Mini Reviews by Topic: “Best Read-Alouds, Clearly Classic”
Title: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Stage(s): Toddler, Preschool
Why We Love It:
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.
Title: Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business
Illustrator: By the author
Stage(s): Toddler, Preschool
Why We Love It:
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.
Title: Each Peach Pear Plum
Illustrator: Janet Ahlberg
Stage(s): Toddler, Preschool, Beginner
Why We Love It:
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.
Title: Jamberry
Illustrator: By the author
Stage(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool
Why We Love It:
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.
Title: The Nutshell Library
Illustrator: By author
Stage(s): Toddler, Preschool, Beginner
Why We Love It:
The Nutshell Library
First published in 1963, this boxed set of four very little books were written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, one year before he published and won the prestigious Caldecott Award for Where the Wild Things Are. Three concept books include One was Johnny, a counting book, Chicken Soup With Rice, a book of months, and Alligators All Around, an alphabet book. The trio is rounded out with the cautionary tale, Pierre. Pair this with Carol King’s Broadway soundtrack, Really Rosie for a near-perfect gift.
Title: Good Night Moon
Illustrator: Clement Hurd
Stage(s): Newborn, Infant, Toddler, Preschool
Why We Love It:
Why We Love It
Since 1947, generations of children have been soothed to sleep by this classic bedtime tale of a bunny saying goodnight to objects in his room including “a quiet old lady whispering hush”. The language is soothing and slow with a rhyming pattern that makes the story so appealing to young children. In addition, there is a small mouse hiding on each page which is great fun for older babies and toddlers.