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"As an ESL educator in Puerto Rico, I confront huge challenges in the classroom year after year. The Reading Rockets articles have been very useful and have influenced my teaching practices."
~ Lydia C.
2005 Holiday Buying Guide
Books for 0-4 Year Olds
Colorful pages to turn, a warm lap to sit on, and the familiar voice of a mom, dad, brother or sister – no wonder books are associated with love among young children. The ten books below are read-aloud books with kids ages 0-4, and are recommended for their gentle stories, award-winning illustrations, and lyrical language.
Binky
By: Leslie Patricelli
A pacifier is the familiar security object featured in this board book. The child, drawn in bold line on brightly colored backgrounds, remains the focus as he learns about binkies!
Blankie
By: Leslie Patricelli
A blanket is the familiar security object featured in this board book. The child, drawn in bold line on brightly colored backgrounds, remains the focus as he learns about blankies!
Llama Llama Red Pajama
By: Anna Dewdney
Even the bedtime rituals don’t subdue the dramatic baby llama and the nighttime fears that descend when Mama Llama leaves his room. Young readers (and their parents) will see their own behavior in the rhyming text and expressive and winning illustrations.
Puppies! Puppies! Puppies!
By: Susan Meyers
Illustrated by: David Walker
A rhyming refrain is repeated – “here and there and everywhere! Puppies! Puppies! Puppies!” – as the adorable dogs grow from tiny to naughty to grown-up (with lots in between). The over-sized format supports the delectable depictions of delightful dogs.
Red Light, Green Light
By: Anastasia Suen
& Ken Wilson-Max
Rhyming text and illustrations with bright color and bold form depict a child’s play with toy trucks, cars, and other things that move. Lines on the road are created by pencils, overpasses by books, and a teddy bear is seen in a traffic circle. The book shows the child's appealing, imaginary world, all within his control.
Rin, Rin, Rin/Do, Re, Mi
By: Jose-Luis Orozco
Illustrated by: David Diaz
Semi-abstract illustrations use bold lines and strong color to accompany and enhance the inviting text that encourages participation both in Spanish and English. Readers are invited to count, find words, and perhaps even sing (music is included) in this winning combination of words and images.
Shhh! Everybody’s Sleeping
By: Julie Markes
Illustrated by: David Parkins
All the grown-ups from the zookeeper to the President are sleeping and “you know who should be sleeping, just like the sun?” Mama’s “sweet little one,” of course. Night-toned illustrations with lots of detail and short rhyming text create a bedtime story that holds up to multiple readings.
Siesta
By: Ginger Foglesong Guy
Illustrated by: Rene King Moreno
Two children prepare for a backyard adventure, taking with them a rainbow of necessities: a blue backpack, a yellow book, even a multi-colored blanket to serve as their tent when they take a nap. The simple adventure is told in uncomplicated sentences presented in Spanish and English, and is illustrated in richly hued, swirling images.
So Much
By: Trish Cooke
Illustrated by: Helen Oxenbury
With each "ding dong!" of the door bell, another relative joins Mom and the baby to play and enjoy each other until the last arrival when the celebration really begins. The extended family who loves Baby SO MUCH celebrates Daddy's birthday.
Truck Goes Rattley-Bumpa
By: Jonathan London
Illustrated by: Denis Roche
Trucks come in many sizes and colors and serve many functions, including driving a little boy to his new home. Crisp lines, broad forms, and bold colors combine with the straightforward narration for a satisfying look at an ever popular topic: things that go.
Yuck!
By: Mick Manning
& Brita Granstrom
Baby birds and baby lizards don't eat what our baby eats! Those babies eat worms, fish, beetles and other yucky things. But those babies would say “Yuck!” to the warm milk that our baby enjoys. Light lines on large, warm-toned pages convey humor and just a bit of information to be shared again and again.
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