Mommy List #5: My Favorite Board Books

It’s hard to limit myself to my “Top Ten,” but here goes:

1. Snuggle Puppy! A Little Love Song, by Sandra Boynton. Boynton is probably one of the most prolific childrens’ author/illustrators of our time. This particular book is my daughter’s favorite by far though. The contrasts of silly and sweet, loud singing and whispered secrets were just enough to get her hooked.
2. Listen, Listen! by Phillis Gershator. Lyrical text and marvelous “crackle” illustrations to celebrate the sights, sounds, and wonders of all four seasons. Beautiful!
3. Ten Little Rabbits, by Virginia Grossman & Sylvia Long. My in-laws live in New Mexico and often send books celebrating Native American tradition. This is a beautiful counting book with stunning illustrations. Winner of multiple book awards.
4. Baby Loves, by Michael Lawrence. Baby loves a lot of things, but Mommy and Daddy love baby more than anything. Sweet text and charming illustrations. I really don’t mind reading this one over and over.
5. I Love Animals, by Flora McDonnell. As a former vegetarian, I have a special fondness for animal books. This one has really cute illustrations too. 
   

   I Love Animals by Flora McDonnell

6. Splash! by Flora McDonnell. A playful baby elephant saves the day! Adorable, bright illustrations. This book would make a particularly refreshing read for a hot, summer day.
7. Yummy Yucky, by Leslie Patricelli. ”Burgers are Yummy. Boogers are Yucky.” Hilarious introduction to opposites!!! Simple text and bold illustrations…very engaging for babies (and parents).
8. Baby Beluga, by Raffi. I love ALL of the Raffi board books (“Songs to Read” series), but this one is my favorite. I remember singing this song to my sisters when they were little, and now I get to share it with my children…”Baby beluga in the deep blue sea…swim so wild, and you swim so free…”
9. My Love For You, by Susan L. Roth. A counting book, an animal book, and a feel-good, lovey-dovey book all in one! The collage illustrations are nice too. Also available in Spanish.
10. I Howl, I Growl, by Marcia Vaughan. It’s a nature book/rhyming book/opposites book about desert critters with a cute (albeit stinky) ending. Another wonderful gift from my mother-in-law!

Notice: I reserve the right to update this list as new favorites are discovered.

 Happy Reading, 

Michelle

Playful Parenting

Currently, I am reading: 

Playful Parenting by Lawrence Cohen, PhD

(click on title for more info)

Publisher Comments: Winner of the 2001 NAPPA Gold Award for distinction as a parenting resource book, “Playful Parenting” offers an exciting new approach to raising children. Have you ever stepped back to watch what really goes on when your children play? As psychologist Lawrence Cohen points out, play is every child’s way of exploring the world, communicating deep feelings, getting close to those they care about, working through stress, and simply blowing off steam. In “Playful Parenting,” Dr. Cohen discusses how to get down on the floor and join children on their own terms, in ways that will help nurture close connections, solve behavior problems, and encourage confidence — whether it’s gazing deep into a baby’s eyes, playing chase with a toddler, fantasy play with a grade-schooler, or reducing a totally cool teenager to helpless laughter.

I hope you will read along with me…and please post your thoughts on this book here. I look forward to hearing from all of you other ordinary devoted mothers out there…

Best Wishes, Michelle