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Books

Snuggle up Take a wonderful journey through words By Craig ReemPublished: April, 2008

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Reading time often is quiet time. The computer and TV are turned off, and the rowdiness of the day has created a certain fatigue. As the body fades, the young mind is still alert for a good story, read by a loving parent. That is why snuggly books are considered an industry in the children’s book category. They work as well for 2-year-olds as they do for 10-year-olds. They are the books to read to your child, even when he is a very good reader. We’ve chosen 9 books that should touch your heart and soul. Take the time to make some choices. [For ages 2-5] ¡Dénse Vuelta!: Una Cancion de Cuentas Roll Over! A Counting Song Illustrated by Merle Peek, from the 1969 song by Edith Fowler (Clarion Books, hardcover, 24 pages, $5.95) A bilingual counting book about a bed filled a little too full with youngsters and animals is the idea behind this effort. The Spanish and English lyrics on each page make it easy for the bilingual family to follow along or work on learning the words to a new language. The countdown follows the group effort to get a few less folks in the bed, and so when they all roll over, 1 more falls out. Ah, to be the last one sleeping… [For ages 2-4] Bunny Kisses (Golden Book, hardcover, 14 pages, $9.99) If nothing else, board books are getting more inventive. This one has a button to press for more kisses, shades on a page to play peek-a-boo and much more. Bunny loves to play with other animals, whether it’s to tickle them or kiss them – it doesn’t matter. On every page, there is something new to do, which should keep the very young child coming back for more. Just keep pressing that button. Little Cow (Finger Puppet Book) Illustrated by Klaartje van der Put (Chronicle Books, hardcover, 14 pages, $6.95) Another inventive board book allows the parent to move the little cow around, page by page, by using a finger in the moveable animal. For the parent, it’s time to be inventive and give the cow some expression and feeling. For the young child, he will learn some of the basics of the cow discovering the world around him. Colors and counting are among the simple rules of the road. A companion book: “Little Mouse.” [For ages 2-6] Wee Little Chick By Lauren Thompson; illustrated by John Butler (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, hardcover, 28 pages, $14.99) It is amazing that, despite the fact that less than 2% of Americans live on farms, it is the basic farm story that pulls us all in. And here’s another one, by the author of the “Little Quack” series. This darling story begins when the wee little chick cracks through its egg and sees mom, siblings and springtime in the barnyard. Life only gets better from this point onward. There are all the new friends to make and the haystack to climb. Perhaps the best part of the day is snuggling up to mama and simply falling asleep. [For ages 3-6] Little Golden Book Favorites Written and illustrated by Richard Scarry (3 stories, Golden Books, hardcover, 80 pages, $5.99) Three stories – “Chipmunk’s ABC,” “Good Night, Little Bear” and “The Bunny Book” – have been bundled together for the first time to deliver a common theme. The publisher describes the tales as “gentle lessons on sharing and tolerance,” and that is perfectly put. The illustrations are colorful, and the stories move by quickly. Your child may also move past this book soon, but it will be good that she stopped by for a reading. [For ages 5-7] The Chronicles of Narnia (pop-up) Inspired by the story by C.S. Lewis; pop-ups by Robert Sabuda (HarperCollins Publishers, hardcover, $29.99) The pop-ups in this book are a marvel and represent the 7 books in the series created by C.S. Lewis. While this book is great for the younger set, save it for those slightly older because you don’t want it destroyed by grabbing hands. Also, with a book like this, the paper, when torn, can create a choking hazard. But enjoy the book for what it is, a page-turner that opens into a fairyland of imagination. [For ages 3-5] Your Own Big Bed By Rita M. Bergstein; illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung (Viking Children’s Books, softcover, 36 pages, $15.99) This book, which will be released in June, is all about the place where we lay our heads. Our definition of “bed” may be different from beds used by the baby chick, the baby alligator or the baby sea turtle. And how you sleep as you get slightly older is a wonderful story about how your life slowly changes – every day, and, as this book points out, every night.   [For ages 5-8] Peter Spit a Seed at Sue By Jackie French Koller; illustrated by John Manders (Viking Children’s Books, softcover, 32 pages, $15.99) It is summertime, and boredom has set in. It’s hot, and there’s just not much to do. Or is there? This inventive story picks up, and quickly, when the watermelon truck arrives. There is much to eat and, of course, many seeds to spit. And when Peter spits a seed at Sue, it’s clear that summer has really kicked in. It’s amazing who gets in the line of fire (including a policeman). The book will be released in June. [For ages 8-10] Grandfather’s Dance By Patricia MacLachlan (Joanna Cotler Books, softcover, 88 pages, $5.99) A whole family comes together for a prairie wedding. The celebration brings diverse people together who share family as their circle of life. And that includes grandpa, who can dance a dance that brings them all closer together. Prolific children’s writer Patricia MacLachlan knows how to turn a story, and this is an excellent example. This is the Newbery Medal winner’s 5th book about the Witting family. NEXT MONTH: Summer Books To parents: Do you have a favorite summer book? Send us a note at ocfamily.com and click on “Feedback.”

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