Books for Infants & Toddlers

STARTING OUT

Poetry and music: Sharing poetry and music with infants
and toddlers encourages imitation of language sounds and structure.

 

THE BABY’S GOOD MORNING BOOK by Kay Chorao. (J821.08 CHO) Lyric poems in moods from wistful to sassy are reflected in nostalgic sunny illustrations. 

THE BABY’S BEDTIME BOOK is another charming collection.

 HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES, AND TOES: AND OTHER ACTION RHYMES by Zita Newcome. (T NEW)A collection of nursery and counting rhymes, most accompanied by finger plays or other activities will keep little ones entertained for hours on end!

 READ-ALOUD RHYMES FOR THE VERY YOUNG complied by Jack Prelutsky. (J811 REA)  Refreshing selections about childhood from various poets with illustrations by Marc Brown.

 SINGING BEE! A COLLECTION OF FAVORITE CHILDREN’S SONGS compiled by Jane Hart. (J784.6 SIN) Beautifully illustrated by Anita Lobel, this collection of over 100 songs is a delight for all ages.

 

Board Books: The path to literacy begins with simple,
colorful board books that are sturdily constructed for infants.

BLACK ON WHITE by Tana Hoban. (T HOB) Displays black silhouettes, against white backdrops, of recognizable objects. Also WHITE ON BLACK, WHAT IS THAT? WHO ARE THEY? and SHAPES AND THINGS. 

THAT’S NOT MY BEAR by Fiona Watt. (T WAT) There are lots of friendly bears to meet and touch in this touchy-feely board book.  Also THAT’S NOT MY… KITTEN, PUPPY, TRACTOR, FAIRY, DOLLY, DRAGON, SNOWMAN, MERMAID, ROBOT and TRAIN.

 YUMMY YUCKY by Leslie Patricelli. (T PAT) Some things are yummy. Some things are yucky.  But everything is fun!  Also BIG LITTLE and QUIET LOUD.

BEGINNING CONCEPTS

 

BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE? by Bill Martin, Jr. (E MAR) This familiar rhyme, with delightful illustrations by Eric Carle, will introduce children to colors.  Also POLAR BEAR, POLAR BEAR and PANDA BEAR, PANDA BEAR.

CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM by Bill Martin, Jr. (E MAR) (ABC) An alphabet rhyme/chant that relates what happens when the whole alphabet tries to climb a tree.  Also CHICKA CHICKA 1, 2, 3.

MOO MOO, BROWN COW by Jakki Wood. (T WOO) Toddlers learn about numbers and colors as a lively kitten visits the barnyard asking mother animals about their babies.

ONE DUCK, ANOTHER DUCK by Charlotte Pomerantz. (E POM)  At first reluctant to do it “properly”, Danny eventually becomes entranced with counting.

WHO’S COUNTING? by Nancy Tafuri. (T TAF)  Toddlers will love following the puppy though the field and into the barnyard, counting various animals on the way.

YOU AND ME by Stella Blackstone. (E BLA)  A boy and girl play an imaginary game, picturing themselves as opposites.

 

THE CHILD’S WORLD

Familiar objects and activities bring gleeful recognition
as children begin  to explore their surroundings.

  

BEAR GETS DRESSED by Harriet Ziefert. (T ZIE) Foldout pages reveal the answers to this guessing game story as Bear (with help from the young listener) picks out clothes appropriate for each day’s weather.  Also BEAR’S BUSY MORNING.

COME ALONG, DAISY! By Jane Simmons.  (T SIM) Daisy the duckling becomes so engrossed in playing with the dragonflies and lily pads that she temporarily loses her mother.

FLYING by Donald Crews. (T CRE) A sure bet to soar toddlers into imaginative flight via brilliant double-page illustrations and minimal text.  Also FREIGHT TRAIN and TRUCK.

HELLO WORLD by Michael Foreman. (T FOR)  A young bear and a child invite all the animals they meet to come with them to see the wonders of the world around them.

HOW DO I PUT IT ON? by Shigeo Watanabe. (T WAT)  Children will laugh and learn along with Bear as he finally succeeds in getting dressed. Also WHAT A GOOD LUNCH!

I SEE by Rachel Isadora. (T ISA)  In simple words and impressionistic watercolors, a baby responds to all the things she sees. Also I TOUCH and I HEAR.

JESSE BEAR, WHAT WILL YOU WEAR? by Nancy Carlstrom. (T CAR)  His audience will love following Jesse’s progress from morning to night.

LITTLE WHITE DUCK by Walt Whippo. (T WHI) Based on the song of the same title, a little white duck causes a commotion in its pond.

MY BIG BROTHER by Valorie Fisher.  (T FIS) Toddlers will love the photographs and simple text depicts a big brother from the point of view of his baby sibling.  Also, MY BIG SISTER.

RUNAWAY RABBIT by Ron Maris. (T MAR)  Rabbit encounters dogs, a duck, and other animals before eventually being recaptured by his owner.

THE SNOWY DAY by Ezra Jack Keats.  (E KEA) A small boy enjoys playing in the fresh new-fallen snow.

TRUCKS by Byron Barton. (T BAR)  Brightly colored illustrations, boldly outlined, provide an appealing introduction to transportation for the toddler.  Also TRAINS.

WHERE’S SPOT? by Eric Hill. (E HIL)  When a mother dog asks if anyone’s seen her puppy Spot, she repeatedly hears the toddler’s favorite refrain: “No”.

WHOSE NOSE AND TOES? by John Butler. (T BUT) In this playful book children will love guessing which animal the nose and toes belong to.  Also IF YOU SEE A KITTEN and WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING.

 

 

  BEDTIME STORIES

Bedtime family rituals introduce the reading habit while
settling even the most rambunctious little ones. 

GOODNIGHT MOON by Margaret Wise Brown. (T BRO)  The small rabbit says goodnight to his own familiar things.

HUSH, LITTLE ONES by John Butler. (T BUT)  Join baby animals and their mothers as they go to sleep in their natural environments.

IF YOU WERE MY BUNNY by Kate McMullan. (T MCM) A mother tells her baby how she would care for it if it were various animal infants and then she sings a lullaby about each baby animal.

LULLABY MOONS & A SILVER SPOON: A BOOK OF BEDTIME SONGS & RHYMES. (J811 LUL) A collection of lullabies and poems by various authors.

TIME FOR BED by Mem Fox.  (T FOX)  This gentle book, with its rhythmic verse and peaceful, loving illustrations will lull toddlers whether it’s for bedtime, nap time, or simply for a snuggle.