You’re all my favorites

Written by Sam McBratney; illus. Anita Jeram

2004  Candlewick Press 

Three baby bears are curious to know what makes each one of them special in the eyes of their parents. Mommy Bear and Daddy Bear explain to each bear that the differences between each bear makes them loved no more and no less: patches do not matter; boy or girl makes no difference; and, biggly or littley they are all loved just the same.

Written and illustrated by the same author and illustrator as Guess how much I love you. A wonderful story with beautiful watercolor and pencil illustrations, this book is definitely one to snuggle and share.

Twinkle, twinkle little star: A traditional lullaby

Written and illustrated by Sylvia Long

2006 Chronicle Books  

This classic lullaby is expanded upon to tell the story of a traveling group of animals following the star in the night for light and direction. Each page contains rhythmic verse and beautiful watercolor images. The melodious rhymes create a wonderful book to teach poetry to young children. As well, the mellowing verse and art make this book a perfect tool for bedtime reading.

Toes, ears, nose

Written and illustrated by Marion Bauer and Karen Katz

2003 Little Simon 

Toes, Ears, Nose is a wonderful concept book that is entertaining and educational for young toddlers. The lift-the-flap format keeps children engaged while teaching about different body parts as well as the clothes that might go with them. The toddler age group of one to two is a perfect period to introduce body parts due to the fascination that they are experiencing with their own bodies. The illustrations are clear, simple and colorful while the text is straightforward and uncomplicated. Other concept books by Katz include Peek-a-Baby, Where is baby’s bellybutton, and Counting kisses: A kiss and read book.

This is the way we take a bath

Written and illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max

2004 Cartwheel Books 

All the things we would do to clean up are illustrated in this book: washing hands, brushing teeth, taking a bath. Painted pictures alongside simple text that also include a sound button will keep children’s attention while teaching basic lessons of washing.

Ten little fingers

Written and illustrated by Annie Kubler

2003 Child’s Play International  

A familiar fingerplay is the premise for this board book. The back of the book also includes a piano accompaniment. Pictures of babies smiling and having a good time acting out the fingerplay will intrigue little ones to try out the actions too. Simple text with a rhyming verse livens up this cute little book.

Skippyjon Jones: Color crazy

Written and illustrated by Judith Byron Schachner

2007 Dutton Juvenile  

Skippyjon is a funny little cat with big ears that is ready to color. From a blue sun to a green bunny, Skippyjon will get kids eager to run off and color on their own. There is no limit to what Skippyjon can create. Vivid images drawn in color pencil alongside this playfully drawn cat are sure to encourage creativity.

Sheila Rae’s peppermint stick

Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes                                                                       

2001 Harper Collins  

Older siblings really know how to torment younger ones! Sheila Rae has a peppermint stick and she’s finding every excuse in the book not to share with her little sister, Louise. Until an accident breaks the peppermint stick in half creating two pieces: making just enough to share. Henkes’ illustrations of prancing mouse characters, bright colors and patterns is a sure fire attention grabber. A perfect book to teach children the concept of sharing.

Quiet loud

Written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli

2003 Candlewick Press 

This book teaches toddlers the difference between things that are loud and things that are quiet. By illustrating quiet activities and things like whispering, thinking, slippers, and libraries versus loud items such as doggies, singing, horns and alarm clocks, toddlers can get the concept of loud and quiet. Vibrant colored acrylic pictures show each activity as being fun in either form.

The potty book for girls

Written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli; illustrated by Dorothy Stott

2000 Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.  

Hannah is a toddler that is learning to do all kinds of things by herself. Her most recent endeavor is learning to use the potty. An accident or two won’t deter Hannah. She keeps trying and eventually her efforts pay off. Little Hannah is even rewarded with new underwear. Watercolor images and a rhyming text keep this ever challenging moment in a toddler’s life upbeat and positive. This is an inspirational book to help in potty training.

Playtime peekaboo!

Written and illustrated by Dawn Sirett

2005 DK Publishing  

Peek-a-boo! I see you! What child doesn’t love to play peek-a-boo? This lift the flap board book is a terrific activity book that lets a child be involved in reading too. Digital photography of toddlers fills one side of the page asking a question “Where is the cuddly pony? Is she under the hat?” While the other side of the page allows a child to lift the imprint of the hat to reveal the hiding pony, Peek-a-boo! Some of the hidden images also have a touch and feel quality.

Ollie

Written and illustrated by Olivier Dunrea

2003 Houghton Mifflin  

Little brothers and sisters can make older siblings so frustrated. And little Ollie isn’t even born yet! Gossie and Gertie just want Ollie to come out. Stubborn Ollie is just one tough egg to crack as he rolls around until his sisters stop paying attention to him.

Dunrea has introduced a new character into the Gossie collection, a brother. Ollie is a humorous tale about sibling rivalry that will entertain the very young and put a smile on the face of adults too. Bright and bold watercolor illustrations are accompanied by easy to read printing and phrasing. This is a wonderful addition to any preschooler’s library.

Old MacDonald

Written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells

1998  Scholastic Press 

The classic song Old MacDonald is portrayed by Rosemary Wells’ famous rabbit characters. Reviewing only one verse the story ends with a question ”How many animal noises can you put in the song?” Examples of other animals such as a cow, pig and sheep are shown along with the sounds each would make to help children keep the song going. This book encourages repetition and recognition.

Night night, baby

Written and illustrated by David McPhail

2007 Little Simon  

A board book containing familiar poetry and songs is complimented with beautiful watercolor images. The majority of the text relates to bedtime for example, Go to sleep, my teddy bear, Rock-a-by Baby, and Lullaby and good night make this book a perfect reading before bedtime.

Miss Spider’s tea party: The counting book

Written and illustrated by David Kirk

1997 Scholastic Press

A little spider wants to have a tea party but other bugs are afraid of her web. When she frees a moth her good deed entices others to come to her tea party. A fun counting book from one to twelve, with charming rhyming text that encourages reading, accompanied by vivid and bold color images.

Look look!

Written and illustrated by Peter Linenthal

1998 Dutton Juvenile  

High contrast black and white images introduce children to basic images and actions: hands reach, flowers bloom, and a car races. Large font in red type will definitely attract baby’s attention. Overall the graphics are appealing and will keep baby’s interest while allowing parents to read the story.

Look at the animals!

Written and illustrated by Peter Linenthal

2006 Dutton Children’s Books   

Utilizing the contrast of large black and white images, Linenthal works with the visually stimulating concept to introduce animals in a variety of actions: “birds sing”, “snails crawl”, and “whales spout”. This is a great beginner book to aid parents in encouraging baby’s recognition and identification skills.

How do dinosaurs play with their friends?

Written and illustrated by Jane Yolen

2006  Blue Sky Press   

Sharing and playing nice are two qualities that parents are constantly trying to enforce in their toddlers. The book offers bright colored pictures of dinosaurs displaying unacceptable behaviors toward their friends in play situations; as well as, posting a related question, “What if a dinosaur’s friends came out to play? Would he hide all his dump trucks, refusing to share?” A variety of questions such as these will provoke a dramatic “NO” and a shaking of the head from children as they read along. Just like all the other How do dinosaur books by Yolen, valuable lessons are learned that teach a child the proper way to behave in various situations.

Head, shoulders, knees and toes…

Written and illustrated by Annie Kubler

2002  Child’s Play International 

Head, shoulders, knees and toes is a catchy little tune and movement-based activity reproduced in this board book. A piano accompaniment found on the back of the book and images of toddlers having fun acting out the actions will encourage involvement in little ones. Performing the actions to the song will help to educate children about body parts too.

Daddy kisses

Written and illustrated by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben

2003 Chronicle Books, LLC   

A simplistic storyline portrays different animal Dads and how they kiss their babies, ending with a human father kissing his baby. Strong colored acrylic graphics accompany each scenario along with uncomplicated text. This is a terrific book to create a bonding moment between father and child.

Daddy hugs

Written and illustrated by Karen Katz

2005 Simon and Schuster  

Daddy is putting baby to bed. Counting from one to ten Daddy counts all the types of hugs he can give his baby. Some are playful while others are tender. Bright illustrations in bold patterns are fun to look at and the text is written in simple font with numbers clearly imprinted on the pages to reference. This is a great book to encourage counting as well as bonding time with Dad.