Picture Books That Speech Therapists Love
There’s something magical about snuggling up with a good book — the rhythm of the words, the bright illustrations, the sound of your voice filling the room. And when you’re raising or supporting a little one who’s developing their speech and language skills, picture books aren’t just cozy—they’re powerful tools for connection and growth.
Speech therapists adore picture books, and not just because they’re fun (although that helps!). The right book can open the door to conversation, vocabulary, sound play, emotional understanding, and so much more.
Whether your child is just starting to babble or already chatting away, these therapist-approved picture books can help support their speech and language in natural, joyful ways.
Let’s dive into a few favorites you’ll want to read again and again.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
By Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
This classic is a therapist favorite for a reason — it’s rhythmic, repetitive, and easy to predict, making it perfect for early communicators. The simple pattern encourages children to fill in the blanks, make predictions, and join in as they become familiar with the text. Plus, the colorful animals help with labeling and color concepts!
Where’s Spot?
By Eric Hill
Lift-the-flap books are gold in speech therapy! They build anticipation, teach object permanence, and give lots of natural opportunities for asking questions (“Where is he?”), labeling animals, and using location words like under, behind, or inside.
Dear Zoo
By Rod Campbell
Another lift-the-flap gem, this book invites little ones to interact with each page. It’s a great way to work on animal names, adjectives (“too big!”), and early sentence structure. Kids love guessing what animal will come next — and therapists love how easy it is to expand language as you go.
Press Here
By Hervé Tullet
This interactive book turns reading into a game. It’s perfect for practicing following directions, spatial concepts (left, right, up, down), and cause-and-effect language. Kids feel empowered by being in charge of the action, which boosts confidence and engagement.
Bear Snores On
By Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
With rich vocabulary and beautiful rhyme, this book introduces kids to a wide variety of descriptive words and story sequencing. It’s also a sweet introduction to concepts like emotions, friendship, and group dynamics.
Go Away, Big Green Monster!
By Ed Emberley
This book is wonderful for teaching body parts, describing, and understanding sequencing — as each part of the monster appears and then disappears. It’s also a fun way to empower kids who might be working through fears or anxieties.
The Pout-Pout Fish
By Deborah Diesen
This playful, rhyming book is packed with expressive language and emotional vocabulary. The repetition makes it easy for kids to join in, and the silly storyline opens the door to conversations about feelings, facial expressions, and empathy.
I Went Walking
By Sue Williams
With a pattern similar to Brown Bear, this book builds anticipation and helps little ones learn to name animals, use verbs, and answer simple “what” questions. The repetition is perfect for emerging speakers.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
By Laura Numeroff
This beloved classic helps with sequencing, predicting, and using complex sentence structures (“If… then…”). It also introduces cause and effect in a silly, circular way that sparks laughter and curiosity.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
By Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Alphabet fun with rhythm and rhyme! This energetic book helps with letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and developing a love for playful language.
Tips for Using Books to Support Speech at Home
ou don’t need to read every word on the page or “do it right.” In fact, some of the best speech and language moments come from pausing, pointing, and chatting about what you see.
Here are a few simple strategies:
- Pause and wait to give your child a chance to fill in a word or sound
- Label pictures and describe what’s happening: “Look! The bear is sleeping.”
- Ask simple questions like “What do you see?” or “What’s he doing?”
- Follow your child’s lead — if they’re focused on a certain page or image, go with it
- Repeat and expand on what your child says: If they say “dog,” you can say, “Yes, it’s a brown dog running!”
Most importantly — make it fun. Reading together should be a joyful, shared experience. No pressure. No drills. Just connection, curiosity, and the beautiful rhythm of language unfolding.
Whether your child is building their first words or growing their storytelling skills, picture books are a gentle and powerful way to nurture speech and language at home.
So grab a blanket, find a comfy spot, and open up a world of wonder — one page at a time.
