For Other Professionals
Summer Reading
2009 Big Summer Read
Recommended Books for 0-3 Year Olds
It's never too early to start reading to children. It's also a great way to engage very young children anywhere, any time, and make children feel at home, even when traveling.
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 2009 guide for 0-3 year olds (340K PDF)*
Simple, colorful graphics are used to illustrate paired opposites seen in a garden: short caterpillar and long snake; mama bird asleep, hatched eggs awake, and more, until a final foldout encourages readers to identify even more.
What better way for a family to travel to grandma's house than by jumping in their yellow car? Though the town, over the crosswalk, down the hill — to their destination: "Beep! Beep!"
There are all kinds of cats — cool, copy, striped, furry, bald, and more. They're shown in all their glory in full color photographs on sturdy, interactive pages that can be touched, unfolded, etc. Playful language and silly humor create a broadly appealing book.
A train of children "chuff" and "choo choo" down the tracks, through a tunnel, and into the sun — until they get to the beach. "Hooray!"
All children know a lot of things like when "I look in a mirror/what I see is me" and that they will continue to grow and learn. Poetic, child-like realizations combine with strong, uncluttered graphics to affirm and maybe even instruct.
Maisy takes to the kitchen in an apron and with washed hands to bake a cake in this interactive and informative book. She gathers ingredients, measures, mixes, bakes, and decorates. Then best of all, she shares it with her friend!
Oscar, a young cat, learns from his friend Bat that "our ears help us know what's around us, even when our eyes can't." Thus begins a fascinating sound adventure filled with information in an attractive format.
This appealing, sturdy book presents photographs of emperor penguin chicks (and adults) going about their daily business of fishing, cuddling, and generally taking care of one another. It is sure to create warm feelings regardless of the snowy landscape.
A young raccoon seeks attention from her ever-patient mother. She wants to be held then put down throughout their day together, until the youngster whispers "good night." Soft illustrations in warm hues show their cozy world and affectionate relationship.
When their mother tells them their day of play is about to end, two ducklings run away — "pit-a-pat" — until it starts to rain. Gentle illustrations depict the appealing toy duck family.
Chubby, rounded children in bright colors whish and swish, shake and bang in this sturdy board book with its built-in rattle. The rattle adds to the playfulness, though the language alone will get the young children moving.
A heart shaped cut out on the front cover invites readers into the book in which child-like illustrations in primary colors depict adults' unconditional love for children. Round-faced, smiling adults love them when they are shy or sharing, stinky or squeaky clean.
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