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There may be no more precious time of day than those moments taken by parents to snuggle up and read to their children. Even babies love to look at the bright pictures in sturdy board books and listen to simple text as their young brains figure out how to attach words to pictures. Older kids love the quiet time listening to parents’ voices, when they are free from distractions and concentrate just on them. Here is an assortment of books for the very youngest readers and listeners - among us. For ages infant-3 Bear and Ball Written and illustrated by Cliff Wright (Chronicle Books, board book, $5.95) Even the littlest of children can follow the adventures of two bear cubs as they learn to play with a ball. The gentle, rhyming story also introduces the concept of opposites as the cubs tumble and play. The illustrations, done in soft watercolors, are as soothing as the tender story. How to Rock Your Baby Written by Sibley Fleming; illustrated by John Amoss (Peachtree Publishing, hardcover, 28 pages, $14.95) There are plenty of books that come with instructions on how to feed, diaper and change a baby. But not one book says how to rock a baby. This humorous story follows one set of new parents who just can’t figure out how to rock. They try driving in a car, rowing a boat and going to the park with their baby before finally figuring out what the rocking chair is for. The bright pictures are lively and funny, and the story is told with tongue firmly in cheek. Daddy Cuddles Mommy Loves By Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben (Chronicle Books, board books, $5.95) “Mommy Loves” and “Daddy Cuddles” are perfect board books to share with little ones. Both use animal families to illustrate parents’ love for their children and both use gentle and colorful illustrations to make their point. For ages 3-6 Got to Dance Written by M.C. Helldorfer; illustrated by Hiroe Nakata (Doubleday Books, hardcover, 32 pages, $15.95) What to do when the day looks dull and there’s no excitement anywhere? Create a little of your own and dance, dance, dance, says the little girl in this joyful, fast-moving book. Writer M.C. Helldorfer injects plenty of rhythm into her prose as the little girl moves through the city with her grandfather, boogieing away as they go. The illustrations are bright and bouncy, and in perfect step with the text. Waddle, Waddle, Quack, Quack Written by Barbara Anne Skalak; illustrated by Sylvia Long (Chronicle Books, hardcover, 30 pages, $14.95) From the time a little duckling is hatched, she learns of the joy and warmth of her mama’s love, of her brothers and sisters, of the pond where they live. But soon the duckling gets lost, away from the safety of her mother, and goes on a hectic search before being reunited. First-time children’s author Barbara Anne Skalak has a warm, sympathetic way with the rhyming text, and the pen, ink and watercolor illustrations by Sylvia Long are finely detailed and naturalistic. Hiding in the Woods Written and illustrated by Maurice Pledger (Silver Dolphin Books, hardcover, 8 pages, $12.95) Exquisite, finely detailed illustrations follow a young deer as he sets off in the woods to find a better hiding place. On his travels with a friendly little mouse, he sees how the markings and colors of different animals and insects help them stay hidden from predators. Each page can be lifted to reveal a touch-and-feel feature, like the soft white fur of a rabbit or the scales of a snake. Polar Bear Night Written by Lauren Thompson; illustrated by Stephen Savage (Scholastic Press, hardcover, 28 pages, $15.95) One crisp, clear night a polar bear cub awakens from a warm sleep. Something is beckoning it to leave its mother and venture outside into the snow and ice. She passes sleeping walruses, seals and whales, and so begins a magical journey into the night before she finds her way back home. The illustrations were created with hand-carved linoleum blocks, simple in their shapes, but very sophisticated and effective in their colors and shadings. The Helen Oxenbury Nursery Collection Illustrations by Helen Oxenbury (Alfred A. Knopf, hardcover, 96 pages, $19.95) Celebrated British illustrator Helen Oxenbury notes in her introduction to this anthology that nursery rhymes stay with children their whole lives. The same could be said of the impact of her lovely illustrations, which combine elements of delicacy, humor and a great understanding of human nature. This collection contains familiar nursery rhymes and fairy tales and would be a nice addition to any young collector’s library. Nursery Collection: Bedtime Stories Illustrated by Susie Lacome (Silver Dolphin Books, hardcover, 24 pages, $12.95) Another take on traditional fairy tales is found in this nicely illustrated book. The pages are sturdy, like a board book, and are embossed and textured to resemble quilting. The colors are mostly gentle pastels, enhancing familiar stories like “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Frog Prince.” |
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