2026 Blogging A to Z Challenge: Early Literacy
It’s already day five of the 2026 Blogging A to Z Challenge and today, we’re talking Early Literacy or great books that didn’t fit in another category! Early literacy is providing kids with all the skills they need before they begin reading and writing, think how to use a book, letter sounds, shapes, etc. These are all essential skills that kids learn by having caregivers share books with them. So, this open-ended book list includes titles that I couldn’t fit into any other category, but are ones that I wanted to include. Some are diverse titles, some are nonfiction, while others are interactive.
But, what I want to point out most, is that I often have parents ask me at the library, “What should I be reading to my baby?” and the answer is actually very simple – anything. Reading with littles is about creating an environment that feels safe and fun and loved, it might be about what you’re reading, but it’s often about how you’re making your baby feel. And when a baby feels safe and loved and has fun, they equate those feelings to books and in turn, you start creating a reader!
This list provides wonderful examples of interactive board books – books that are both reading material and toy. You’ll fund slides and flaps, textures, and more with interactive board books. All of these interactive parts help to encourage little ones to play with books and learn how to use them, information that is considered a valuable early literacy skill for kids! So, don’t be afraid when two little grabby hands want to touch and hold (and maybe chew!) on a book – that’s what we want, kids using books and experiencing them!
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2026 Blogging A to Z Challenge: Early Literacy
Copy That, Copy Cat! Inventions Inspired by Animals by Katrina Tangen, illustrated by Giulia Orecchia
There’s no need to invent the wheel if nature has one we can steal — learn all about BIOMIMICRY! From sonar to snowshoes, discover examples of how human copy things found in nature to create inventions that help us everyday. Clever riddles and cut-out clues invite readers to play a guessing game, and then turn the pages to reveal surprise answers that show how inventions mimic biology, with additional information under flaps.
Hide and Seek in Nature: Guess What It Is by Helena Haraštová, illustrated by Serafima Kosikava
What’s hiding behind the leaves? Who’s peeking through the grass? Hide and Seek in Nature: Guess What It Is invites children ages 3–6 to explore the clever world of camouflage and surprise. Each page is a playful challenge—look closely through die-cut windows and fold-out flaps to uncover animals and plants hiding in plain sight.
This beautifully illustrated interactive book turns learning into an adventure, teaching kids how creatures use disguise to survive in their habitats. From forest floors to garden corners, every spread is packed with fascinating facts and vibrant art that spark curiosity and observation skills.
Whether your child loves animals, enjoys puzzles, or simply wants to discover the wonders of nature, this book is a joyful blend of play and education.
How Are You? by Édouard Manceau
It’s okay to have feelings! And it’s never too early to encourage young children to talk about how they feel, whether it’s happy, sad, and everything in between. In this very simple but effective board book, young children can respond to how the character feels, and think about their own feelings.
My Animal Sounds by Xavier Deneux
Moo! Baa! Oink! The animals are talking! Sound chips provide the interactive element to Xavier Deneux’s high-contrast illustrations of familiar animals. What does the dog say? How about the elephant? Young readers can find out by pressing the pages. What fun!
My Hair Is Like Yours by St. Clair Detrick-Jules, illustrated by Tabitha Brown
Cornrows, curls, fros, and swirls! How do you wear your hair? Featuring photographs of real kids whose hairstyles match those of family and friends, little ones will love seeing themselves mirrored in these pages and in the world around them. Beautifully photographed by St. Clair Detrick-Jules and with vibrant illustrations by Tabitha Brown, this timeless children’s book celebrates community and joyful self-expression.
No More Sleeping In by Anne Wynter, illustrated by Letícia Moreno
Mommy, Daddy, Sister, and even Kitty are sleeping in, but our little toddler is about to change that with a PAT, KNOCK, CLAP, and BANG! This energetic, rhythmic board book invites the reader to join in on the fun of waking everyone up to play.
On Powwow Day by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight
This eye-catching, interactive board book is sure to keep toddlers engaged. Count one through ten as you make your way through the day of the powwow, looking for colors, family members, jingle dresses, musical instruments, and tribal citizens in this introduction to a traditional Native event.
Puddle Song by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Monique Felix
There is something about the smooth surface of a puddle that beckons to children to disturb it–they want to see how the water splashes upward, to feel the droplets on their skin. This poetic, illustrated board book gives voice to the puddle as it invites the “stompers and jumpers” to explore its rippling water, offering to act as both dance partner and mirror onto the world.
Welcome to the Cactus Hotel by Brenda Z. Guiberson, illustrated by Megan Lloyd
Welcome, welcome, to the Cactus Hotel.
Many desert animals make holes and nests on the great arms of this giant cactus.
Spring time is extra busy when the flowers bloom. This is the season for sweet nectar, fluffy pollen, juicy red fruit, and shiny black seeds. Yummm!
With simplified text and new illustrations, this board book allows the youngest child to enjoy and understand the helpful connections between the Cactus Hotel and those beautiful, busy and varied guests. A new generation of little ones will become immersed in this nonfiction board book about desert wildlife.
2026 is my eleventh year participating in the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year, my theme is Board Books for Babies with a focus on providing book suggestions that parents and caregivers can share with, of course, babies, but also toddlers and preschoolers! Each letter of the alphabet will focus on a different subject and will provide nine titles for each subject. While there are dozens of classic board books out there, this list includes titles published in the past 5-6 years, so you’ll get to learn about new titles, authors, and publishers! Stop by daily to check out the new books and other posts that I’ll be sharing in April.
