Children’s Books to Support Growth: Recommendations by Emotions, Developmental Stages, and Key Moments

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Reading with our children is not only an act filled with love and connection but also a unique opportunity to nurture their emotional, social, and cognitive development. Through books, we open a world of lessons, imagination, and unforgettable moments that will stay with them for life. That’s why, in our preschool library, we carefully select stories that cater to the different stages and needs of little ones, always with the goal of enriching their growth. In this article, we share a curated list of children’s books recommendations for growth, designed to support children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development at every stage.

Children’s Book Recommendations to Support Growth

Below, we share some of our library’s favorite books, accompanied by brief reviews of how they can be useful for you and your children in day-to-day situations. Additionally, some of these books are available as resources for parents to enjoy at home, strengthening the bond between classroom and home reading.

Books for Every Stage

Each stage of childhood brings new skills and interests, and books can be a wonderful tool to accompany this development. Here are some tips on what to look for based on your little one’s age:

• 1 to 2 years old

  Books with large illustrations, textures to touch, and few words. At this age, children enjoy repetitive stories and rhymes, such as Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle.

• 2 to 3 years old

  Short stories with familiar characters and basic concepts like colors, shapes, or everyday actions. Great examples include From Head to Toe by Eric Carle and Who Am I in the Garden? by John Hansen and Mel Matthews.

• 3 to 4 years old

  Books with simple plots and themes related to emotions and personal experiences. An ideal choice here is The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, which addresses feelings of separation and emotional security.

Books to Explore Emotions

In our library, we pay special attention to books that help little ones understand and manage their emotions. Here are some of our favorites:

• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

  Perfect for the first days of school or moments of separation. This story reminds children that their parents' love is always with them.

• When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry... by Molly Bang

  A wonderful story to teach children how to handle anger in a healthy way.

• The Color Monster by Anna Llenas

  A beautifully visual resource to help little ones identify and understand their emotions.

• The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

  Ideal for explaining how emotional connections transcend time and space.

• Ish by Peter H. Reynolds

  A delightful lesson about creativity and self-acceptance.

Join our family to give your child the best foundation for the best future — schedule a guided visit to ABCnMe.

Other Day-to-Day Themes

Not all books have to focus on emotions. Many stories and tales can be useful for specific situations or fostering basic skills:

• Transitions

  Books that address topics like potty training, sleeping alone, or adapting to new changes, such as Ready to Go: Poop by Marta Drew.

• Imagination

  Tales that nurture creativity and curiosity about the world, like The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.

• Learning

  Books about colors, shapes, animals, or daily routines, helping children understand their environment. Recommendations include Shapes by Active Mind, Count by Denise Fleming, and Children’s First Cookbook by Annabel Karmel.

Where to Find These Books

If you’re in Panama City, Panama, some of these books can be found in specialty stores like El Hombre de la Mancha Kids or in children’s book sections at establishments such as Arrocha, El Machetazo, Gran Morrison, Félix B. Maduro, and others. Some toy stores also have sections dedicated to children’s books. If unavailable locally, you can purchase them online.

At ABCnMe, we are always searching for more books to expand our library and offer an even richer selection for our community.

An Invitation for the Future

As we’ve shared these recommendations, we also aim to be a valuable resource for you, the parents. In an upcoming article, we’ll explore books designed to support you in the wonderful yet sometimes challenging journey of parenting. These titles will provide practical tools to address concerns, strengthen bonds, and guide your child’s development.

For now, we invite you to create unforgettable moments with your little ones through the magic of books. Happy reading!

Join our family to give your child the best foundation for the best future — schedule a guided visit to ABCnMe.