Book Finder

Crisp color photographs of fruits and vegetables are presented. One of each is presented on the left of the double page spreads, while variations of the fruit or veggie (e.g., there are 12 different citrus fruits) are introduced on the opposing page. There is potential to introduce new edibles — perhaps at your local farmer’s market — while counting and playing with numbers.

Two toddlers and their mothers spend a day at the beach. The children share activities that involve a seagull, a sandcastle, a crab, and a wave — until the moms dry them off and pack the kids and the car up. Loose pastel illustrations capture the airiness and adventure in the day’s simple pleasures.

This ode to building a house from the ground up features six kinds of craftsmen and the 24 tools they use, accurately labeled. The answer to each inquiring refrain is revealed under a gatefold, seven in all, engaging the reader in an informative guessing game.

Spot explores familiar shapes that can be seen in a child’s everyday life — a book is square, for example. Shapes and objects are presented in easy language and a signature-style of illustration.

Die-cuts in concentric circles on sturdy boards are used to focus on a small sand crab’s beach. Small fingers can animate the crab with a finger puppet that is affixed to the book.

“Chirp!” says a big-eyed bird; “Slurp!” responds the anteater. Animals both familiar and more exotic greet each other with one rhyming sound on opposite sides of each colorful spread.

From 10 to one, guinea pigs celebrating a birthday are eliminated one-by-one through recognizable (but minor) disasters. With a wish, however, the 10 are reunited to continue the playful celebration.

One by one, five googly-eyed little chooky chicks come together to pull a stubborn worm but need the help of a big rooster. Energetic language and jaunty illustrations reveal the surprise.

A long format is ideal to introduce boats large and small and the sounds they make as they “chum-splish” and “GRRRRR BRRRR…” across the sturdy, colorful pages of this lively book.

A puppy meets different animals asking each if she is his mother. Each responds in the negative but names her young — calf, duckling, etc. — until the puppy and his mommy are reunited.

What can you see at the beach? Lift the flap to find out then make repeat the animal’s sounds in this bright, playful book sturdy enough for young hands.

Tacky is an odd bird, very unlike his friends and colleagues. But it is Tacky’s peculiarities that save he and his friends from hungry predators. Humor is created by offbeat illustrations of Tacky’s behavior and clever language.

Peekaboo! Lift the paws and what do you see? Boldly colored, textured, cuddly animals giving — and getting — soft kisses to the reader. Ideal for sharing one-on-one, this predictable, repetitious, and interactive book has become a modern classic.

What can you “peek-a” through the die-cut window? Does it “moo”, say “boo” or could it be YOU? Turn the page and find out! A predictable format and bold illustrations are sure to engage and delight.

A new baby creates lots of excitement and all the animals want to kiss the baby duckling! Black pages with bold white lines depict the animals with splashes of color to highlight the joy and a repeating text makes this just right to encourage young children.

Every day, young children and their families can celebrate familiar things and activities in this sturdy, handsome, and appealing collection of 30 poems. Each short piece by a range of poets is about food, family, firsts, play and bedtime, creating a memorable collection just right for the youngest listener.

Tom rides his bicycle, passing busses, cars, and even an elephant. He then dons his costume and make-up for his job as a unicycle-riding circus clown. Broad forms and bright colors introduce Tom’s mode of transportation including the names of all the parts of a unicycle.

Hoppy, a small gray rabbit, uses his five senses to find out if spring has arrived yet. When it does, he calls his rabbit friends to share it with him. A recap of the five senses and what they do (and how Hoppy used them) finishes this lively look at a new and colorful season.

A surprise box is delivered to the very grumpy Elephant. In it, he discovers a host of hats which he shares with his animal friends to improve their grumpiness, too. Flat forms on open pages make this a true celebration of friendship — and hats!

Familiar animals and their young are presented in a game-like board book that engages and informs. The text on the parent’s page and colors provide clues as young children turn smaller pages to identify the puppy, hatchling, kitten, hamster and fish. Forest animals are presented in a companion book, You Are My Baby: Woodland (opens in a new window) (Chronicle).

To begin the family frolic, the bald, comically illustrated but appealing baby asserts, “I am NOT ticklish!” Father and child are joined by mom and pets until it’s time to start again. The same baby and family explore bodily noises in Toot (opens in a new window) (Candlewick).

A duckling is afraid to swim but with the continued encouragement of his parents and siblings makes the plunge. Surprisingly expressive photographs and the duckling’s rhyming narrative convey emotions ranging from trepidation to the joy of success.

The lyrical lullaby begins on the day Kulu was born with, “all of the Arctic Summer was there to greet you.” Each animal bestows on the baby something special, from heritage to instinct. Gentle illustrations in soft hues swirl as each creature embraces the newborn.

A jolly group of young children visit baby animals at a farm, chasing, following, feeding them — and more. Each activity includes a sound or a word sure to encourage repetition. Soft lines and gentle colors capture the diverse group of toddlers on each sturdy page!