Picture Books, from birth to age 4
Bulldozer’s Big Day, Candace Fleming (Atheneum) Bulldozer wants to invite all his vehicle friends to his birthday. But Digger says it’s a scoop day, Cement Mixer believes it’s a stirring day and the others are busy, too. Active verbs and noises make this a dramatic read-aloud and there’s a special surprise for Bulldozer (and readers) at the end.
The Full Moon at the Napping House, Audrey Wood (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) Thirty years after Woods’ “The Napping House,” this new cumulative read-aloud places the same characters in a restless house flooded with the full moonlight. Once gain rhythms, repetitions and soft colors lull small children.
If You’re a Robot and You Know It, Musical Robot, David Carter, illustrator (Cartwheel Books) Singing + pop-up + twist on the familiar song = guaranteed fun.
Shapes and Homes, Judith Nouvion (HMH) The artistry of the natural photographs for these concept books will be as much a treat for parents as they are for toddlers.
Snuggle Up with Mother Goose Iona Opie (Candlewick) Rosemary Wells’ tender animal illustrations and Opie’s well-chosen classic rhymes picture busy toddler days.
Wild About Us!, Karen Beaumont (HMH) It’s never too early to begin building a young child’s strong sense of self, especially in a way that’s playful. Karen Beaumont’s warthog narrator knows his tusks and warts are unappealing, but in “my own special way I’m as cute as can be.” Whimsical rhymes and pictures show other zoo animals similarly satisfied with their appearance.
