Book Recommendations - English Children's Books Every Italian Parent Should Read to Their Child
At Starling English School, we believe that a love of reading starts at home. Sharing books with your child in English not only builds language skills but also creates meaningful family moments. Whether your child is just beginning to babble, discovering colors and textures, or starting to recognize letters and words, reading together is one of the most powerful ways to support their growth, both as tiny humans and as bilingual learners.
Below, we’ve curated a list of the kinds of English books every Italian parent could read to their child from birth through age five, along with insights on how reading supports early language and emotional development.
Why is it important to have books in the home?
Early literacy is a crucial part of both first and second language acquisition. Reading at home and having an abundance of books available is essential for a child’s development.
According to a recent study by World Economic Forum, the average number of books in a U.S. household is 114, but it has been discovered that children who grew up with at least 80 books in the home have been linked to higher literacy, numeracy, and information technology skills in adulthood.
Reading to your children should be an integral part of your daily routine. Not only does having books and practicing reading at home strengthen language skills, but it also has meaningful bonding effects.
Even a few minutes of reading together can foster connection and create a calm, enjoyable moment to share. Reading with your child every night helps develop empathy, awareness, and emotional intelligence, along with the sensory comfort that comes from the physical closeness between parent and child.
How does reading in the target language help with second language acquisition?
The biggest benefit of reading to your child in the target language is vocabulary expansion. Through illustrations and context, children gain a clearer understanding of the words being used.
Repeated stories in the second language also help build grammar structures and improve critical thinking skills.
Daily reading in the target language enhances cultural understanding and awareness, offering exposure to figurative language such as idioms and expressions unique to that language.
What should you read to your child?
Each of these benefits can be achieved no matter which language is being taught by the books you read. The key difference between simply having books and actively reading to your child is ensuring the stories are appropriate for their developmental stage.
Below is a list of English books organized by age and developmental stage, spanning from birth to five years old. Each stage highlights important moments in early development, from babies first responding to sounds and colors, to toddlers exploring through touch, and preschoolers beginning to recognize letters and numbers, their surroundings, and their emotions.
Baby and Toddler: 0–2 Years
At this age, babies’ brains are developing rapidly, and they are most stimulated by the sound of a parent or caregiver’s voice.
This is the time to introduce books with soothing, simple illustrations, bold colors, and stories with rhythm or repetition.
Tactile or interactive books are also wonderful at this stage, as children begin to reach out and explore with their hands. Parents are encouraged to read Lift-the-Flap or Baby’s First Books, which are sturdy, engaging, and typically feature high-contrast illustrations with rich vocabulary exposure.
Recommended Authors and Series:
Helen Oxenbury
Indestructibles series
Sandra Boynton
Eric Carle (slider board versions)
Ann Taylor
Karen Katz
Lucy Cousins
Baby Touch and Feel series
Raffi Songs to Read series
Recommended Books:
Guess How Much I Love You? by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
Up, Up, Up, Down! by Kimberly Gee
Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang
Pre-Kindergarten: 3–5 Years
Children at this age are growing readers! They are beginning to show interest in letters, letter sounds, and numbers.
Preschoolers are also increasingly curious about the world around them—their surroundings, routines, and environment. Parents can nurture this curiosity by choosing stories that reflect these interests and help children explore what they see in daily life.
Books at this stage can also support emotional growth as children begin to recognize and understand their feelings and develop a sense of self.
Recommended Books:
If You Hold My Hand by Jillian Harker
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, illustrated by Dan Santat
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers
The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin
Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever by Richard Scarry
Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry
Reading to Build a Lifetime of Memories
Early childhood is such a special and incredible time in the lives of both parent and child.
Cement those memories and strengthen your bond by taking a few moments each day to read and connect with your little one.
If 80 books sounds like a big number, remember that it’s never too late to start building your home library! Your child’s brain will thank you for it, and you’ll enjoy the lifelong gift of reading together and creating a bond that lasts a lifetime.
Want to Learn More?
Discover how Starling English School provides a warm, enriching environment where English and literacy open the door to growth and confidence.
Contact us to schedule a visit or learn more about our early childhood programs in Rome’s Balduina neighborhood.
