🍭 Books We Love: Sweet Picks from Ivy Prep’s Library
At Ivy Prep, we believe in filling childhood with moments of wonder—and what’s sweeter than a story that warms your heart or makes you smile? Whether it’s a gentle bedtime favorite, a laugh-out-loud friendship tale, or a book that celebrates kindness, our “sweet picks” are stories we return to again and again.
Here are just a few of the sweetest titles from our shelves:
💗 Sweet Stories of Love & Comfort
📘 "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn
This Ivy Prep classic is always one of our first read-alouds of the year. A tender, reassuring story about love that stays with you, even when you're apart.
👩👧👦 Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse
Set in an Inuit village, this beautiful book explores a child’s testing of unconditional love—and a mother’s tender reassurance that her love is forever.
🫶 I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak
A simple, rhythmic board book that reassures children they are loved completely—inside and out, happy or sad, wiggles and all.
🧁 Silly & Sweet Favorites
🖍 "The Monster at the End of This Book" by Jon Stone
Grover’s dramatic (and hilarious) pleas not to turn the page make this interactive classic irresistible—even to grown-ups.
🟨 "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle
A rhythmic, predictable text that helps young readers build confidence and memory. Sweet, simple, and loved by every age.
👟 "Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes" by Eric Litwin & James Dean
This groovy cat keeps his cool through every messy twist and turn. A fun reminder to roll with whatever comes our way.
🐻 "Corduroy" by Don Freeman
The gentle story of a teddy bear waiting for a home—and a child who sees his worth—is timeless in every sense.
🧸 Calming & Cozy Bedtime Picks
🚧 "Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site" by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Perfect for little truck lovers winding down. The soft rhymes and sleepy machines make this a go-to for quiet time.
🐑 "Time for Bed" by Mem Fox
A lullaby in picture book form, this one sets a calm, cozy tone with its repeating rhythm and tender illustrations.
💙 "Guess How Much I Love You" by Sam McBratney
A sweet exchange of “I love you more” between Big and Little Nutbrown Hare. Always the perfect note to end the day.
🌙 Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
A timeless bedtime classic. Toddlers love the quiet rhythm, familiar objects, and cozy repetition that helps them feel secure.
🦙 Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
A funny-yet-sweet exploration of bedtime worries and mama’s love. Preschoolers love the rhythm and relatable feelings.
🐾 Preschooler-Approved Sweet Picks
🍪 If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Still one of the most-loved cause-and-effect stories for preschoolers. Silly, sweet, and interactive every time.
🦖 How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague
Silly dinosaur antics meet heartfelt reassurance. A preschool favorite that’s both funny and endearing.
🎨 Inspired by the Masters: Our Favorite Art Books
🎨 Katie and the Impressionists by James Mayhew
A beautiful introduction to Monet, Renoir, and Degas. When Katie visits the art museum, she steps right into the paintings! A magical blend of storytelling and fine art appreciation that preschoolers truly enjoy.
🐠 Touch the Art: Feed Matisse’s Fish by Julie Appel & Amy Guglielmo
Modern art springs to life in this interactive book featuring works by Edward Hopper, Frida Kahlo, Marc Chagall, and more. Children are invited to touch Matisse’s shimmering fish, scratch Jacob Lawrence’s chalkboard, and trace the basket weave in Diego Rivera’s Flower Carrier. Tactile elements encourage young readers to explore texture, color, and form while learning about iconic artists. A playful, sensory-rich introduction to modern masterpieces.
🖌️ ABCs of Art by Sabrina Hahn
From “A is for Andy Warhol” to “Z is for Zaha Hadid,” this book introduces kids to 26 famous artists with bright visuals and age-appropriate explanations.
🎨 Painting with Picasso (Mini Masters, Book 6)
From the sweet Mini Masters board book series, this one introduces Picasso’s work through simple rhymes and vibrant art. Short and sweet—ideal for preschool attention spans.
🔤 The Met ABC: An Alphabet Book of Art (DK x The Met)
Each letter features a piece of art from The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. A sophisticated yet simple way to blend letters with visual literacy.
💕 Bring the Sweetness Home
Bring these Ivy Prep favorites into your own reading nook? These books are handpicked to reflect the warmth and wonder we share in the classroom.
Because some of the sweetest memories begin with a book and a little one curled up beside you.
📚 Why Reading to Young Children Matters
When Should You Start Reading to Your Child?
The best time to start? From the very beginning. Even newborns benefit from hearing the rhythm of language. Reading aloud in infancy helps form strong neural connections in the brain, builds early listening and attention skills, and supports healthy speech and language development. Beyond the words on the page, these early moments of connection lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
When Can Reading Struggles Begin to Show?
Some early signs of reading struggles can begin to appear as early as the toddler and preschool years. You might notice limited vocabulary, difficulty understanding or retelling a simple story, trouble recognizing rhymes, or challenges following directions. While every child develops at their own pace, early exposure to books and rich language environments can help prevent these gaps from widening over time.
The Neural Benefits of Early Reading
Reading aloud doesn’t just support language—it shapes the brain in lasting ways. Research shows that regular exposure to books during the first five years of life strengthens the areas of the brain involved in:
- Language processing
- Auditory development
- Visual imagery
- Executive functioning (like attention, memory, planning, and impulse control)
The more vocabulary from literature a child hears, the more their brain is stimulated in ways that support future reading, reasoning, and learning.
The Lasting Benefits of Reading Aloud
Reading to young children builds more than just vocabulary. It supports development in ways that last well beyond the toddler years:
- Brain development: Listening to stories strengthens neural pathways tied to memory, language, attention, and emotional regulation.
- Language and vocabulary: Children who are regularly read to are exposed to a richer vocabulary and more complex language patterns.
- Comprehension and focus: Storytime teaches children how to listen, follow a sequence, make connections, and understand cause and effect.
- Emotional connection: Shared reading builds closeness, creating comforting routines and lasting memories.
- Imagination and empathy: Books introduce new ideas, experiences, and perspectives—helping children understand both themselves and others.
Our Favorites, Chosen with Care
The books we share at Ivy Prep—and feature on our storefront—are ones we truly love. They’re tried and true in our classrooms: the stories children ask for again and again, the ones that spark big questions, little giggles, and sweet moments of connection. From early learning books to timeless classics, these are the titles we trust to nurture bright, curious minds.
We hope you’ll enjoy them as much as we do.
A note from Ivy Prep on the lifelong impact of early reading
At Ivy Prep, storytime is more than just a daily ritual—it’s a way we connect, teach, and spark curiosity. Whether it’s a classic bedtime favorite or a silly rhyming tale that gets us all giggling, books help shape how children learn, grow, and see the world.