Books With Words in the Illustrations

I have a unique book list for you today. When new writers are starting, I love to have them draw a picture and label it. It’s a great entry point before writing sentences. All of the books for kids on today’s list are books with words in the illustrations. They are perfect for teaching about labeling.

Books for Kids with Labels

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Board Books with Labels in the Illustrations

Travel to the farm with Spencer in Spencer on the Farm by Michelle Romo. Learn through text and labels in the illustrations different words associated with the farm including a pitchfork, a farmer, and overalls.

My First Colors, Let’s Learn Them All by Davis and Sirett was the first book that truly showed me how quickly my son was recognizing new words. I’d say this was the book he learned how to recognize colors with too.

Picture Books with Labels in the Illustrations

A food truck book to enjoy is Little Taco Truck by Tanya Valentine. In this tale, the Taco Truck is having a hard time finding a parking spot as more and more food trucks crowd the area. It has to stand up for itself in the sea of food trucks. All of the food trucks are labeled.

When I saw the clever cover of Hike by Pete Oswald, I knew I was going to love it. A young boy and his father wake up and head out for a hike. We get to enjoy their beautiful journey through the mountains as they explore and capture their memories with photos to treasure for always. This book is perfect for Earth Day and/or Father’s Day. It’s one you’ll return to time and time again.

Home in the Woods by Eliza Wheeler is the story of a family that loses their father and their home. Though they don’t have many material possessions, they do have the love and bond of a family. Travel with the family through the seasons of a year to see how time can heal and strengthen family bonds.

This book has serious Richard Scarry vibes. There’s so much to look at and find in the illustrations including lots of words. Check out Firefighters to the Rescue! by R.W. Alley to see a firehouse at work.

The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann is the story of a little girl going on her first camping trip with her aunt and cousin. She’s excited while anticipating the trip but a little leary of swimming with fish, hiking up hills, and sleeping without her dad in the tent. But, with time and encouragement, she ends up enjoying herself and she can’t wait to tell her dad all about the adventure. This book is spot on with all the feelings of a new experience.

Get ready for an adventure in The Best Days Are Dog Days by Aaron Meshon. A puppy and child have a very busy and playful day. There’s even some onomatopoeia.

Speaking of onomatopoeia, check out Everybody in the Red Brick Building by Anne Wynter. So we start the story with everyone asleep in the red brick building until…the baby howls, “Waaaaaah!” which wakes someone…and before you know it everyone is awake.⁣

For more books with onomatopoeia, check out this list.—> Onomatopoeia Books for Kids

Bear Builds a House by Maxwell Eaton, III is the story of a bear who needs to plan and build the perfect house for herself. There’s lots that goes into building a house and this book looks at the process in a detailed and entertaining way with lots of diagrams and labels to enjoy.

In Vamos Let’s Go Eat by Raul the Third, children will learn so much about different foods and pick up lots of words in Spanish. And, the illustrations will beg you to look long after you have finished the words. They are purely amazing!