Top 10 Most Popular Bill Martin Jr Books + Activities
Bill Martin Jr Books are treasured for their rhythmic storytelling and vibrant illustrations that captivate young readers while supporting early literacy development.
His timeless works, including favorites like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, introduce children to colors, animals and letters through playful, repetitive text.
Be sure to check out these other children’s board books for toddlers and infants.
You can find these books at your local library or purchase through the affiliate links provided for your convenience.

Who Is Bill Martin Jr
Bill Martin Jr. (1916–2004) was a prolific American children’s author and educator, renowned for his rhythmic, engaging storytelling that captivated young readers. Over his career, he authored more than 300 books, including beloved classics such as Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, often collaborating with illustrator Eric Carle
Born in Hiawatha, Kansas, Martin faced early challenges with reading, not learning to read until college. This experience fueled his passion for early childhood education. He earned a doctorate in early childhood education from Northwestern University in 1961 and later worked as a principal and editor before dedicating himself to writing full-time in 1972.
Martin’s work extended beyond authorship. He co-founded the Owl Reader line of children’s books and developed the Sounds of Language reading program at Holt, Rinehart & Winston. His innovative approach emphasized rhythm and repetition to aid in language development
Moonlite Storytime Mini Projector with 4 Eric Carle StoriesCreateOn Magna-Tiles Brown Bear, What Do You See? Building Toys
Little Folk Visuals Brown Bear Felt Learning Toy Set
Eric Carle Sticker Set
In recognition of his contributions, the Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award was established in 1996 by the Kansas Reading Association to honor outstanding children’s picture books and promote an appreciation of quality literature among young readers.

Martin’s legacy continues to influence children’s literature, with his books remaining favorites in classrooms and homes worldwide.
Board Books by Bill Martin Jr. for Toddlers
We have absolutely adored Bill Martin Jr Books since my boys were itty bitty.
Over the years, our favorite books to read to our toddlers were often from Bill Martin Jr. ranged from Brown Bear, Brown Bear to Chika Chika Boom Boom.
In fact, we read Brown Bear, Brown Bear so many times I actually had to buy multiple copies over the years!
These books make reading fun and engaging, inspiring a lifelong love of books in children and families alike.
Top 10 Most Popular Bill Martin Jr Books
From the moment your child is born, Bill Martin Jr Books are an absolute must to read to your child.
Whether your child is speaking yet or not, Bill Martin Jr. will capture your child's attention and start learning new words.
A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck–all parade across the pages of this delightful book.
Children will immediately respond to Eric Carle’s flat, boldly colored collages.
Combined with Bill Martin’s singsong text, they create unforgettable images of these endearing animals.
When all the letters of the alphabet race one another up the coconut tree, will there be enough room?
Of course there is always enough room for this rollicking alphabet chant that has been a children’s favorite for more than twenty years!
Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault’s rhythmic text keeps the beat with Caldecott Honor illustrator Lois Ehlert’s bold, cheerful art.
A new edition of this all-time favorite children’s tale to delight children and parents alike. Bill Martin’s playful story introduces a parade of rowdy zoo animals, all illustrated in Eric Carle’s instantly recognisable, clean, crisp style.
A perfect addition to this fun, noisy tale is a ten button sound panel.
As each new animal appears on the bright, colorful pages, children will love to find, then press the right button to hear the noises that the braying zebra, roaring lion, fluting flamingo and other amazing animals make.
What will you hear when you read this book to a preschool child? Lots of noise!
Children will chant the rhythmic words. They’ll make the sounds the animals make. And they’ll pretend to be the zoo animals featured in the book– look at the last page!
In honor of its fiftieth Anniversary, the classic Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is available for the first time as a lift-the-tab board book.
With the complete and unabridged text and art of the classic Brown Bear story, this lift-the-tab format celebrates the fiftieth Anniversary with a brand-new look and feel.
Readers will discover the classic rhythmic text featuring colorful animals, brought to life in Eric Carle’s powerful collage art.
With the important pre-reading concepts of rhyme, rhythm, and repetition, these picture books have long been used as beginning readers.
The new 6 x 9 trim and classic beginning reader layout create a more “grown up” version to read by themselves.
Thirty-five years after their first groundbreaking collaboration, the creators of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? reunited to address the important topic of animal conservation.
A Bald Eagle soars, a Spider Monkey swings, a Macaroni Penguin struts, and a Red Wolf sneaks through Bill Martin Jr’s rhythmic text and Eric Carle’s vibrant images, and all are watched over by our best hope for the future ― a dreaming child.
Ten little caterpillars are out and about in our big, wide world–come join them! You never know what you might find. . . . A butterfly, perhaps?
Comes complete with a glossary filled with intriguing information about all of the caterpillar stars!
Kitty Cat should be getting ready for school, but instead, she’s practicing her purr, looking for her socks, chasing a little mouse, and more.
Will Kitty Cat make it out of the house in time for school?
Adorable pastel illustrations rendered in watercolor paints and colored pencil bring Kitty Cat so close you’ll want to reach out and touch her!
Bill Martin, Jr., and John Archambault’s rhythmic text about first words is the perfect fit for Lois Ehlert’s bold, bright, cheerful art.
This winning combination makes this book a must-have for all Chicka Chicka Boom Boom fans!
Author Bill Martin Jr. Unit Study
In addition to recommending Bill Martin Jr books for kids, I’ve teamed up with some fellow bloggers to offer you homeschool and classroom resources. Some of these resources may contain affiliate links.
DIY Sensory Board Book
This DIY sensory board book offers a fun, interactive craft for toddlers and young children, enhancing sensory exploration through tactile materials.
Literacy Snack Idea Alphabet Tree + Free Printable
This activity pairs Chicka Chicka Boom Boom with a themed snack and a free printable, offering a fun and interactive way for children to engage with the alphabet.
Brown Bear Puppet Craft
This simple brown bear puppet craft is an easy and engaging activity for young children to accompany the classic story.
Virtual Book Club for Kids--The Little Squeegy Bug
This activity pairs The Little Squeegy Bug with creative crafts like fingerprint bug art and a DIY firefly jar, encouraging imaginative play while reinforcing the story's themes.
Apple Tree Math Games with Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3
These apple tree math games, inspired by Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3, engage children in counting, addition, and pattern-making activities using dice, colorful "apples," and a handmade tree to reinforce early math skills through playful learning.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear Story Retelling Crowns {Free Printable}
These printable polar bear crowns encourage preschoolers to retell the story Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle, enhancing their literacy skills through interactive play.
Easy & Adorable Brown Bear Paper Plate Craft
This brown bear paper plate craft offers a fun, hands-on way for preschoolers to engage with the classic story Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, combining process art and fine motor skills.
Chicka Chicka 123 – Multiplication Trees
This activity uses multiplication trees inspired by Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 to help children visualize and practice multiplication facts through hands-on learning.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Letter Activities
This Chicka Chicka Boom Boom letter activity offers a fun stamping exercise for young children to explore the alphabet, enhancing letter recognition and fine motor skills.
Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr.
This activity set complements Ten Little Caterpillars with engaging games like caterpillar matching, memory, and a movement-based race, enhancing learning about caterpillars and their transformations.
Sidewalk Chalk Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Alphabet Game
This sidewalk chalk alphabet game brings the story of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to life by having children jump to letters on a chalk-drawn coconut tree, enhancing letter recognition and motor skills.