Talkers, I’d be so grateful if you shared it with friends who’d enjoy it too! It means so much to have this community grow, and as a little thank-you, I’ve got some fun perks for you when you refer others.
Here’s how it works:
Spread the word! Use your referral link below (or the “Share” button on any post) to invite friends to subscribe. You can text it, email it, or post it on social media—whatever feels right!
Get rewarded! When friends join through your link, you’ll unlock some exciting benefits as a thank-you.
I appreciate you being here, and I can’t wait to keep reading and learning together!
Spring is all about new beginnings—warmer days, blooming flowers, and of course, new books to explore with your little one! As a speech therapist, I know that the best books for babies and toddlers aren’t just fun to read—they also help build early language skills in the most natural way.
I’ve put together a list of six must-read books that encourage talking, interaction, and playful learning. Whether you're snuggling up for storytime or looking for ways to boost your child’s speech development, these picks are sure to bring fresh energy to your reading routine.
Let’s dive in and find some new springtime favorites!
“Rain!”
“Rain!” is a fun story about a little boy and a grumpy man who see the rain in very different ways. The boy loves the rain and splashes in puddles, while the man complains about it. With colorful illustrations and simple, rhythmic text, this book is perfect for read-alouds. It’s also a great choice for building early language skills, with lots of repetitive phrases and action words like “hoppy” and “splish-splash,” helping little ones learn new words in a fun, engaging way!
Bonus: This book is a great pick for little ones learning to name and navigate big feelings.
Reading age: 1-4 years
Get it from Amazon | Bookshop | Target
“The Digger and The Flower”
The Digger and the Flower is a gentle, heartwarming story about a big, tough digger who unexpectedly becomes friends with a delicate little flower. When the digger is sent to clear the land, he comes across the flower and, instead of destroying it, he carefully moves it to a safe place. As the flower grows, the digger learns that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. With its beautiful illustrations and simple, thoughtful message, this book is perfect for read-alouds and teaching kids about compassion and respect for nature. It’s a lovely choice for helping little ones understand the importance of caring for the world around them.
Reading age: 2-4 years, but it makes a great book for supporting socioemotional development for preschool and elementary ages.
Get it from Amazon | Bookshop | Target
“The Little Rabbit”
“The Little Rabbit” is a sweet story about friendship, adventure, and a little bit of magic. On a windy spring day, Ollie takes her favorite toy rabbit outside—and suddenly, it comes to life! The two explore the meadow together, but when a big gust of wind blows in, Ollie has to find her way back to her friend. With beautiful illustrations, gentle colors, and a touch of sparkle, this book is perfect for springtime reading or a cozy bedtime story. A great pick for little ones who love animals and magical adventures!
Reading age: 4-8 years
Get it from Amazon | Bookshop | Target
“The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals”
“The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals” is a funny story about a man who doesn’t like animals—at all! No matter what he does, animals keep showing up in the most surprising ways. As he spends time with them, he starts to realize they’re not so bad after all. With fun illustrations and a silly story, this book is perfect for read-aloud time. It’s also a great way to help kids understand how feelings can change and how sometimes things aren’t as bad as we think!
Reading age: 4-8 years
Get it from Amazon | Bookshop | Target
“So Tortoise Dug”
“So Tortoise Dug” is a sweet and simple story about Tortoise, who decides to dig a hole. As he digs, he discovers all sorts of interesting things underground, and along the way, his friends stop by to help—and sometimes get in the way! With gentle text and charming illustrations, this book is perfect for read-alouds and teaching kids about patience and problem-solving. It’s also great for helping little ones with early language skills as they enjoy the fun of Tortoise’s adventure. A lovely pick for quiet reading time!
Reading age: 4-8 years
Get it from Amazon | Bookshop | Target
“Worm Makes a Sandwich”
“Worm Makes a Sandwich” is a hilarious and engaging story about Worm, who might be little and have no hands, but is determined to make a sandwich just for you! To get started, all he needs is one thing—garbage! With apple cores, mushy grapes, broccoli bottoms, and more, Worm and his friends eat the garbage. Then, they do what everyone does after eating garbage—poop! That poop goes into the compost, which helps grow the vegetables for your sandwich in the garden. It’s a fun and silly way to learn about composting from start to finish! With its playful text and fun illustrations, this book is perfect for read-alouds and introducing kids to the process of composting, all while laughing along with Worm’s sandwich-making adventure."
Reading age: 3-7 years
Get it from Amazon | Bookshop | Target
More Support, Just for You 💛
I love sharing speech and language tips and book recommendations with you! If you’ve found them helpful, there’s even more waiting for you with a paid subscription.
Deeper insights into your child’s communication journey
Bonus videos & printables to make learning easier
A space for your questions, with priority responses
No pressure — just an extra way to support your little one (and this space!). If it feels right for you, you can manage your subscription here: