In My Den

In My Den

by Sara Gillingham

Summary: What makes little bear's den so cozy? Is it little bear's warm earth and fluffy bed of leaves? Turn the colorful die-cut pages of this irresistible board book to discover just what makes little bear's den so cozy.

This board book’s text is mediocre, but the adorable bear finger puppet attached to the book is fantastic. The puppet can be used throughout the book because of a large hole in each page. This book is engaging for very young children and especially wonderful for children who are not interested in traditional books.

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Summary: This is the story of a caterpillar’s birth, extensive eating, and transformation into a beautiful butterfly.

I LOVED this book as a child. I would ask to have it read to me every night for a long time. The holes throughout the pages indicating where the caterpillar ate were very appealing. I always loved Saturday reading the variety of food the caterpillar had eaten.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Tiny Little Fly

Tiny Little Fly

by Michael Rosen

Summary: With a tramp and a roll and a swat, Great Big Elephant, Great Big Hippo, and Great Big Tiger try to capture Tiny Little Fly as he teases each one in turn.

This is an adorable book appropriate for very young listeners. This book can be used for an interactive audience. The text is repetitive and has many fun sounds to make, and a guessing game of which animal is on the next page can be played.

Interest Level: birth-age 2, ages 2-4

Reading Level: grade 2

Animals Slide and Find

Animals Slide and Find

by Bright Baby

Summary: Young readers can slide back panels to match animals with their close-up pictures, colors, babies, and names.

This is a wonderful, interactive book best suited for very young children.

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

Pig-a-boo: A Farmyard Peekaboo Book

Pig-a-boo: A Farmyard Peekaboo Book

by Dorothea DePrisco

Summary: Farm animals play a game of peek-a-boo in this hilarious book with flaps and touch-and-feel elements.

This is a wonderful, interactive book best suited for very young children. In order to make things more interesting for young children, parents can play games such as peek-a-boo or look-and-find as they read the book.

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

Librarianjk recommends The Boss Baby

The Boss Baby

by Marla Frazee

Summary: From the moment he arrives, it is obvious that the new baby is boss and he gets whatever he wants, from drinks made-to-order around the clock to his executive gym.

This is a humorous story that is appropriate simply for entertainment.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Last Song

Last Song: A Poem

 by James Guthrie

Summary: A squirrel family spends the day together--waking, playing, and nestling down to sleep under the eye of a watchful parent. Based on an old Scottish poem.

This book is wonderful for babies because it has very little text and vibrant illustrations. It is also appropriate to read to preschool age children before bed.

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4

Reading Level: grade 2

American Babies

American Babies

by The Global Fund for Children

Summary: Celebrate the American spirit with babies from all across the country

This is a cute board book with baby faces on each page which is appealing to very young babies.

Interest Level: birth-age 2
Reading Level: grade 1

Librarianjk recommends Heads

Heads

by Matthew Van Fleet

Summary: A cast of irresistible critters use their heads!
This book is spectacular! This popup book is wonderful for engaging very young readers. Though be forewarned, there are gross parts!

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 2

Note: popup, toy book, touch and feel, toddlers, babies, preschool

Librarianjk recommends Who Loves the Little Lamb?

Who Loves the Little Lamb?

by Lezlie Evans

Rhyming text reveals that, although baby animals are not always perfect, their mothers love them and help them through difficult moments.

This is a very cute book. It’s repetitive nature is ideal for asking young children prediction question. It is wonderful for discussing accidents are okay, and that animal and human mother’s love their children no matter what.

Interest Level: ages birth-2, ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 2

Concept Books for Preschool students

Click on image for larger print

Librarianjk recommends The World that Loved Books

The World that Loved Books 

by Stephen Parlato

Summary: In the world where all creatures read, marvelous transformations occur. Cats reading about mice become mice. Horses reading about fish become fish.

The illustrations in the book are absolutely beautiful! Each animal is shown as a collage of what they are reading about. This book is a wonderful book to celebrate reading.

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4, grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 6

Librarianjk recommends Good Night Moon

Good Night Moon
by Margaret Wise Brown

A little bunny says goodnight to everything in the room before falling asleep. The story is in rhyme.

This is a classic story and favorite to many. It is a simple book to help children fall asleep.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Books for Babies

They may not understand the stories, but many studies have shown that children benefit from hearing stories from birth. Rhythmic text helps babies in developing speech. Board books are wonderful for babies who like to grab or children who cannot seem to turn a page without tearing it. The pages are very thick and extremely difficult to rip. As they grow older, allow them to point to pictures, talk about the illustrations, and predict what will happen next. This also helps children develop an interest in reading. The books in this bibliography include books that are “lift-the-flap” and “touch and feel”. Many have photographs which many young children enjoy especially when the photographs are of real babies like themselves!

Click on image for larger print