Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Board Book Roundup


Board books have a special place in my heart because they are the books that start it all.  They are among the first books that I read to my little sweethearts, the first books that they hold (and try to eat!), and the first books that they fall in love with.  I've compiled a list of a few of our favorites.  I have them memorized, I have a spot reserved for them in the diaper bag, and I've had to replace a few because they have been loved to pieces.

I do have one slight issue with board books.  I refuse to check them out from the library due to their hands-on nature.  Kind of grosses me out.  That being said, I am always looking for recommendations before I buy a new one, so please share your favorites in the comment section!

The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear

Written by Audrey Wood and Illustrated by Don Wood
 
  In this story, the reader playfully interacts with the mouse to warn him of the hungry bear and the bear's love for freshly picked strawberries.  The little mouse will win your heart over as he tries to keep his strawberry hidden from the big hungry bear.  He tries locking it up, burying it, and disguising it, but the only thing that will keep the bear from finding the strawberry is to cut it up and share it. 

From Head to Toe

 by Eric Carle
 I have many favorites written by Eric Carle, but this one may take the cake.  Children are asked to do movements that mimic animals.  The movements start with the head and go all the way to their toes.  Fun and interactive.

The Very Busy Spider

by Eric Carle



 The busy spider starts spinning her web bright and early in the morning.  Throughout the day, she is invited by other barn animals to participate in activities with them.  She always replies that she is very busy and keeps on spinning her web.  Towards the end, Rooster asks the spider if she would like to help her catch the pesty fly, and at that moment the spider catches the fly in her web.  My little ones love to feel the spider web, which is raised on the pages and continues to develop as the spider works on it throughout the book.  This is also one of my favorite books to dramatize and add voices to as I read aloud.

*As a side note, I loved this book so much that I ordered some to give as baby shower gifts.  When they arrived, they were miniature sized and I had to return them.  Check the dimensions before you buy!


Barnyard Dance

by Sandra Boynton

 

Full of rhythm and cadence, one can't help but read this in the form of a hoedown song.  I dare you to try not to.  The barnyard animals swing and twirl and bow, and my little ones can't resist it.


The Belly Button Book

by Sandra Boynton
 

This was the very first board book that I bought.  I bought it when I was in a children's literature class in college.  My professor had book orders available, and I couldn't resist buying it after seeing a highlighted page from this book in the book order.  I am so glad that I bought it because the rest of it is just as cute.  Thanks to this book, our family doesn't refer to our belly buttons as belly buttons.  They are, and forever will be, referred to as "bee bos".

Dear Zoo

by Rod Campbell
 
 Dear Zoo is a lift-the-flap book that has provided us hours of quiet time during church.  The premise of the story is that a child writes to the zoo to send him a pet, and the zoo sends him an animal.  Each of the zoo animals has a quality that would make them unqualified for a home pet.  The child sends each animal back and the zoo sends him a new one in return, until they finally send a pet that is perfect.  Each animal is sent in a crate.  The child can pull on the flap to see what animal is inside the crate.


Goodnight Gorilla

by Peggy Rathman
 

One can't help but adore the naughty little gorilla who unlocks all of the cages at the zoo as the zookeeper is saying goodnight to the animals.  All of the animals follow the zookeeper back to his house.  The poor zookeeper's wife wakes up to find a bedroom full of animals, and sets out to return them.  She is ALMOST successful.  Peggy Rathmann does a fabulous job with the illustrations.  My little ones love looking for the balloon and the moon, which are included in the illustrations on almost every page.


Bear Wants More

by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
 
 Bear just came out of hibernation and is starving!  Thank goodness he has sweet friends who help him find food and throw him a party.  Unfortunately, he eats too much and creates the problem of getting stuck in his front door.  My kids adore Bear.



Alright, I want to hear your favorites!  Do share!

3 comments:

  1. I especially like Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" in board book version. My little one loves to stick her fingers in the finger holes as we count the fruit. Thanks for all of the other suggestions! They look darling!

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    1. Yes! A perfect one for board book format! Thanks, Susanna!

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  2. I love Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! I also was given this as a gift. It's wonderful, because the tiny books easily fit into a diaper bag or even a pocket, so there's always a book on demand! You're going to have to copy and paste... Sorry!
    http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/disney-my-first-library-minnie-mouse-carry-along-board-book/1041162903?gclid=CIuQ97fz-bwCFe87MgodpgEAGA

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