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Expert Advice, Strategies and Resources for Raising Readers:

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  • Newborn

    0 to 4 mo

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    4 mo to 1 yr

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    1 to 3 yrs

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    3 to 5 yrs

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    5 to 8 yrs

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    8 to 11 yrs

Mini Reviews by Topic: “Best Read-Alouds, Clearly Classic”

Title: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Author: Michael Rosen

Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury

Stage(s): Toddler, Preschool

Why We Love It:

We're-Going-on-a-Bear-hunt

A father takes his four children out for a walk in the countryside. With a toddler on his shoulders, preschooler and two older siblings romping along, they are in seatrch of a bear. There’s chanting, adventure and plenty of opportunity to chime in as you share this classic story of a family adventure.

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Title: Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business

Author: Esphyr Slobodkina

Illustrator: By the author

Stage(s): Toddler, Preschool

Why We Love It:

Caps-for-Sale

A peddler sells caps, each stacked on his head. When he walks into the countryside for a nap, he wakes to find all of the caps gone. He sees monkeys in the tree above him, all wearing his caps. How the peddler manages to get the caps back makes for a delightful tale that has entertained generations of children since it was first published in 1940.

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Title: Hairy Maclary From Donaldson’s Dairy

Author: Lynley Dodd

Illustrator: By the author

Stage(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool

Why We Love It:

Hairy-Maclary-

It won’t take many reading before your child happily chants along with the regular metered rhythm of this delightful book. Detailed ink and watercolor pictures work perfectly in delivering the escapades of lovable Hairy Maclary and his canine friends. This is the first in a popular series.

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Title: Hippos Go Berserk!

Author: Sandra Boynton

Illustrator: By the author

Stage(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool

Why We Love It:

Hippos-Go-Berserk

Good luck finding a funnier, rhyming counting book than this Sandra Boynton classic. The rich visual detail combined with the consistent rhyming pattern will keep your child’s interest and attention for every reading of this short, colorful board book. A great early concept book for teaching counting, number sense and rhyme..

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Title: Each Peach Pear Plum

Author: Alan Ahlberg

Illustrator: Janet Ahlberg

Stage(s): Toddler, Preschool, Beginner

Why We Love It:

Each-Peach-Pear-Plum-1

This outstanding rhyming picture book makes use of all the nursery rhymes and fairy tales you’ve read to your children. Colorful and detail-rich pictures combined with rhyming couplets presented in an I Spy format are sure to entertain and hold your child’s interest. This book should be in every child’s library.

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Title: Barnyard Dance

Author: Sandra Boynton

Illustrator: By the author

Stage(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool

Why We Love It:

Barnyard-dance

Stomp, clap, bow and spin along with a variety of barnyard animals in this delightful Boynton book. The rhythm, rhyme and words work perfectly and encourage bouncing and dancing—things that young children love so much.

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Title: Llama Llama Red Pajama

Author: Anna Dewdney

Illustrator: By the author

Stage(s): Toddler, Preschool

Why We Love It:

llama-llama

Settling down for the night can be challenging for many young children including Llama llama.  After a story and kisses, Mama Llama  leaves little llama to sleep.  The separation proves too much for little llama whose imagination goes wild when mama does not immediately appear when called.  Young children will identify with little llama’s dilemma and find reassurance knowing that “ Mama Llama’s always near, even if she’s not right here.” The soothing rhythm and clever rhymes make this a hit and a favorite to recite.

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Title: Tumble Bumble

Author: Felicia Bond

Illustrator: By the author

Stage(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool

Why We Love It:

TumbleBumble

Rhythm and rhyme make this board book so much fun to share with young children. Your little one will soon be chanting and bouncing along with the animals in the story. Simple rhyming couplets and colorful pictures with just enough details for pointing and naming will will make this book a favorite.

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Title: Jamberry

Author: Bruce Degan

Illustrator: By the author

Stage(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool

Why We Love It:

jamberry

A bear and a boy go on a magical berry-picking adventure filled with ice skating elephants, a brass band of raspberry rabbits and shooting rockets. Bruce Degan’s lively illustrations, short rhymes and familiar repeats are especially enjoyable to young children.

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Mini Reviews by Topic

  • Bedtime
  • Best Read-Alouds
  • Clearly Classic
  • Concept Books
  • Feelings
  • Funny
  • Graphic Novels
  • Parenting
  • Relationships
    • Friendship
  • Rhyming Books
  • Wordless Books

Recent Blog Posts:

  • Why and How to Master Reading Aloud
  • Enrichment Activities With Children’s Books
  • Valentine’s Day Books and Activities
  • Does Re-reading Favorite Books Help Toddlers?
  • Developing Reading Stamina

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