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Leaf and Steel

motherhood - growth - living

Baby Books to Celebrate Moms Everywhere

April 19, 2022

Mother’s Day is almost here! What better way to share your love of mom with your little one than by reading books on the subject!

Keep reading to see ten of the best baby books to celebrate any mom in 2022.

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

I don’t know about you, but we have books strewn all over our house. They’re everywhere. There are books for the bathtub, books for the stroller, books for grandparents’ houses and books for the car….

our first little book pile for Baby M

“Can you read your book while you wait” is an everyday phrase in our house. My daughter has been a voracious reader since the beginning. I love how much she loves to read! I credit our dedication to reading every day since birth (okay, not every day, I’m human).

In my experience, reading and motherhood go hand in hand!

There’s nothing sweeter than having my daughter crawl into my lap with her favorite book. As much as I love our snuggles during Puffin Rock or Elmo, reading a great children’s book with her is a joy like no other.

When is Mother’s Day this year?

Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 8th, 2022. Mother’s Day is held on the second Sunday in May in the United States.

When should I start reading to my baby?

As soon as possible! Even if it’s a quick little board book in the beginning, get into the habit of reading to your baby immediately. I remember adding it onto my list of things to do when I had a newborn.

Read with your child every single day.

nothings more awkward than reading to a stranger in water who steals all your nutrients

See this article from Parents for more information: “The Benefits of Reading to Your Newborn” (click here for reference):

Studies have also shown that children who were read to as newborns have a larger vocabulary, as well as more advanced mathematical skills, than other kids their age. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, for example, found that kids who are read to every day are exposed to around 78,000 words each year—over five years, that adds up to 1.4 million words heard during story time.

There’s also a direct link between how many words a baby hears each day and her language skills. One study found that babies whose parents spoke to them a lot scored higher on standard tests when they reached age 3 than children whose parents weren’t as verbal.

Parents, “The Benefits of Reading to Your Newborn”

How do I read to my baby more?

I always say that the easiest way to read more books to your little one is to tack it onto an already formed routine. Reading before bedtime, around a mealtime, or after a nap are some of the best times to read with your baby.

Baby M loves to read by herself when I’m making her meals or in the car! By having lots of books in lots of places, it’s easy to keep your little one reading.

What are the best books about moms for babies?

I’ve compiled a list of some classics and newer titles.

My personal favorite is The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown. I fell apart the first time I read it. There was something so sweet and comforting about the mama bunny accepting the baby bunny’s rebellion.

The illustrations by Clement Hurd are vibrant and iconic. I would love to hang some prints from this book in my next nursery.

miss my bump

I was encouraged (by the internet) to read to my baby while I was pregnant, that she would be comforted by the sound of my voice. The Runaway Bunny was always my go-to pregnancy read. Of course, I fully expected my infant daughter to have some kind of reaction to me reading the book when she was out. She made it very clear that the book was not her cup of tea…

My goal as a parent is to be “the tree” that my daughter can come home to.

Baby Books to Celebrate Moms Everywhere

The Runaway Bunny, Margaret Wise Brown

I Love Mom with The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle

Is Your Mama a Llama?, Deborah Guarino

Are You My Mother?, P.D. Eastman

I Love You, Mommy, Jillian Harker

The Invisible String, Patrice Karst

My Mom Loves Me!, Marianne Richmond

Why a Son Needs a Mom, Gregory E. Lang

Why a Daughter Needs a Mom, Gregory E. Lang

A Mother for Choco, Kelko Kasza


So, there are some of the best books to help your little one celebrate mother’s day this year!

Are you familiar with any of the books above? Have you read The Runaway Bunny?

How do you plan on celebrating the moms in your life this year?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • Easter Traditions to Start with Your Baby or Toddler
  • How I Get Over Writer’s Block
  • How to Create a Home Learning Corner for Your One-Year-Old
  • Lessons from Stay-at-Home Moms
  • How to Take Care of Your Baby When You’re Sick

If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

Filed in: Favorite Things, Uncategorized • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

The Best Spring Books for Babies

February 28, 2022

Spring is in the air! What better way to celebrate the change of seasons than with these awesome spring themed books? 

The season is all about baby animals, plants and flowers, and new life! 

Keep reading to see the best books to share with your little one this spring.

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

What is the Vernal Equinox?

According to the Franklin Institute (click for reference):

Vernal Equinox occurs when the tilt of the Earth’s rotational axis reaches a particular position. We’re all aware of the imaginary axle the Earth spins around once every 24 hours. While we might imagine that axle to be vertical – that is, perpendicular to Earth’s orbital plane – the axle is tilted 23.5 degrees from vertical. It’s this tilt, not our proximity to the sun, that causes our seasons.  Let’s see what this might look like if we could be far enough out in space. 

The Franklin Institute, “What is Vernal Equinox?”

When is the first day of spring 2022?

The first day of spring is March 20th, 2022. Spring will end on June 21st, 2022.

How do I celebrate spring with my baby?

A great way to start off your spring celebration is with some bunny shaped pancakes. Taking a family walk and looking out for bunnies, budding flowers, and other signs of spring is a wonderful tradition as well. We love to celebrate the first day of each season! We write down the traditions on an index card so we’ll remember them year to year.

What are the best spring themed books for babies and toddlers?

Keep reading to view the best spring themed books for babies and toddlers! If you don’t feel like buying them, check out your local library!

Planting a Rainbow is my favorite on this list. The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle comes with actual seeds to plant! Let me know at the end if you’re a fan of any of the books on this list!

The Honeybee by Kirsten Hall

Some Bugs (Classic Board Books) by Angela DiTerlizzi

The Tiny Seed: With seeded paper to grow your own flowers! (The World of Eric Carle) by Eric Carle

Spencer Knows Spring: A Charming Children’s Book about Spring by Tiffany Obeng

Springtime Babies by Danna Smith

The Little Gardener by Jan Gerardi

Spring in the Forest by Rusty Finch

Bright Baby Touch and Feel Spring by Roger Priddy

Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert

Little Blue Truck’s Springtime by Alice Schertle

When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes


How do you welcome spring with your little one? Are you looking forward to the season change?

Are you familiar with any of the books above?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • Sunday Night Routine for a Successful Week
  • Our Experience with Baby Led Weaning
  • Your Baby Doesn’t Need to Sleep Through the Night
  • The Best NYC Books for Babies

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • 4 Comments

The Best Airplane Books for Babies and Toddlers

December 10, 2021

Does your little one love to watch planes pass by? Check out these books on airplanes to share with your baby or toddler!

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

Maybe you live near an airport or have an abundance of airplane toys – whatever has piqued your little one’s interest in planes, inspire them with these books!

The Little Airplane by Lois Lenski

Planes Go by Steve Light

Good Night Planes by Adam Gamble

Planes by Byron Barton

Amazing Airplanes by Tony Mitton

Playtown: Airport by Roger Priddy

Where Do Jet Planes Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres

Maisy Goes on a Plane by Lucy Cousins

I Wish I Were a Pilot by Stella Blackstone

Airplane Flight by Susanna Leonard Hill

I Am an Airplane by Ace Landers


Do you like to fly? Do you think your little one would enjoy any of these books? Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • The Best Dog Books for Babies and Toddlers
  • Zero Waste Laundry with Kind Laundry
  • The Best Chanukah Books for Babies and Toddlers
  • The Best NYC Books for Babies

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • 2 Comments

The Best NYC Books for Babies

November 1, 2021

Here are the best New York City Books for Babies!


The city that never sleeps is perfect subject matter for babies who need to sleep! These endearing baby and toddler books are a wonderful way to incorporate reading into your daily routine while learning about the Big Apple.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

New York City is such a unique and special city. Although I’m more of a wide-open-spaces-girl now, I am still pulled in by the sprawl of Manhattan.

Some of my favorite memories growing up are going to Macy’s on 34th to see Santa and Central Park in the fall. My daughter hasn’t been to the city yet, but we plan on going soon! The close proximity to Long Island makes New York City an easy day trip or add-on when leaving the Island.

I know that my daughter will love looking up at the skyscrapers and taking in all that the city has to offer. From the smells to the sounds to the endless forms of transportation, New York City is a little kids dream!


Whether you already live in Manhattan or plan to visit soon, expose your little one to the magic and grandeur of the city through these books!

There Are No Sheep in New York City! by Aiden Adams

My Little Cities: New York by Jennifer Adams

Night-Night New York City by Katherine Sully

NYC ABCs by Mr. Boddington’s Studio

Good Night New York City by Adam Gamble

Hello, World: New York by Ashley Evanson

New York, Baby! by Ward Jenkins

New York Baby by Puck

My First Book of New York by Ingela P. Arrhenius


Have you ever visited New York City? If not, do you hope to someday?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • Why Your Child Needs a Doll featuring Madame Alexander!
  • The Best Dog Books for Babies and Toddlers
  • 10 Baby and Toddlers Advice Accounts You Should Follow on Instagram

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • 3 Comments

The Best Dog Books for Babies and Toddlers

October 18, 2021

Baby M is obsessed with dogs! She has no fear when it comes to the furry beasts. Since I was the world’s biggest dog fanatic as a child, I naturally supplied her with puppy books since birth.

Here are the best dog themed board books for babies and toddlers!


This post may contain affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.


1. Doggies by Sandra Boynton

2. Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

3. Go, Do. Go! by P.D. Eastman

4. Puppy Love by Cottage Door Press

5. The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey

6. Good Dog, Carl by Alexandra Day

7. Touch and Feel Puppy by DK

8. Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell

9. Babies Love Puppies by Scarlett Wing

10. Snuggle Puppy! by Sandra Boynton


Does your child have an interest in dogs or a favorite dog book?

Let me know below!

O.

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • 8 Comments

The Best Cat Books for Babies and Toddlers

October 15, 2021

Baby M is loves terrorizing our cat, Luna.

She always waves to her and if she’s within range, will try to snatch her whiskers.

Reading about cats has been a nice alternative to screaming at Luna.

So, I thought I’d share the best cat themed board books for babies and toddlers!


This post may contain affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.


1. Five Black Cats by Patricia Hegarty

2. Babies Love Kittens by Scarlett Wing

3. Stack the Cats by Susie Ghahremani

4. They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel

5. Who’s That Cat by Steph Clarkson

6. The Shy Little Kittens New Friend by Golden Books

7. If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff

8. Baby Touch and Feel Kittens by DK

9. Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

10. Ten Little Kittens by Jim Harris


Does your baby have a favorite cat book?

Let me know below.
O.

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • 2 Comments

Halloween Books for Infants and Toddlers

October 7, 2021

Halloween is just around the corner! Here are 10 Halloween books for infants and toddlers to welcome the spooky season!

This post may contain affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

1. Find Spot at the Halloween Party by Eric Hill

2. Spooky Little Kitten by Rosa Vonfeder

3. Corduroy’s Best Halloween by Don Freeman

4. Babies Love Halloween: A Lift-a-Flap Book by Scarlett Wing

5. The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin by Little Simon

6. Little Blue Truck’s Halloween by Alice Schertle

7. Froggy’s Halloween by Jonathan London

8. You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie by Natalie Marshall

9. Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

10. Spooky Pookie by Sandra Boynton


Did you have a favorite halloween book as a child? Let me know below.

O.

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • 1 Comment

Autumn Themed Books for Infants and Toddlers

September 28, 2021

Fall is here!

My baby and I are so happy to ring in the new season with autumn themed books!

We love bringing a pile of books outside, plopping down on a picnic blanket, and reading in the fresh air.

Here’s a collection of ten autumn themed books for infants and toddlers.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.


1. The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri

2. Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

3. Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

4. Little Acorn by IglooBooks

5. The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night by Peter Spier

6. I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson

7. The Roll-Away Pumpkin by Junia Wonders

8. Autumn in the Forest by Rusty Finch

9. Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell

10. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson


Do you have a favorite children’s book for autumn?

Let me know below.

O.

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • 3 Comments

Hi there!

Leaf and Steel is a collective on all things motherhood, growth, and living. Read More…

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2023’s word of the year is “peace”. The purest, simplest way to incorporate peace is by being in nature. We are incredible excited to try to spend #1000hoursoutside this year. ❄️🌻🌲 #getoutside #leafandsteel #nature #toddlerlife
Never have truer words been spoken…
Up on the Blog: Here’s Why Christmas Season is the Best
Not ready for the pumpkins to be gone 🎃🫤
Blogtober is almost here! #blogtober is a writing challenge where writers publish one post a day for the month of October. I did it last year and it was definitely…a challenge! 🎃
Up on the Blog: Dying for #Fall but I can’t help but feel antsy about summer ending! There is still so much left to do 🌊 head to Leaf and Steel to see what’s left on my end of summer bucket list. #leafandsteel #summer #fall #bucketlist #toddler #baby #blog #sahmlife #todo #wordpress #longform #watermelon #beach #summerbucketlist #pool

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