Concept Books
“Children who are read to learn two things: First, that reading is worthwhile, and second, that they are worthwhile.” Laura Bush
Concept books have always had a place in classroom and family libraries.
Books can be a tool to support children's learning journey as they learn shapes, numbers, days of the week, and the alphabet. When books connect a story to concepts, children are more engaged. The following list includes a variety of timeless favorites and newer titles. Each book includes suggested questions as you talk and read with children. Be open to using concept books differently and respond to individual children's interests and questions.
Featured Favorites
Alpha Block by Christopher Franceschelli, Illustrated by Peskimo (2013)
Alpha Block is an engaging and interactive alphabet book that will appeal to young children and the adults who share it with them!
Creatively designed, the pages of this board book encourage readers and listeners to identify and explore the letters' physical features.
Each letter is a cut-out page allowing children to see and touch the features of the letter. The illustrations hint at each letter's words, allowing children to guess the words revealed before turning the page. This cleverly designed alphabet book is an excellent home or classroom collection addition.
Ages 1-4 years
After The Story
Use this book when discussing features of the letters. Let children trace the shapes with their fingers and then trace them in the air.
Play a guessing game using the hints for each word. Encourage children to guess the word before turning the page. Teachers and parents might also use this opportunity to introduce the beginning sound of the word.
Make a classroom alphabet book and work with children to think of new words and illustrations for each letter.
Bear is Awake!: An Alphabet Story by Hannah E. Harrison (2019)
It's as much a rollicking winter adventure as an alphabet book!
One wintry day, a bear looks out from his den, awake! Aa is for awake, and Bb is for the "big bear" who wanders from the woods toward
"cozy cabin" for letter Cc. This alphabet book is also about the adventures between a young girl and the big bear. The fun illustrations add to the silly story as they spend the day in town. As the day ends, she tucks him back into his den and his winter nap.
Ages 3-7 years
After The Story
Have children retell the story, adding details to the plot created by the illustrations. Encourage children to make faces to go with the feeling words like excited, grumpy, quiet, and sulk.
Talk about the words for each letter that might be unfamiliar to children. Words like intrigued, outlandish, uncertain, and kaput may not be familiar to children.
Big Bug by Henry Cole (2014)
The ladybug looks enormous on the book's cover, but turn the page, and the same ladybug looks tiny on a leaf. A flower's close-up appears enormous, but the flower is tiny next to a big dog with a change in perspective. The crisp, bright illustrations cleverly introduce unique relationships as the perspective changes. The simple text follows a predictable pattern using just the object and its size, big or little.
Ages 3-7 years
After The Story
Once children understand the pattern, reread the story. Children will want to join in and help read this book.
Take the book outside! Tuck it into your bag for storytime at the playground, park, or yard. After reading, invite children to find big and little items to share and create their own story using what is available in the environment. Take photos and make a classroom book or family slideshow.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (1969)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar should be in every early childhood classroom and home. This timeless treasure by beloved children's author Eric Carle is an entire preschool curriculum in one book! Concepts like the days of the week, counting, the life cycle sequence from egg to caterpillar to butterfly, and learning about healthy and snack food are covered. The beautiful art of Eric Carle is an artistic treasure and encourages children to explore collage creations.
(Ages baby and up)
After The Story
There are endless ways to respond to The Very Hungry Caterpillar!
Ask children to recall the sequence of events in the story. Talk with children about how the caterpillar changed. What other things change as they grow?
Encourage children to count what the caterpillar ate each day. They can touch the die-cut circles as they count. Talk with the children about the foods the caterpillar ate on Sunday. Why did he have a stomachache, and what made him feel better?
Consider sharing an informational text with children to build background knowledge about caterpillars. National Geographic Kids Caterpillar to Butterfly by Laura Marsh is a great choice. Use it as a reference to support children's curiosity or to generate new questions about caterpillars and butterflies.
Round As A Tortilla: A Book of Shapes by Roseanne Greenfield Thong Illustrated by John Parra (2013)
The best places to look for shapes are familiar objects in a child's environment. This delightful, colorful picture book encourages children to find shapes like round sombreros, triangle chips, and rectangle flags. Children will enjoy the rhyming text and invitation to find and name more shapes. Included in the glossary are definitions of Spanish words.
Ages 3-5 years
After The Story
Encourage children to answer the questions in the text. "Round are tortillas and tacos, too. Round is a pot of Abuela's stew. I can name more round things. Can you?" The illustrations offer opportunities to find more shapes.
If they do not speak Spanish, encourage children to look for clues in the text and illustrations to identify the Spanish words. Look at the person making the stew. Can you tell me what the word "Abuela" means?
Ask children to think about their day. Can they think of shapes they noticed? Did the food they ate have a shape? What shapes did they see in their car?
More Favorites
Animals From A-Z: Exploring The Americas by Amelia Hepworth Illustrated by Carolina Buzio (2021)
Ages Baby-3 years
A Parade of Elephants by Kevin Henkes (2020)
Ages 1-4 years
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (1967)
In English and Spanish
Ages Baby -5 years
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert (1989)
If you are looking for a Chicka Chicka fun with numbers, check out Chicka Chicka 1 2 3 by Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, and Lois Ehlert (2004)
Ages Preschool and up
Color Dance by Ann Jonas (1989)
Ages 3-8 years
Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert (1996)
Ages Preschool and up
From 1 to 10 by Mies van Hout (2017)
Ages Baby-5 years
Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers (2005)
Ages 2-5 years
100 Snowmen by Jen Arena, Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin (2013)
Ages 2-7 years
Shapes by Shelley Rotner and Anne Woodhull (2019)
Ages 2-7
So Light, So Heavy by Susanne Strasser (2018)
Ages Baby to 3 years
Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews (1995) by Donald Crews
Available in Spanish
Ages 2-6 years
Ten Tiny Babies by Karen Katz (2011)
Ages 1-5 years
What’s Up Duck? By Tad Hills (2008)
Ages 1-3 years
Where Is The Green Sheep by Mem Fox Illustrated by Judy Horacek (2004)
Ages 1-4 years
Ideas for Sharing Books with Children
Rocking and Rolling. Exploring Math with Infants and Toddlers: The Joys and Benefits of Math-Based Books and Language
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/jul2018/joys-benefits-math-based-books-language
Everyday Steps to Reading and Writing
https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/everyday-steps-reading-and-writing
Library Connections
Check Out the local library in your Wyoming community. Librarians are an excellent resource and can help you find the perfect books for your classroom, program, or home. If you can’t get to your local library, try the Libby App! Use your local library card and access the Libby App for children’s books on your phone, tablet, or computer.
https://library.wyo.gov/find-thousands-of-e-books-and-audiobooks-in-gowyld-with-libby