Reading to children is one of the most important things that families can do to develop lifelong learners! Lift-the-Flap books are a great way to engage even the smallest babies during story time. Children practice fine motor skills while opening the flaps, and adults can enjoy the delightful illustrations that accompany each page.
The lift-the-flap books in this list cover a wide range of topics and are excellent titles to have in your library. And since these books are not just for kids, I have included a few titles that will even keep adults entertained! And since flap books tend to be made of sturdy materials, they can be enjoyed for years to come!
1. Open the Barn Door
If you are looking for a book about farm animals, this one is an excellent introduction to the lift-the-flap style. This was the first baby book we had for our daughter, and she loved it so much we had to buy a second copy (she chewed up the first one!)
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2. Where Is the Very Hungry Caterpillar?
Based on the bestselling picture book, this story asks children to find out where the hungry caterpillar could be! He's not always where you think he is, so young children will delight in using the clues on each page to determine what is hiding behind each sturdy flap!
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3. Construction Sites
In addition to lifting the flaps and learning about construction equipment, each page has a hidden bunny rabbit - can you find him? This was one of my son's favorite books and it was delightful to watch him work through the bold illustrations to find the bunny.
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4. Peek Inside Animal Homes
Another family favorite, this was one that my children enjoyed reading together. There are different levels of complexity, so this cute book is definitely one to revisit as your children develop their reading fluency.
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5. Summer in the Forest
This is one of a series of books that follows the forest animals through the different seasons. The book's full-color illustrated scenes are immersive and beautiful - all four are highly recommended!
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6. Winnie the Pooh's Giant Lift-the-Flap Book
In this lift-the-flap version of the classic best-selling children's book, readers join Pooh and his friends to learn about letters, shapes, and the other things Christopher Robin is learning at school! The classic scenes of pre-Disney Winnie-the-Pooh are nostalgic and beautiful.
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7. In the Haunted House Touch & Feel Lift-the-Flap Book
The funny illustrations guide the reader through a "scary" haunted house with some adorable characters behind each flap door! This book will be a highly-requested read for your ghoulies and ghosties!
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8. Dragon Dance: A Chinese New Year Lift-the-Flap Book
The bright illustrations in this book introduce the meaning and festivities involved with the Chinese New Year. Friendly and fun, these positive images bring this age-old celebration to life!
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9. First Festivals: Ramadan
With an emphasis on the multicultural celebration of Ramadan, this lift-the-flap book is a great way to introduce and reinforce the traditions of millions of Muslims around the world! The colorful illustrations keep readers engaged through the very last page!
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10. Where Is Baby's Dreidel? A Lift-the-Flap Book
Despite its simplicity, this book is a great one to bring out each year. The focus is less on the traditions of Chanukah and instead on the baby's adventure in finding the dreidel on each page. This is a wonderful book to bring out each season and older kids will delight in introducing it to the younger ones!
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11. Cat Family Christmas: An Advent Lift-the-Flap Book
I love this Christmas season lift-the-flap book because the illustrations are timeless. There are no well-known cartoon characters here - instead, you find beautiful illustrations of the cat family as they celebrate the season of Advent.
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12. A Place Called Home: Look Inside Houses Around the World
Enthusiastic readers will love learning about how children live in different places around the world. The flaps reveal familiar and unique characteristics, leaving your kids asking for more information about the world around them.
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13. Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers about Food
Another great book for little explorers, this book takes them on a food adventure! Harness their desire to ask "why?" with this book full of answers about the journey our food takes to get from the farm to our belly!
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14. Fun Flaps: All About Me!
Anatomical flap books are a great way to introduce body parts to babies! Focusing on real babies, these colorful illustrations will keep your baby engaged and learning!
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15. Little Explorers: My Amazing Body
The anatomical illustrations in this book are age-appropriate as well as amusing! Help kids learn about their bodies while improving their motor skills with this anatomy book for children.
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16. Find Spot at Preschool: A Lift-the-Flap Book
The classic story of Spot will help kids navigate the unknowns of entering preschool with familiar characters and sturdy flaps. Introduce children to a day of preschool with a favorite friendly character!
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17. The Octonauts and the Marine Iguanas: A Lift-the-Flap Adventure
This lift-the-flap version of the episode by the same name lets children jump into the story with Kwazii, Peso, and Captain Barnacles. This story is a great introduction to the learning world of the Octonauts!
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18. Easy-to-Make Pop-Ups
The final three books in this list are not flap books specifically, but something even more magical - pop-up books! As children age out of the lift-the-flap concept, introducing them to pop-ups is a beautiful way to introduce a new picture book style in a way that continues to bring a story to life. This book is a starting point for making your own stories into 3-D!
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19. Believe: A Pop-Up Book of Possibilities
Robert Sabuda is easily the master of bringing pop-up books to an entirely new level. His colorful pop-ups emerge from the page with a complexity that borders on magic! They are also fragile, however, and are best read alongside an adult who can monitor inquisitive fingers.
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20. Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs: The Definitive Pop-Up
The three "Encyclopedia" books (Dinosaurs, Dragons and Monsters, and Gods & Heroes) are absolute works of art. Containing both pop-up elements as well as lift-the-flap areas, the colorful illustrations and complex images in these books are worth a prime placement on the coffee table. Once the kids grow out of pure lift-the-flap books, they will be completely spellbound by this magical series!
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