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Books as Gifts
2008 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 13 books below are read-aloud books for kids ages 0-4, and are recommended for their gentle stories, award-winning illustrations, and lyrical language.
Browse through the recommended books below or download the guide as a one-page handout you can easily take to the library or store.
- Download the 2008 guide for 0-4 year olds >
(332K PDF)
Of four kittens, only one is really excited about the possibility of snow but inspires the others to enjoy it when it finally comes. Bold line and simple form combine with straightforward text to create a captivating kittens’ world.
Join two children as they shake and dance and enjoy their neighborhood and get others to join in on the beat. Rhythmic language and jaunty, child-like illustrations make a trek all the way to a party.
Follow a family on vacation where it is clear that "When in Paris, everybody bonjours." Illustrations are reminiscent of Bemelmans' Madeline series with their delicate touch and fondness for Paris. An afterward provides a bit of information about the places visited.
Just when the five firefighters are getting ready to eat their dinner, an alarm sends them out to rescue a family and their cat. The small size, lots of onomatopoeic language, and a diverse cast of firefighters make this contemporary book even more appealing.
John is a truly gentle giant who sets out to make his way in the world. He finds a job with a royal family (providing climate control among other duties). John and his old friends find the true meaning of friendship when near disaster strikes.
Fish of every size, color, and disposition are shown in engaging illustrations and an animated rhyme, sure to please the youngest listener all the way to the satisfying conclusion with a "kiss, kiss, kiss," for Little Fish and Mom.
Words make music and it's sure apparent as the words and illustrations swirl and move around the pages of this lively and engaging book. Celebrate music and music-making when sharing this book aloud.
Sturdy pages introduce young readers to familiar ideas and objects in Spanish and English. From colors to shapes and things that go, this colorful book will introduce readers to vocabulary in two languages.
Descriptive language introduces a series of animals in both English and Spanish accompanied by Carle's signature illustrations. The animal word appears in both languages with one hidden by its picture on sturdy board that slides to reveal the other.
A cheerful child gets ready for bed, playing and saying "Peekaboo! I see…" until at last, ready for bed, the child sees "you!" This companion to Peekaboo Morning features the same child but stands alone.
Early on, toddlers can discover princesses and like to be treated as royalty. This is definitely true for the round-faced baby who with her sparkly crown and shoes doesn't understand why her loving parents call her silly names like cupcake. The humor is for the adults, the book is for young princesses everywhere.
Readers follow a car from the factory where it's manufactured to a family driving and maintaining it; through an accident (uh-oh!), towing, recycling, and a new car built. Simple language and crisp illustrations show the process. (Astute readers will notice the wheel on the right side as the author/illustrator is from England).
Everything you never knew you wanted to know about skin is presented in an engaging, light combination of photographs and drawn lines. The result is an informative book that can be shared in layers, demonstrating that "it's your skin that holds you in!"
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