Thursday, February 4

Favorite Board Books for Baby

It's pretty baby-heavy around here nowadays. Which made me realize that for some crazy reason I haven't ever talked about board books.

What?? I know! Totally crazy. Especially since I was doing Baby Time at my library and everything.


So, without further ado, I present my favorite board books. (Which makes a lot of sense, now that I actually have a baby...)

But Not the Hippopotamus
Sandra Boynton

ISBN: 978-0671449049
Publisher: Little Simon

A hog and a frog cavort in the bog, and a bear and a hare have been to a fair...but not the hippopotamus. Will Hippo ever be able to join in the fun? Basically this is my most favorite board book ever. Ever. Do babies enjoy it? Sure, the rhymes are fun and pictures are cute. But this is one of those board books that parents like me who have a juvenile sense of humor will LOVE. Because the ending is priceless. I laugh every time. All of Boynton's board books are enjoyable.

Alice in Wonderland: A BabyLit Colors Primer
Written by Jennifer Adams, illustrated by Alison Oliver

ISBN: 978-1423624776
Publisher: Gibbs-Smith

White rabbit, orange cat, red hearts... It's as simple is as simple does. But that's the whole genius behind it! All of the BabyLit books (and there are a lot--woo!) and simple, educational primers. Alice in Wonderland is a color primer. But it still has the essence of the original classic. So, not only are these books educational, they introduce babies to foundational, literary classics! Plus, they're freakin' adorable. As a librarian, I could not NOT love these books. Try out any of them! (Pride & Prejudice, Sherlock Holmes, and Moby Dick are some of my other favorites)

Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book!
Dr. Seuss

ISBN: 978-0679882817
Publisher: Random House

Big A, little a, what begins with A? Well, Aunt Annie's alligator, obviously. This one is my own childhood favorite, which is part of the reason I love it now—if it's stuck with me this long, then I'm sure my child will benefit from it. The alliterations, the almost sing-song rhyming scheme, and (of course) imaginative illustrations really are fun for baby and keep this classic on the top of my favorites list.

Tails
Matthew Van Fleet

ISBN: 978-0152167738
Publisher: HMH Books

"Tails fluffy, Tails stringy, Scaled tails strong and—clingy!" This here is an awesome touch-and-feel book. It has rhyming text, fun textures, cute animals--not to mention pull tabs and peek-throughs and all sorts of fun, interactive aspects. It's perfect for babies! Textures are such a fun way for them to learn. Though, I will note, it is easier to damage. They are PULL tabs after all, and not all toddlers know their own strength... But still, it's my favorite touch-and-feel book.

Peek-A Who?
Nina Laden

ISBN: 978-0811826020
Publisher: Chronicle

Peek-a-boo! Die-cut windows and surprise finds based on the classic baby game make this book another fun one for babies. The simple rhymes and illustrations allow for an almost guessing-game experience. But it's the ending that makes this one a favorite of mine! SO adorable. You should go find it so you can discover for yourself.

Where Is Baby's Belly Button?
Karen Katz

ISBN: 978-0689835605
Publisher: Little Simon

Now here is another author, like Sandra Boynton, who just has a ton of awesome board books. Katz's are definitely more on the cute side of things (we also have Daddy Hugs which is so fun for dad to read as a bedtime story). This one, in particular, is all about baby anatomy. Which is totally fun because it's the perfect opportunity to introduce baby to her own cute little toes and head and belly button. Gah! The cuteness of it all...

Tickle
Leslie Patrecelli

ISBN: 978-0763663223
Publisher: Candlewick

Okay, one more favorite board book author: Leslie Patrecelli. Super simple texts and illustrations, but still somehow genius, you know? Take Tickle for example. Another awesome baby-anatomy book. But now you also get to tickle your child as you educate them! I love her opposites books too, like Quiet Loud, which also help with manners. Really, so simple and to the point, and thus, perfectly fun and educational.

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