Helen Oxenbury's Big Baby Book

Walker Children's Hardbacks, London, 2002.
Big Board Book edition, 12 pages, ISBN 0-7636-2016-5.

"I touch..., I see..., I can..., I hear..., I am...," each introduce six common things or experiences in the world of babies and toddlers. A single word is accompanied by two explanatory pictures in this large format boardbook.

Best for parents or caregivers to use with very young children.

Fosters print motivation and print awareness by labeling pictures with text. Builds vocabulary comprehension.

Moo, Bah, La La La! by Sandra Boynton

Little Simon, New York, 1982.
Boardbook edition, 14 pages, ISBN 978-0671449018.

A charming and funny little book for introducing a few common farm and domestic animals and the sounds they make... with a rhino tossed in. Boynton throws a curveball with the chorus line of pigs singing "La La La!", but most young ones will enjoy identifying and correcting the proper vocalization. It's amazing how much can be expression can be communicated with simple round eyes and dotted pupils, with a line for lowered eyelids.
The large format boardbook makes it usable at a baby/toddler storyhour, or at home.

Print awareness with very large accessible text on each solid pastel-colored page. Easily memorizable short sentences and animal sounds. Older siblings may be able to work out sight words.

What's Up, Duck? by Tad Hills

Schwartz & Wade, New York, 2008.
Boardbook edition, 22 pages, ISBN 978-0-375-84738-7.

A beginning book of opposites featuring Duck & Goose from Hills' series. Uncluttered backgrounds accentuate the figures of Duck & Goose as they act out simple concepts for the very youngest learners.

Best for close-up use individually with babies and toddlers.

Print motivation is enhanced through having books to handle and read with parents and caregivers. Print awareness is developed through modeling right to left movement on the page, as well as page turning. Vocabulary development is broadened through hearing words and relating them to action on the page.

Part of Hills' award winning Duck & Goose series.

2008 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
2008 Oprah's Book Club Kids Reading ListALA Notable Children's Book