Reading with Ellie is one of my favorite things, but I am the first to admit some children’s books can be a little obnoxious. Difficult rhymes and lackluster illustrations become pretty tedious after you’ve read a story a hundred times in one sitting.

Over the last year and half, I’ve found some books we both love to read and a few on which we disagree. With great stories and intricate pictures, I’d recommend these books to anyone with a newborn or toddler. They also have Ellie’s seal of approval.

1. The Napping House – This is an all time favorite of mine. Every time I read it, I notice something new in the illustrations.
2. Red Wagon – In this story, a little girl fox takes her wagon to the market on an errand for her mother. Her imagination runs wild on the trip making this one a real charmer.
3. You Are My I Love You – I typically don’t go for sentimental stories, but this one gets me every single time. Ellie likes it too.
4. The Goodnight Train – We received this book as a gift, and I am a little embarrassed to admit how much I love making the train sounds as I read it. Choo! Choo!
5. Pride and Prejudice – Counting books can be a little boring to read over and over, but the illustrations here are clever. P&P fans will find the marriage proposal page in particular to be entertaining.
6. Bunny & Bee Playtime – Bunny and Bee are two little kids dressed as the aforementioned animals who live in a tree. I don’t think I need to say anymore.
7. Bella Loves Bunny – At our house, I read this one as “Ellie loves Hoppy,” since E sleeps with a bunny every night. The pictures are old-fashioned and lovely.
8. Madeline (obviously) – Ellie has only recently come around to reading this one. The content was a little too long for her before, but now, she enjoys hearing the story. I have adored this book since I was a little girl and the love affair continues.