Our Top 5 Repetitive Text Books for Expanding Language
Can you recite the words to Goodnight Moon in your sleep? There is a reason this classic tale has been a bedtime favorite in homes across the country for over 70 years. Picking books for young children with repetitive text provides a rhythm to speech much like music. This allows them to be easily memorized and lets children anticipate the words that come next. This early “reading” helps increase confidence and expand language skills.
Here are 5 of our favorite children’s books with repetitive texts:
- Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Why we love it: We remember reading Goodnight Moon with our parents as children. Not only does the repetitive text structure help children “read” and anticipate what comes next, but it helps build vocabulary for household items, animals, food, and toys.
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle
Why we love it: This classic is a perfect example of great use of repeat questions and predictable patterns for children. Added plus: it also allows children to explore animals and colors.
- Pete the Cat by Eric Litwin, art by James Dean
Why we love it: This contemporary series is a favorite among classrooms and households and has great use of repetitive text structure. Are you new to Pete the Cat? Try starting out with the first book in the series, Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes. You may find yourself walking along and singing your song, just like Pete, and looking for more of these great books!
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
Why we love it: As kids follow the letters up and down the coconut tree, this book provides a predictive rhythm and rhyming structure while also providing early alphabet introduction.
- Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
Why we love it: The repetitive text in this classic book allows kids to anticipate baby bird’s next move while always sparking a giggle from little ones.
So the next time you find yourself reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear for what may feel like the millionth time, know that you are setting a solid foundation for your child to expand their language skills.
Looking for more? We love this Repetitive Text Bookshelf on Goodreads.com, or our team is always happy to recommend books for your family. Happy reading!
Reference: Speech Room News, LLC
