CBW Roundup: Books for Tiny Readers

Here are some of our favorite books for babies and preschoolers: classics we loved even before we could read them, and new fare for today's itty bitty bibliophiles.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Bill Martin and Eric Carle

Our kids still remember the words to this rhythmic creation, which is full of Carle's bright tissue paper and acrylic collages.  Carle's work remains some of the most popular in children's literature; here he is at Harvard Graduate School of Education, in 2010.  We are also big fans of Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and The Grouchy Ladybug.

 

Boynton Books

We absolutely love Sandra Boynton's lively, colorful board books, particularly Hippos Go Berserk, Barnyard Dance, and Your Personal Penguin.  

Each Peach Pear Plum, by Janet and Allen Ahlberg 

A gorgeous little guessing game that kids are sure to love.





 The George and Martha stories, by James Marshall

'George and Martha teach each other (and adoring readers) that even in a close friendship, privacy is important, practical jokes can sometimes backfire, and among other things, pouring split pea soup into your loafers to spare the chef’s feelings is not the best-laid plan.'  Generations of readers remember these wonderful hippos, whose complete stories are now available in a special collector's edition.

 

Here Comes the Cat, by Frank Asch and Vladimir Vagin
This bilingual book about friendship is both suspenseful and charming.  In English and Russian.

  

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie series, by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond

The catchy phrasing and cute illustrations in this book and its sequels make them great additions to every young reader's library.

 

The Napping House, by Audrey and Don Wood
The amusing rhymes and spirited illustrations make this the perfect bedtime book.
 





 

  
Sheep in a Jeep, by Nancy Shaw and Margot Apple    

This funny little rhyming book delivers exactly what it advertises and more.  Margot Apple's colored pencil sheep are adorable.

 

Tuesday, by David Wiesner

Wiesner at his whimsical best.  This silent tale of frogs in flight will delight even the youngest readers, even if the humor takes a few years to grow into.  

  

Zoom, by Istvan Banyai
A sprawling picture book full of travel and surprises, Zoom's intriguing landscapes are fabulous fun for even the smallest children.

Kim Prosise