Celebrate the Week of the Young Child with different read-alouds for each themed day. Reading aloud to children is one of the ways to celebrate children and honor their learning. So, let’s enjoy some books for kids.
Week of the Young Child Themes
2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the Week of the Young Child. “Each April, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) invites educators, families, and communities to come together for the Week of the Young Child® (WOYC)—a joyful celebration of early learning, young children, and the adults who support them.”
The 2026 dates are April 11th-17th.
Here are some read-alouds to help you celebrate the theme of each day.
Music Monday
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Singing and dancing during storytime? Yes!
Sung to the tune, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sheepy by Lucy Ruth Cummins is fun for right before nap time or putting your stuffies to bed. Practice this one a few times before reading with the kids to get your pacing just right.
“Over in the Meadow” gets a garden remake in Over in the Garden by Janna Matthies. You might just be inspired to start some seeds.
A garden party dance party sounds fun after reading.
For more books about moving and grooving—> Moving & Grooving Books for Kids
Enjoy more books to sing.—> Singing Books for Kids
Tasty Tuesday
Whether it’s a themed storytime snack or using a book that leads you to creating food with children, I’ve got books to inspire you.
Cue the griddle for hotcakes after reading Plenty of Pancakes by Carrie Finison. The race is on to make enough pancakes before a special friend wakes up from a long winter’s nap.
Bake up a batch of cookies for it is time for reading aloud Bookie & Cookie by Blanca Gómez. I adore the illustrations in this sweet book about friendship.
Our two friends in the story love to spend time with each other over cookies and books. But, it seems they always end up at one particular house and that becomes a problem. How will these friends solve their problem? Grab a cookie and find out.
Check more books that inspire you to cook with kids.—> Cooking with Kids Books
From doughnuts to pizza, I’ve got book lists galore.—> Food Books for Kids
Work Together Wednesday
Playing together, creating together, exploring together…these books inspire community building and teamwork.
Letter Setters in Fun! by Ethan Long takes us to the beach and watching a group of doggies learn that working together to make sandcastles is the best idea.
A sand sensory table paired with this read-aloud would be a hit.
Sometimes we are the helper and sometimes we need the help. That is what Wheetle learns in Wheetle
A Little Wagon with a Big Heart by Cindy Derby.
Wagon rides would be fun after reading.
Artsy Thursday
Books to inspire creativity and exploring of art all around us.
The Don’t Touch series invites kids right into the books. And, this time we are “warned” not to draw in the book. But, get those fingers ready for lots of tracing action. Invite whole groups of kids to do the tracing in the air, in the palm of their hand, or on the rug in front of them. Enjoy reading Don’t Draw in This Book!
by Bill Cotter.
Of course, pulling out lots of drawing materials on this day would be ideal too.
The Stuffie Stand by Maddie Frost works well for Artsy Thursday, but it could also work for Work Together Wednesday. Moose has opened a stuffie stand filled with stuffies he sews himself. and business is really taking off. Mabel also enjoys bedazzling stuffies and asks Moose if she can sell hers too at the stand. At first Moose, is resistant, but quickly realizes he does need help.
It would be fun to have the kids bring in their own stuffies on this day and then could create a necklace, tie, or something else bedazzling for them to wear.
Dive more into the world of art.—> Art Books for Kids
And, explore the world of color too.—> Color Books for Children
Family Friday
Celebrate families learning and growing together with these read-alouds.
A mother and daughter hurry to the park for a party. After missing the event they still make the most out of the day. The illustrations are beautiful in While We’re Here by Anne Wynter. One of my favorite illustrated books of 2026.
Head outside and spend time together just noticing things in nature after enjoying the read-aloud.
Mom and Kiona play catch in Catch! by Trish Cooke. Wonderful for inspiring good old family play.
Play a fun game of catch with items of varying sizes and shapes after reading.
Printable Book List of Books for Young Children
Download and print this hand list to help you celebrate all week long.
Happy reading and learning.