Every year I recount the books I’ve personally read, but over the last two and half years I’ve read hundreds, if not thousands, more. These are the books moms read most: children’s books.

When Bronson was a baby, I read at least a half dozen books to him everyday. As he got older and more wiggly and more opinionated, reading time shrunk. He usually sticks to one or two titles at a time, and we read them over and over until I can hardly stand them. But much to my surprise as Bronson found his voice, I realized all along he was memorizing many of the more worn books from his shelf.

Unfortunately for Oli, reading is less consistent with the second son, but lately, I’ve noticed his favorite books are the same books Bronson loved at his age.

So, based on these two very similar boys, I think these books have universal kid-appeal:

• I Love Colors by Margaret Miller was both baby’s first favorite book. They love the little girl on the cover and find the baby’s smiles infectious.
• Peak-A Who? by Nina Laden has bright illustrations and a mirror at the end. What baby doesn’t love to see their own adorable face?
• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell is a lift-the-flap book that Ryan and I memorized and would often quote (even sans book) to calm Bronson. It’s simple illustrations are appealing, and though I don’t appreciate the books conclusion (that puppies are perfect for keeping), it’s a children’s classic worth owning.
• Quack Quack, Maisy by Lucy Cousins is Oli’s own discovery. He loves the noises in this simple book!
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin is another classic tale. This book has grown well with Bronson. At first he loved the illustrations, especially the page filled with children’s faces, but now it’s a good way to test his colors and animals. Oli likes to flip the pages.
• I Met a Moose in Maine One Day by Ed Shankman is the best Maine children’s book I’ve found. Moose books are very popular in our house, and this rhyming book is my personal favorite.
• If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff is our favorite of the Numeroff books (mouse a cookie, pig a pancake, etc.). Again, we love our moose. And muffins have Mimi associations at our house, so basically it was a winner before we even flipped the first page.
• Three Bears of the Pacific Northwest by Richard Lee Vaugh is Bronson’s current favorite book. I happen to love it, too, and Oli thinks it’s an excellent drum. The tale travels around Washington state from Mount Rainier to Puget Sound to Olympic National Park with awesome illustrations of the PNW.
• Curious George Stories to Share by Margret and H.A. Rey was just taped back together. I think that’s a good indication that it’s loved.
• Meet Us At the National Parks by Andrew Johnson is another one of my favorites. In rhyming verse, it covers many National Parks and Historic Sites. It’s a unique book, and I love all things National Park.