Today's our second day of giving and I'd like to present you with the books I picked out for my baby cousin Nicholas who's two years old this year. And if they're good enough for Nicky, you know they're some of my absolute favorites!
Can You
Make a Scary Face? and What Will Fat Cat Sit On? by Jan Thomas. Jan Thomas has quickly become one of my favorite picture book authors with her bright pictures and simple, humorous text. Both books encourage child participation and are delightful to read in groups or one-on-one.
Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox. I recommended this one for Nicky because he was such a fan of Sheep in a Jeep (by Nancy Shaw). Rhyming text describes all kinds of different sheep. Red sheep, blue sheep, high sheep, low sheep, near sheep, far sheep... but where is the green sheep??
Ten L
ittle Fish by Audrey Wood. This is a storytime favorite of mine. It's a simple, rhyming story that counts down fish from 10 to 1. The brightly colored, computer-generated illustrations capture the attention of our storytime kids. Your little one is sure to pore over them too.
Who is Driving? by Leo Timmers. Kids who love things that go will love this book. On each spread is a different car and a selection of animals wearing different outfits. Can your little one guess which animal will be the driver?
Stars! Stars! Stars! by Bob Barner. I love this book because it's a very simple, rhyming introduction to the stars and the planets. If you've got a little one who's noticing the night sky, this fits the bill perfectly!
Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert is another great book to jump start science concepts. With simple text and fun, colorful illustration Ehlert describes the life cycle of a butterfly. You could pair this one with The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
Mrs. McNosh
Hangs Up Her Wash by Sarah Weeks. Oh, Mrs. McNosh. She starts by hanging up her wash but soon progresses to hanging up wacky things like the newspaper and Grandpa McNosh's removeable teeth! This is a silly story that's sure to have your little one laughing along.
Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney. This wordplay and rhymes in this book make it great for developing early literacy and the sweet illustrations make it perfect for bedtime sharing. Little Llama does Not want to go to bed and he tries everything he can think of to stay up just a little bit later. I'm sure that never happens at your house, right? ;)
Bear Snor
es On by Karma Wilson. This is one of those new classic picture books that you'll want to add to your home library. It's perfect for the season. Bear's hibernating and he snores on even as mouse, rabbit, and others take refuge from a snowstorm in his cave. Your kids will love to join you on the chorus as "Bear snores on!"Any of these books would make a great choice for the toddler on your holiday gift-giving list this year!
Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!