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Leaf and Steel

motherhood - growth - living

The Best Butterfly Books for Babies

March 25, 2022

Maybe it’s their colorful wings, sweet nature, or magical transformation from a caterpillar, but butterflies have always captivated little kids!

We’ve gathered some of the best butterfly themed books for babies and toddlers!

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.

Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.

J. Richard Lessor

Butterflies make an excellent theme for spring or summer reading. When I was a preschool teacher, we would incorporate butterflies into our spring unit.

As a stay-at-home-mom, I create little weekly themes for my baby. We then check out books from the library and do activities based on that theme. We are definitely having a butterfly week this spring!

Why should you read to your baby?

According to Zero to Three (click for link):

Reading together when babies are as young as 4 months old increases the chances that parents continue reading to babies as they get older. Beginning early is important because the roots of language are developing in a baby’s brain even before he can talk! The more words your baby hears over time, the more words he learns.

Zero to Three, “Read Early and Often”

Is a butterfly a caterpillar?

This one stumped me. Here’s an answer from Science ABC that sums it up more efficiently than I could!

Is a butterfly the same as a caterpillar? Well, allow me to answer that question with another question! Is an adult the same as a child? Perhaps you see where I’m going with this. A child and an adult are both humans, just at different stages of life. Similarly, a butterfly and a caterpillar belong to the same species (organisms belonging to the same taxonomic group), but are at different stages of their life. Just as a child slowly grows into an adult, so too does a caterpillar grow into a butterfly, albeit at a much faster rate. Basically, at some point in time, every butterfly was a caterpillar.

Science ABC, “Is A Butterfly The Same As A Caterpillar?”

What are the best butterfly books for babies and toddlers?

Below are some of the very sweetest butterfly books for babies and toddlers! Butterfly Colors and Counting is my favorite on the list!

The Best California Books for Babies and Toddlers

Butterfly’s Marching Band by Little Hippo Books

Little Butterfly: Finger Puppet Book by Chronicle Books

Butterfly Colors and Counting by Jerry Pallotta

Butterflies and Moths by Scarlett Wing

How Does a Butterfly Grow? by DK

Butterflies Soar by Amber Hendricks

Let’s Count Butterflies by Susan R. Stoltz

My, Oh My–A Butterfly!: All About Butterflies (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) by Tish Rabe

Ten Magic Butterflies by Danica McKellar

Flutterby Butterfly: A Slide-and-Seek Book by Emma Parrish

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle


So, there are some of the best books on butterflies for babies and toddlers!

Does your little one like butterflies? Are they interested in caterpillars?

Are you familiar with any of these books?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • How to Create a Home Learning Corner for Your One-Year-Old
  • Sunday Night Routine for a Successful Week
  • 7 Things I Do Every Day as a Stay at Home Mom
  • How to Survive Your 1-Year-Old’s First Blood Test

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • 3 Comments

The Best St.Patrick’s Day Books for Babies

February 25, 2022

St.Patricks Day is almost here- what better way to celebrate with you baby then with these charming books!

Picking up a new book is a special way to mark your little one’s St.Patricks Day.

Keep reading to see the best titles for the holiday!

When is St.Patrick’s Day?

St.Patricks Day is on March 17th, 2022. It will be on a Thursday this year.

Is St.Patrick’s Day always on March 17th?

Yes! St.Patrick’s Day is always on March 17th.

Who was St.Patrick?

According to History.com (click for reference):

“St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. But for all of his prevalence in culture—namely the holiday held on the day of his death that bears his name—his life remains somewhat of a mystery. 

He may be known as the patron saint of Ireland, but Patrick was never actually canonized by the Catholic Church. This is simply due to the era he lived in. During the first millennium, there was no formal canonization process in the Catholic Church. After becoming a priest and helping to spread Christianity throughout Ireland, Patrick was likely proclaimed a saint by popular acclaim.”

History.com, “Who Was St. Patrick?”

What is St.Patrick’s Day about?

“St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast–on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.”

History.com, “History of St. Patrick’s Day”

How do I celebrate St.Patrick’s Day with my baby?

There are so many ways to celebrate St.Patrick’s Day with your little one! If they are eating, why not start the day with shamrock pancakes? You can then read some of the books below to stay on theme. Cutting up a small portion of corned beef and cabbage works too.

What are the best books on St.Patrick’s Day?

See below for the best books on St.Patrick’s Day for babies and toddlers!


I’m a Leprechaun by Mallory Loehr

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover! by Lucille Colandro

How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace

Baby’s First St. Patrick’s Day (Baby’s First Holidays) by DK

Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase: Includes 12 St. Patrick’s Day Cards, Fold-Out Poster, and Stickers! by James Dean

The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing

The Itsy Bitsy Leprechaun by Jeffrey Burton

You’re My Little Lucky Charm by Natasha Marshall

The Berenstain Bears’ St. Patrick’s Day by Mike Bernstain

Jack and the Leprechaun by Ivan Robertson

Do you celebrate St.Patrick’s Day?

Are you familiar with any of the books on this list?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • 10 More Mom Influencers to Follow for Inspiration
  • How to Create a Home Learning Corner for Your One-Year-Old
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  • 5 Blogging Lessons I Learned in 2021
  • Little Things I Do To Make my Baby Feel Loved

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

The Best Car Books for Babies & Toddlers

December 3, 2021

Beep beep!

Does your baby or toddler love cars and trucks? Why not encourage their interests by introducing some books on the topic!

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.

Reading is so important for babies brains. Books are also a great add-on to a nighttime or nap routine. We love using board books in our house because they are pretty much indestructible and withstand cleaning.

These books would make an excellent baby shower gift or stocking stuffer for the holidays! One of the best things about books as a gift is they are educational and last a long time. I know we began reading to our daughter when she was in-utero and she still enjoys the same books today, as a one-year-old!


Here are 10 books on cars and things that go for your little one’s bookshelf!

Red Car, Green Car by Priddy Books

Counting Cars by Priddy Books

First 100 Trucks by Priddy Books

Go, Go, Cars! by Bonnie Rickner Jensen

My Car by Byron Barton

Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks from A to Z by Richard Scarry

Race Car Count by Rebecca Kai Dotlich

Here We Go! by Eric Carle

Toot Toot Beep Beep by Emma Garcia

First 100 Trucks and Things that Go by Richard Priddy


Does your little one love cars and things that go? Do they have any of these titles already? Do you think they would enjoy the books on this list?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • Autumn Themed Books for Infants and Toddlers
  • The Best Books for Baby’s First Birthday
  • The Best Dog Books for Babies and Toddlers
  • The Best NYC Books for Babies

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

The Best Chanukah Books for Babies and Toddlers

November 29, 2021

Chanukah season is upon us!

This year, Chanukah runs from the evening of Sunday, November 28th through Monday, December 6th.

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.

“The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and usually falls in November or December. Often called the Festival of Lights, the holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts.” Hanukkah, History.com


Books can be a great way to teach the story of Chanukah to young kids and also make great gifts!

Check out the following books to help ring in the Chanukah holiday this year!


The Eight Knights of Hanukkah by Leslie Kimmelman

Meet the Latkes by Alan Silberberg

Hanukkah Bear by Eric A. Kimmel

Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf by Greg Wolfe

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel

The Night Before Hanukkah by Natasha Wing

Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights (Big Golden Book) by Bonnie Bader

Goodnight Bubbala by Sheryl Haft

Clifford Celebrates Hanukkah by Norman Bridwell

Happy Hanukkah, Little Dreidel (Finger Puppet Board Book) by Brick Puffinton

Happy Hanukkah, Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

Happy Hanukkah, Curious George by H.A. Rey

The Hanukkah Mice by Steven Kroll


Do you celebrate Chanukah? Do your kids have a favorite Chanukah book?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:
  • 10 Cozy Farmhouse Decor Items Under $20 for Winter 2021
  • The Best Books for Baby’s First Birthday
  • 5 Free Indoor Places to Go with Baby
  • Why Your Child Needs a Doll featuring Madame Alexander!

Filed in: Uncategorized • by Olivia • Leave a Comment

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