My kids are now 3 and 4, and I've begin to notice that my children are deeply touched by the books they read. I've also heard that reading together is one of the single most important things parents can do for the intellectual development for their children. I am a single mom, so my time is very limited. This is why I love reading them books! I can use the time to teach them important life lessons, and snuggle with them at the same time!

"As parents, the most important thing we can do is read to our children early and often. Reading is the path to success in school and life. When children learn to love books, they learn to love learning." - Laura Bush

Experts suggest that parents, even from the earliest days, talk with your child about what you are reading. Point at pictures. Ask questions. Get them to use their imagination, creativity, and memory. You will find the more you read, the more they are engaged and enjoy it.

I've also noticed that my children love seeing what I read. Often times I will see them pretending to read and they will say, "I'm reading my bible!" It makes me smile that they notice that I read, and in turn it bring them joy to include it in their play.

What follows are some favorite books from our house to yours.

Books that lift our perspective and teach us something:

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault
• The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss
• Beautiful Hands by Bret Baumgarten and Kathryn Otoshi
• Beautiful Girl: Celebrating the Wonders of Your Body by Christine Northrup
• Only One You by Linda Kranz
• The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
• One by Kathryn Otoshi
• The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
• Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
• Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
• The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau
• The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

Books perfect for memory-making

• Llama Llam Red Pajama by Anna Dewdneg
• Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
• The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
• The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
• Curious George anthologies
• A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
• My Truck Is Stuck! by Kevin Lewis and Daniel Kirk
• Meet Me at the Moon by Gianna Marino
• The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems
• Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
• Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
• The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
• I Love You More Each Day by Suzanne Chiew
• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
• Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• Animal Crackers by Jane Dyer
• Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow

Books we love that transport us to another world or time:

• The Magic Tree House series
• The Adventure Bible I Can Read series
• Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis