My Day: Books for Young Children

From the first moments of waking until drifting to sleep at night, these books highlight the many things young children will do during their busy day. Some books focus on a whole day's worth of activities, while others focus on certain time of day or different routines around the world. Young children are sure to recognize important parts of their day in each story.

Related Resources

At the Market

Boy and mother at market
Illustrated by: Barbara M. Flores
Age Level: 0-3
Language: Spanish

A boy and his mama go shopping at an outdoor market. Find out what they buy to make a delicious breakfast. Spanish version available.

Bebé Goes Shopping

Illustration of mother pushing baby in grocery cart
Illustrated by: Steven Salerno
Age Level: 3-6
Language: Spanish vocabulary featured

It's a big day for Bebé and Mamá at the grocery store, complete with animal crackers, balloons, and many near escapes from the shopping cart! Written in rhyme, the text mixes English and Spanish words in a seamless way. The colorful and charming illustrations bring Bebé and Mamá's grocery store adventures to life on the page.

Every Little Thing

Young boy with cat
Illustrated by: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Age Level: 0-3

Now in board book, Every Little Thing brings Bob Marley's beloved song to life "Three Little Birds" for a new generation. Every family will relate to this universal story of a boy who won't let anything get him down, as long as he has the help of three special little birds. Including all the lyrics of the original song plus new verses, this cheerful book will bring a smile to faces of all ages — because every little thing's gonna be all right.

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message

Painting of wilderness scene
Illustrated by: Erwin Printup, Jr.
Age Level: 6-9
Language: Spanish

In this poignant and graceful picture book, Chief Jake Swamp gives thanks to Mother Earth and all of her inhabitants for sharing their rare and precious gifts. According to the author's note, these words are still spoken at ceremonial and governmental gatherings held by the Six Nations. Available in Spanish. Related classroom activities are included in this teachers guide.

Gracias/Thanks

Young boy with dog
By: Pat Mora
Illustrated by: John Parra
Language: Spanish (Bilingual Eng/Sp)

From the sun that wakens him to the cricket that serenades him to sleep, a young boy gives thanks for the many kinds of friends who help him throughout the day. Pat Mora's reflection on gratitude is filled with kindness and humor, brought to life by John Parra's heartwarming illustrations. Pat concludes the book with an author's note about the things she for which she feels grateful. Bilingual text.

Greet the Dawn: The Lakota Way

Lakota riders on horses
Age Level: 6-9

Dawn is a time to celebrate with a smiling heart, to start a new day in the right way, excited for what might come. Birds sing and dance, children rush to learn, dewdrops glisten from leaves, and gradually the sun warms us. Each time the sun starts a new circle, we can start again as well. All these things are part of the Lakota way, a means of living in balance. Through his artwork and verse, interspersed with the Lakota language, S. D. Nelson offers young readers a joyous way of appreciating their culture and surroundings.

I Like It When.../Me gusta cuando...

Age Level: 0-3
Language: Spanish (Bilingual Eng/Sp)

A penguin parent and child celebrate the everyday pleasures of hugging, playing, dancing, and the kiss good night. Now in a bilingual board book, both languages appear in different colors on the bold, uncluttered pages.

I See Me

Photo of a young baby
Age Level: 0-3

Product Description: I See Me provides a tender snapshot of what an infant's day — or hour — might look like. Each adorable image includes an English caption with space below for parents to translate the word into their own language. Published by the First Nations publisher Theytus Books.

Little Mamá Forgets

Granddaughter with grandmother
Illustrated by: Stacey Dressen-McQueen
Age Level: 3-6, 6-9
Language: Spanish vocabulary featured

Product description: Every morning, Lucy tiptoes into her grandmother's room to wake her with a gentle tickle. Little Mamá always remembers to tickle Lucy right back! But Lucy knows there are things her abuelita sometimes forgets — like the way to the park or how to tie her shoes. Still, there's much that Little Mamá remembers and shares: how to skip and dance, stories from Mexico, and plenty of hugs and kisses.

Lola Reads to Leo

Lola reading to Leo on the couch
Illustrated by: Rosalind Beardshaw
Age Level: 0-3
Language: Spanish

Lola is excited that she’s going to become a big sister. She and her parents are prepared for Leo's arrival — especially Lola who reads to him on every occasion! Warm paintings illustrate this gently, recognizable look at one family's everyday goings-on.

National Geographic Readers: Day and Night

A tree in day and night
Age Level: 3-6

During the day, the sun shines, birds tweet, and bees buzz. Earth is awake! But what happens at night? The moon -- and a whole new group of animals come out to play! Adult and child readers can cuddle up and read aloud and learn together in this new "you read, I read" co-reader format, vetted by early reading expert Susan B. Neuman.

One World, One Day

Young boy walking along railroad tracks
Age Level: 3-6

Every day children around the world awake to begin their days having breakfast, going to school, coming home to families. A poetic text combines with photographs from myriad countries to visually highlight the richness of the world and its people.

Show Me Your Day

Child crawling through tunnel
Age Level: 0-3
Language: Spanish

Pointing is a key skill in learning to communicate. Some children have a hard time acquiring this skill, but adults can help children learn to point, a valuable communication skill.

Siesta

Children laying out a blanket
Illustrated by: René King Moreno
Age Level: 0-3
Language: Spanish (Bilingual Eng/Sp)

Two children prepare for a backyard adventure, taking with them a rainbow of necessities: a blue backpack, a yellow book, even a multi-colored blanket to serve as their tent when they take a nap. The simple adventure is told in uncomplicated sentences presented in Spanish and English, and is illustrated in richly hued, swirling images.

So Many Sounds

Child looking at things that make sounds
Illustrated by: Andy J. Miller
Age Level: 3-6

A wonderful rhyming read-aloud featuring everyday sounds and a refrain that children will love repeating. The playful text and illustrations are sure to delight little ones while also inviting them to pay more attention to the world around them.

Summer Sun Risin'

Young boy in front of a rising sun on the farm
Illustrated by: Don Tate
Age Level: 3-6

Set on a Texas farm in the 1950s and told in Nikola-Lisa's distinctive and catchy style, this loving tribute to childhood, farm life, and family togetherness will resonate with readers of all backgrounds today. Sun-drenched paintings by Don Tate mirror the family’s daily activities and trace the sun as it travels across the sky from sunrise to sunset. The story also subtly introduces young readers to the subject of African American farmers. Spanish version available.

Super Oscar

Young boy with a cape
Language: Spanish (Bilingual Eng/Sp)

Since he forgets to distribute the lists for the neighborhood picnic, Oscar must launch into action. He shops, sets the table and whips up the food — in a most unusual way — for the best picnic ever! Colorful illustrations add imaginative detail and visual interest as well as a subtle nudge for exercise.

Toddler Two

Two toddlers play outside
Age Level: 0-3
Language: Spanish, Spanish (Bilingual Eng/Sp)

Product Description: This entertaining book for young children features two adventurous toddlers on an afternoon romp through their backyard. As they blow bubbles, pull their wagon, dig in the sandbox, play hide-and-seek, ride on swings, and play with toys, young readers discover what comes in twos: hands, feet, eyes, ears, legs, and arms.

Tooth on the Loose

Girl sleeping near tooth fairy
Illustrated by: Jennifer Mattheson
Age Level: 3-6
Language: Spanish vocabulary featured

"A young girl laments that her wiggly tooth will not fall out soon enough to enable her to collect tooth fairy money to buy a birthday gift for Papá. The rhyming story includes a mix of Spanish words within the English-language context — 'I needed that tooth out/today, not mañana./But yanking? Too painful./I tried a manzana.' The cheerful illustrations rendered in oil using a palette with shades of orange and rust show a delightful extended family willing to help the child with her problem." — School Library Journal

What's Up, Baby?

Baby stretching arms
Age Level: 0-3
Language: Portuguese

From waking up, eating up, and washing up, the fun never stops for babies and toddlers in this photo-filled adventure of discovery every child experiences. Descriptive words will help build vocabulary and language skills. Filled with dynamic and diverse photos of babies and toddlers enjoying all the "ups" their day can hold!