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BOOKLISTS Building the Ultimate Home Library: Baby and Toddler There are SO many amazing picture books intended for children from birth to age five. Some have heartwarming or funny stories; others have stunning illustrations. The best have both. Still, how do you decide what's worth adding to your home library—knowing that your bookshelf space and book budget are limited—or even searching for...

BOOKLISTS Bunches of Bunnies: Fabulous Picture Books about Rabbits Who can resist a sweet little bunny? Sometimes mischievous, sometimes quiet and gentle, bunnies are frequent picture book stars. Here are some of my favorite fiction and nonfiction picture books about bunnies. All of these titles are in print and should be available from your local library or favorite bookstore. Those titles available from The...

TAKE READING TIME TO THE NEXT LEVEL Story Retelling through Play A wonderful way to supplement the reading experience for little ones who are being read aloud to (toddlers and preschoolers) or are just learning to read independently is by retelling a story through play. Retelling promotes discussion, develops language skills, fosters imagination, and allows little ones to practice recalling and re-creating the...

BOOKLISTS Puppy Love: 25 Picture Books about Dogs Everyone knows that dogs are man's best friend, so it's no surprise that they are central characters in so many beloved children's books. Here are 25 of my favorite picture books and easy readers starring dogs. All these books are in print—with one exception at the end of the list—and should be available from your local...

BOOKLISTS MEOW: 36 Charming Picture Books about Cats Fuzzy, curious, snuggly, opinionated. I’m just a tad partial to cats—but then so are little ones, who love to meow along with the cat heroes and heroines of their favorite stories. Here are 36 of my favorite fiction and poetry picture books about cats. All these books are in print—with one bonus exception at the end...

Back when I was first working as a librarian, I started an annual "Best of the Very Best" list, and I've kept it up every year since then—even after leaving the library. You may have noticed some of the many "Best of" book lists that come out toward the end of each year. Well, my "Best of the Very Best" list is a...

BOOKLISTS Splish Splash: 18 Super Bath Time Stories It's time for a bath! No matter our age (or our species), we all have to take the occasional bath. Here are some of my favorite fiction and nonfiction picture books about bath time for animals, children, and even a zany king. All these books are in print and should be available from your local...

BOOKLISTS 27 Great Bedtime Stories (That Aren't Goodnight Moon) Grab your favorite pajamas and a book—it’s time for bed! Bedtime is one of the most universal experiences for young children, so it’s no surprise that there are countless picture books about sleeping and the bedtime experience. The books on this list are some of my favorites (though you’ll see I left off the...

Pandas. They’re fuzzy, cute, slightly reclusive members of the animal kingdom—and they’re at risk of extinction as a result of habitat loss and poaching. The adorable stars of some of my favorite fiction and nonfiction picture books about pandas are sure to make your little ones panda fans for life. All of these titles are in print and should be available from your...

BOOKLISTS Picture Books for Horse Lovers Beloved by children and adults alike, horses have a very special place in our world and in our literature. Although some of the most famous fictional horses—Black Beauty, the Black Stallion, Misty of Chincoteague—star in novels for older children, there are also plenty of wonderful picture books about horses. Here are some of my favorites—and I’m a...