Building a Preschool Library: The Top Ten Books for Your In-Home Daycare

As a daycare provider you can help the children in your care take the first steps to a life-long love of books. The most important thing you can do is have a daily story time when you read aloud to the children.

During story time do not be afraid to act goofy from time to time. Try giving each character in the story his or her own unique voice. This will help to keep the children's attention focused on the story. If the children in your daycare program are not accustomed to hearing stories read aloud, it might be a good idea to start by reading short fingerplays and poems.

There are many terrific books for preschool children. The following list will help you on your way to building the perfect preschool library.

1. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
"Once there was a tree...and it loved a little boy." Those words move me to tears every time I open this book. This is a truly moving story about a young boy as he matures to an old man experiencing the generosity and love of a very special tree that gives and gives, asking nothing in return.

2. Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Poor Max, he's behaving so badly that he gets sent to his room with no dinner. Max doesn't mind, because alone in his room Max sales to the land of the wild things. A place where Max can be as bad as he wants to be. A magical kingdom where a naughty little boy can become king.

3. Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Doreen Cronin
When old Farmer Brown goes on a well-deserved vacation, he decides to leave his very competent brother Bob in charge with the warning "Keep an eye on duck, he trouble." No truer words have ever been spoken. Duck makes trouble by changing all of Farmer Brown's instructions to notes the animals like better such as "Tuesday is pizza night."

4. Harold and The Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Harold goes for an adventurous walk in the moonlight with a magical purple crayon that makes everything real.

5. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
What happens when you give a mouse a cookie? Well of course he's going to ask for a glass of milk. One of my all-time favorite children's books. My children are 8 and 11, and they still enjoy reading this book.

6. Timothy Goes To School by Rosemary Wells
The first day of school is filled with excitement for little Timothy until he meets his classmate, Claude. Claude wears all the coolest clothes, always knows the right thing to say, and the teacher loves him. Timothy is feeling pretty down until he meets his new friend, Violet.

7. OLIVIA by Ian Falconer
Whether she's at dance practice, at home preparing for another busy day, going to school, or getting ready for bed, Olivia is one little pig that has far too much energy for her own good. Children of all ages love Olivia's jest for adventure, and Teacher's will appreciate her mother's patience with her energetic little pig.

8. If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff
What happens when a hungry moose comes to visit and you offer him a muffin? Why he'll want some jam to go with it. A hilarious story that takes the reader through another wild romp. This story will remind you to never invite a moose into your home.

9. Rainbow Fish To The Rescue by Marcus Fister
His friends want to swim away and ignore the new fish in their group. What's the deal with those stripes anyway? Now Rainbow Fish must make a choice; does he side with his friends, or help the new fish when a shark attacks?

10. Chicka, Chicka, Boom Boom by Bill Martin Sr. and John Archambauld
What could be more exciting than watching the alphabet race to the top of the coconut tree? This is a classic ABC rhyme that children off all ages will enjoy.