Let's Look for Opposites 

by Bill Gillham and Susan Hulme

Summary: Illustrates such opposite concepts as full/empty, open/shut, top/bottom, and dark/light, using photographs and sentences.

This book is ideal to read to children from birth. The illustrations are photographs which infants often enjoy. However, the photographs are somewhat dated. The short and simple text makes it a wonderful one on one read to young children with short attention spans. The book may also be used to teach opposites.

Interest Level: birth-age 4

Reading Level: grade 1

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Bathing 

by Liesbet Slegers

Summary: A book filled with illustrations that celebrates bathing at bath time. 

This is a short, small board book. The sturdy pages allow very young children to hold this book. This is an excellent read for young children who do not want to take baths. It also may be helpful for older children with special needs who are reluctant to take baths. In a special school where I worked, we “scripted” everyday matters for students up to age 21, as many educational institutions for special needs children do. The scripts would include steps involved in common situations with which certain students regularly would become frightened, angry, or confused (for example, doctor visits, fire drills, and bathroom usage). To overcome the anxiety associated with these situations, we scripted steps to make those overwhelming daily activities manageable for children with special needs. 

Interest Level: infant-age 4

Reading Level: grade 2

Concept Books: Colors

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One Starry Night 

by Lauren Thompson

Summary: As all sorts of animals watch over their young, Mary and Joseph watch over their baby boy, Jesus, in Bethlehem.

This is a wonderful bedtime story, especially during the Christmas season and for celebrating a mother’s love for her offspring. The illustrations of animal and human characters are fantastic; they have pointed features and are heavily outlined in black. Though not a tradition prayer, this rhyming text ends with “amen.”

Interest Level: birth-age 4

Reading Level: grade 1

Good Night, Gorilla 

by Peggy Rathmann

Summary: When an unobservant zookeeper goes home locks up for the night, all the animals he thinks he has left behind in the zoo follow him home.

This adorable bed time story is available in different formats including board books and large sized. Caretakers may ask young children to identify all of the zoo animals as the book is read aloud.

Interest Level: birth-age 4

Reading Level: grade 1

I Like Vegetables

by Lorena Siminovich

Summary: An introduction to several different vegetables and also to the concept of opposites.

This is a super board book to share with very young children. There are one or two words on each page; a child does not need to have a large attention span in order to enjoy this book. The textured illustrations make this book ideal for any child who likes to hold books or touch the pages. For preschool age children, this book is great to introduce the concept of opposites.

Interest Level: age 0-4

Reading Level: grade 1

Go! Go! Bo Bo Colors

by Simon Basher

Summary: Little Bobo bounces from his bed through a series of bright items demonstrating basic colors.

This is a pretty good book considering its simplicity. The text is limited to the name of a color on each page.



One Rainy Day 

by Tammi Salzano

Summary: Scenes from a rainy day teach colors.

The illustrations of the shiny rain drops are superb! This short simple story is nice to read with children who have read many simple board books.

Interest Level: infant-age 4

Reading level: grade 3

 

Alligator Bear Crab: A Baby's ABC

by Lesley Wynne Pechter

Summary: Illustrations of animals from an alligator to a zebra, including such creatures as a loon, an urchin, and a vole, introduce the letters of the alphabet.

This book is not very creative, but will be enjoyed by young children first handling board books and young children who like animals. 

Interest Level: infant-age 4

Reading Level: grade 1

Goodnight Owl

by DwellStudio

Summary: Simple text invites the reader to look under lift-up flaps to find various creatures as they go to sleep at night in the forest.

This is an adorable bedtime story for young children. Children can be actively involved in the book by lifting the flaps and finding what is hidden beneath. The story ends with a very cute surprise.

Interest Level: birth-age 4
Reading Level: grade 1

 In the Park

by Mandy Stanley

Summary: Labeled illustrations present words associated with parks, such as tree, inline skates, and merry-go-round.

This colorful, glittery board book is sure to catch the attention of even very young babies! On each page, there is one word or label for the picture. A long attention span is not required to enjoy this book

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

Chew, Chew, Gulp!

by Lauren Thompson

Summary; Illustrations and simple, rhyming text demonstrate a variety of ways to eat different foods

This book is a celebration of food! When reading aloud, listeners can be involved by making the noises that are in the book.

Interest Level: infant-age 4
Reading Level: grade 1

This Tree, 1, 2, 3

by Alison Formento

Summary: A tree behind a school counts for students the ten ways that it serves the needs of different animals.

This is a unique counting book. The pages are extremely thick, which makes it ideal for young children who like to hold books themselves. When reading to a preschool age child, an adult can discuss the double meaning of “this tree counts.” The tree literally counts things but also counts or makes a difference in this world. This book is appropriate for any environmental discussions with young children.

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

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

Chicken Chicken Duck!

Chicken Chicken Duck!

by Nadia Krilanovich

Summary: Easy-to-read, rhythmic text about a group of farm animals, led by a tenacious duck, who play a noisy game together.

This is a cute, mildly amusing book that is appropriate for very young children. It may be used to teach children to identify farm animals.

Interest Level: birth-age 4
Reading Level: grade 1

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

Bedtime Bunnies

Bedtime Bunnies

by Wendy Watson

Summary: Bunnies scamper, scurry, splash, zip, and snuggle as they get ready for bed.

This simple book is wonderful for the very young. The onomatopoeia is fun for young ones, especially children who are just starting to imitate what they have heard.

Interest Level: birth-age 2, ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

Librarianjk recommends Zooborns

Zooborns: The Newest, Cutest Animals From the

World's Zoos and Aquariums

by Andrew Bleiman

Summary: ZooBorns features the newest and cutest exotic animal babies from accredited zoos and aquariums around the world.

I love this book! There is nothing like a cute baby animal to cheer me up. This book’s vibrant photographs make it excellent for reading to the very young and for new readers to read independently. The last pages include more facts about the animals in the book.

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4, grades K-3, grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 2