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Books for Letter T

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Books to read for letter T - the measured mom

One Tiny Turtle, by Nicola Davies

This is a nonfiction book about the life of the loggerhead sea turtle.  The text of the story is so beautifully written that it feels like poetry.  “Far, far out to sea, land is only a memory, and empty sky touches the water.”  When my Five read this to herself, she didn’t like it, but she changed her mind after I read it to her.  The book is so interesting and beautiful to look at that we had lots to talk about.  Highly recommended!

Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go, by Richard Scarry

How can you go wrong with a giant-sized book of Richard Scarry-style transportation?  If you’ve never heard of Richard Scarry, then perhaps you are of a younger generation.  These were very popular books when I was a kid and for a number of years before that. (I’m in my mid-30’s, if you must know.)  These books are excellent for kids to look at on their own because they are overflowing with interesting pictures.  They’re also great vocabulary builders because the pictures are all labeled.  You might not read this book from beginning to end, but you will love to find something new every time you pick it up.  Our library’s copy is quite worn out; this might be a good purchase for my son’s third birthday.

The Tub People, by Pam Conrad

The Tub People line up at the edge of the tub — always in the same order: the father, the mother, the grandmother, the doctor, the policeman, the child, and the dog.   They  love to play sea captain and have water races– until the horrible day when the Tub Child disappears down the tub drain.    This is one of my favorite picture books of all time — so I won’t share the ending in hopes that you read it for yourself!   Did I make you feel like you were watching Reading Rainbow? (Whoops – I’m dating myself again.)

Duck in the Truck, by Jez Alborough

I’ve highlighted this book before (see Rhyming Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers).  It’s still a favorite of my Two, and he is deeply disappointed when it must be returned to the library.   This is a fun rhyming book about a duck whose truck is stuck in the muck… and the animals who help him get out.

From Tomato to Ketchup, by Roberta Basel

We love “how things are made” books.  My kids are still quoting from this book. “Did you know that some people put ketchup on eggs and spaghetti?” or  “You have to take the air out of ketchup when you make it.”  I like the simple explanations and big photographs.

Big Truck and Little Truck, by Jan Carr

This is not my personal favorite because I like my books about trucks to be short.  But my Two (almost three) loves this book.  And it is certainly well-written with endearing illustrations.  Big Truck and Little Truck both work on Farley’s Farm.  Little Truck is used to Big Truck’s guidance and instruction — so when Big Truck’s engine won’t start and he leaves for the shop, Little Truck has to manage by himself.  It’s a sweet story about learning to be independent.

Trashy Town, by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha

This is a big favorite at our house.  Mr. Gilly drives around Trashy Town collecting garbage.  After each pick-up we read, “Dump it in, smash it down, drive around the trashy town!”  The simple illustrations, predictable text, and of course the subject (trash!) will likely make this a winner at your house, too.

Freight Train, by Donald Crews

Here’s a picture book classic in which vibrantly colored train cars move through a tunnel, by cities, across trestles, and right off the page. This is a great book for teaching about colors and movement.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea, by Judith Kerr

When I can, I like to include at least one older book in my Letter of the Week book lists.   This one (published in 1968) is a silly story about a little girl and her mother who are sitting down for tea, when a tiger comes to the door.   Sophie’s mother welcomes the polite tiger, who eats and drinks everything in the house!   In the end, they go out for dinner — and stock up on Tiger Food should the tiger ever pay them another visit.  A bonus about reading older stories is there’s so much opportunity for learning — in this book, what’s a milkman?  Why does a boy deliver groceries on a bicycle?

I’m Fast! by Kate & Jim McMullan

Here’s an entertaining read about a train and a car racing to Chicago.  This is one of several books by the McMullan author/illustrator team.  All my big kids (including my five-year-old daughter) love this story — with the train sound effects, funny text (My Two likes to quote the line “Cows? You gotta moooooove it! Thanks, ladies!”), and staccato rhythm, it’s a hit for kids who love trains and even those who don’t.

It’s a Tiger!  by David LaRochelle

Here’s a newer book which is destined to become a read-aloud favorite.  The main character runs into (and away from) a tiger throughout the story as the tiger shows up in the silliest of places.  Kids will enjoy the chance to yell “A TIGER!  RUN!” throughout this lively story.

I’m a Little Teapot, by Iza Trapani

At hour house, we’re big suckers for any book that takes one of our favorite rhymes and adds verses.  The teapot shares its dreams with us by reciting adventures of all kinds– fighting a bull in Mexico, meeting an alien in space, singing in an opera, going on a fox hunt… okay, so it’s a bit of a stretch. But we love to sing it! 

Little Blue Truck, by Alice Schertle

This is a sweet rhyming book about a friendly blue truck who is loved by all the animals.  When the proud, important dump truck finds himself stuck in the mud, he learns the importance of humility and friendship.

The Truck Book, by Harry McNaught

This book has excellent pictures to teach your little truck-lover the names of all different trucks and what they do.  I would recommend this for kids who can listen to longer books, but even your younger child might enjoy all the pictures.  My Four loved the pictures of the 1935 Wienermobile and milk-bottle shaped Milk Truck.  We were excited to find both of them on the Internet. (Here’s one and here’s the other if you want to take a peek!)

Tap Tap Bang Bang, by Emma Garcia

Here’s a fun book about tools just right for young listeners.  The pictures are simple, fun sound effects abound, and it’s a big vocabulary builder with the names of all the tools.  What’s not to like?

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Reader Interactions

30 Comments

  2. gabriela reyna

    I wish libraries had one of these books here in Mexico. Do you know were can I find online books? I really want my daughter to learn English in a natural way, I got the curriculum but I don’t know what to read to her, there aren’t many English books here in Mx. Thank you in advanced. Greetings!

    Reply to this comment

    • Anna G

      Unfortunately I don’t know any place where you can find books like these online. You can get an app like LeVar Burton Kids Skybrary, which has a lot of great books on it. But there is no place where you can get any book at all, paid or free.

      Reply to this comment

  3. lynette

    We love tractors and trains. Our favorite train book: How to train a train by Jason Carter Eaton. We also love the tractor Mac series by Billy Steers!
    I look forward to reading the rest of this list! Your lists for the letters are fabulous! If all we have time to do that day is read, it still reinforces what we are doing! Thanks!

    Reply to this comment

  5. Cool Mom/Christine M.

    Hi! What a great post and a lovely blog. One Tiny Turtle – I do like Jane Chapman’s illustrations. I am now following you on pinterest via StanleyNKatrina and signed up for your email updates. Have a wonderful rest of the week.
    ~Cool Mom for Stanley & Katrina
    Doing the Kid Lit Blog Hop

    Reply to this comment

  11. Renee C.

    With 3 little boys, I’m sure the “Truck” books are very popular! Thank you so much for linking into the Kid Lit Blog Hop. Your blog is fabulous and you sound like one busy Mama! I’m now following you via email, Pinterest and Facebook. Hope you’ll join us again in the Hop! 🙂

    Reply to this comment

    • annageig

      Hi Renee! I’m so glad you stopped by – and thanks for following me! I looked at your blog for biographical information about you but couldn’t find it — would be interested to learn more about you! I do not have a personal facebook account so cannot like your page (I just don’t know where I’d find the time to stay on top of it – some day!), but I am following the blog by e-mail. I appreciate sources to help me stay on top of new chidlren’s literature as my daughter moves into chapter books. 7 years out of teaching has gotten me out of date!

      Reply to this comment

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