The Pennsylvania Center for the Book’s A Baker’s Dozen is a nationwide, annual initiative to screen over 2,000 picture books each year with the goal of identifying the top thirteen books that support family literacy program goals and are suited to the interests and developmental characteristics of children between three and six years of age.

This list is released nationally, searchable in the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database, and used by libraries, schools, family centers, and elsewhere to inspire the youngest audience members to become lifelong readers and lovers of books.

A Baker’s Dozen: The Best 13 Books for Family Literacy booklist is accompanied by activities tailored to each book on the list (available free, online) to assist parents, caregivers, and educators with enhancing young learner's reading experience while advancing reading comprehension.

A Baker’s Dozen is co-sponsored by the University Libraries. 

WPSU BookMark Reviews

2018 Titles: Bulldozer Helps Out by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann; I Want That Nut! by Madeline Valentine; and Who Am I? An Animal Guessing Game by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page; reviewed by Karla M. Schmit