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Children learn to read and love books by following the example of their parents. And parents who share their love of words and pictures will be giving them a gift that lasts a lifetime. It's never too young to start - a month-old infant can focus on pictures in a board book as a parent reads. Here are some books that will charm babies, capture the hearts of toddlers, and tickle the funny bones of older little ones. For infants to age 3 The Little Fire Engine The Little Train Written and illustrated by Lois Lenski (Random House, 30 pages, board book, $6.99) Lois Lenski illustrated dozens of books in her award-winning, 40-year career. These two, presented in a board book format for the first time, are classics of their era. They follow the exploits of, respectively, Fireman Small and Engineer Small. The stories are light on text, but toddlers will love the crisp illustrations, with the many trains and firetrucks included. Grow! Babies! Written by Penny Gentieu (Crown Books, 22 pages, board book, $5.99) Babies love to look at other babies. Penny Gentieu's photo board book capitalizes on that fact, allowing baby to look at others just like himself at various touch points throughout the first year of life. Everything from a newborn's ability to grasp a parent's finger to a 12-month-old able to stand on her own. This would fit perfectly into a baby's beginning library. Animal Safari Written and illustrated by Peggy Tagel (Silver Dolphin Books, 10 pages, board book, $12.95) Little hands will love to touch the squishy shapes of the animals in this brightly illustrated, 3-D picture book. The characters in the book travel to savannas, jungles and coral reefs, and children get to feel the shapes and name the animals, making their own discoveries along the way. For ages 2-5 Little Red Written by Sarah Ferguson; illustrated by Sam Williams (Simon & Schuster; 30 pages, hardcover, $15.95) It's a perfect day for a picnic at Buttercup Cottage and Little Red and her friends are off to enjoy the day. They fill the basket with goodies and friends Little Blue, Roany the Pony and Gino the Dog set off. But while on their picnic, they hear a frightening noise. The others want to go home, but brave Little Red knows that if someone is in trouble, they must help. Sure enough, a bunny is stuck on a lily pad after a jumping contest with some frogs. Little Red and her friends, working together, are able to save the bunny and the day. Sarah, the Dutchess of York, has fashioned a charming little story that will appeal to little girls in particular, for whom Little Red, with her moxie and fearlessness, is a good role model. The illustrations, in watercolor and pencil, are pastel sweet. Hushabye, Bearcub Written and illustrated by Strawberrie Donnelly (McGraw Hill Publishing, 20 pages, hardcover, $13.95) This gently rhyming story depicts the soothing bedtime routine of father and son bears - the hot chocolate, the playtime, the bath, story and finally bed. The illustrations are cheerful and warm, and the rhyming text will help little ones make a connection with words. This has the makings of a bedtime classic. A Moose Called Mouse Written and illustrated by Martine Murray (Independent Publishers Group, 32 pages, hardcover, $6.95) A young girl has a secret rendezvous every night with a moose called Mouse. She wears horns made of cauliflower so she looks just like him. They climb a big hill and await the rising of the sun, and the promise of a new day. The illustrations are bold, colorful and childlike - flights of fancy, like the simple, charming story itself. Little Quack Written by Lauren Thompson; illustrated by Derek Anderson (Simon & Schuster, 32 pages, hardcover, $14.95) Mama Duck had five little ducklings that all live in a warm nest. But now it is time for the little ducks to swim. One by one, they all get the courage to jump in the water - all except for Little Quack. He puts one webbed foot in the water. Will he get the courage to jump? This charmingly illustrated book, done in acrylic on canvas, includes a "quack-ulator" on the bottom of the page so young ones can keep track of how many ducks are in the water. This is a nice touch for little ones learning their numbers and the basics of addition. With a Little Help From Daddy Written and illustrated by Dan Andreasen (Simon & Schuster, 28 pages, hardcover, $15.95) A little blue elephant says he's the bravest boy on the block, the strongest boy on the block, the fastest boy on the block...and the happiest boy on the block, all thanks to Daddy, in this delightful book that celebrates the love and camaraderie between fathers and sons. The illustrations, done in oil, are vibrant and expressive. For ages 4-8 Kiss the Cow Written by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand (Candlewick press, 26 pages, paperback, $5.99) Mama May has many children, but Annalisa is her most curious and most stubborn. Every day Mama May milks Luella the cow by singing her a loving song, then kissing her on the nose to ensure more milk production the next day. Annalisa is fascinated by this - she wants to milk the cow, and does, but absolutely will not kiss the cow. And Luella refuses to give milk unless she is kissed. Everyone begs and pleads with Annalisa to kiss the cow for the sake of all her siblings who need the milk and cheese. Finally, she agrees - and finds kissing a cow most agreeable. This is a fun book, nicely illustrated in mixed media on velum. And the story may help children realize the importance of cooperation in family life. The Alphabet Keeper Written and illustrated by Mary Murphy (Alfred A. Knopf, 32 pages, hardcover, $14.95) The stern Alphabet Keeper keeps all the letters locked in a cage in the dark, hoarding them. But one day when she's cleaning the cage, the letters burst free and cause havoc as she tries to contain them again. It's an alphabet adventure as the letters keep scrambling and rearranging themselves at every turn, so that her hat becomes a cat, and a bus turns into a bush. This hilarious tale, along with the clever illustrations, will have kids laughing and help budding readers learn new words. |
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