26 Big Things Small Hands Do

"26 Big Things Small Hands Do"
By Colleen Paratore, Illustrated by Mike Reed

Ages: 3-5 years, 5-7 years

A fun way to review and/or introduce the alphabet!

The Handiest Things in the World

"The Handiest Things in the world"
By Andrew Clements, Photographs by Raquel Jaramillo

Ages: 3-5 years, 5-7 years

I really enjoyed this book. On each page the author and photographer draw a contrast between solving a problem using our hands vs. using a tool or another object. I especially liked the photography in this one!

Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb

"Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb"
By Al Perkins, Illustrated by Eric Gurney

Age: 3-5 years, 5-7 years

This is fun! My kids still walk around the house shouting out rhymes about monkeys beating on drums. Great for early readers. Enjoy!

Mommy's Hands

"Mommy's Hands"
By Kathryn Lasky

Age: 3-5 years

A very cute book about all the little things that moms do for their kids.

Zinnia's Flower Garden

"Zinnia's Flower Garden"
By Monica Wellington

Age: 3-5 years, 5-7 years

This was our favorite garden book. Last year it inspired a flower growing activity which eventually ended in two newly sprouted zinnia plants being uprooted, torn apart, and re-planted. Note to mothers with children under 4 years old: Do not try planting flowers unless you have space in your house or yard where young toddlers cannot reach them.

I'm not sure what it is about this book, but the kids are drawn to it. It's a pleasant book to read several times a day, which helps parents as well. Enjoy!

Good Morning Garden

"Good Morning Garden"
By Barbara Brenner, Illustrated by Denise Ortakales

Age: 3-5 years

Admittedly not my favorite, but the style is a nice change from most other picture books. When we read this book, Hannah (3 years old) was very interested in picking out letters in print. She had fun finding all of the g's in this book.

My Garden

"My Garden"
By Kevin Henkes

Age: 3-5 years

I'll be honest, I don't remember anything beyond the cover of this book. But I do know this author and am always drawn to the style of illustrations. Something about the colors that just make me want to open up the cover. Check it out at your local library and let me know what's inside! :)

Our Community Garden

"Our Community Garden"
By Barbara Pollak

Age: 3-5 years, 5-7 years

Colorful and fun! We've enjoyed checking out this book about community and yes, vegetables, a number of times.

I Drive a Dump Truck

I Drive a Dump Truck
Written by Sarah Bridges
Illustrated by Derrick Alderman and Denise Shae

Age: 3-5 years; 5-7 years

This book will teach you all kinds of things you never knew about how dump trucks work. If you and your children like this book, you might also enjoy I Drive a Bulldozer and similar books by Sarah Bridges.

Let's Try It Out with Towers and Bridges

Let's Try It Out with Towers and Bridges
By Seymour Simon and Nicole Fauteux
Illustrated by Doug Cushman

Age: 3-5 years; 5-7 years; 7-10 years

I'm putting the younger age category on here because if you have a preschooler who is really into building things, this book is a great resource. We checked this out one time and did the simple activities with paper. The second time around we actually tried building a suspension bridge with kitchen chairs, heavy books, yarn, and cardboard. Next time I'll try that project at a different time of day - 4pm is about the worst time to attempt anything and this proved to be a disastrous bridge-making endeavor. Joshua (4 years old) loved it, though, and can't wait to try it again.

Out and About at the Fire Station

Out and About at the Fire Station
Written by Muriel L. DuBois
Illustrated by Anne McMullen

Age: 3-5 years; 5-7 years

Simple and engaging book about fire safety. Abby (15 months) liked pulling this one off the shelf to "read" on her own.

Fire Truck

Fire Truck
By Peter Sis

Age: 0-2 years; 3-5 years

This book, like Sis's Trucks! Trucks! Trucks!, is fun and imaginative. Perfect for any child who easily gets lost in his/her imaginary world.

Emergency!

Emergency!
By Gail Gibbons

Age: 3-5 years; 5-7 years

As always, Gail Gibbons does a great job in this book about emergency vehicles. This one was less wordy than some of her other books but just as informative. When Joshua first saw this book tucked away on the shelf in his preschool classroom he shouted out "That's the book we have at home!". Doesn't it feel good when you're one teeny, tiny step ahead of the preschool pro's. :)

Firetrucks

Firetrucks
By Peter Brady

Age: 3-5 years; 5-7 years

It's always fun to check out non-fiction books about trucks! This one was informative, simple, and had real-life photographs.

Note: We did not read this in Spanish, although it would have been a fun exercise to try. I could only find a photo of the Spanish edition.

Big Little Elephant

Big Little Elephant
By Valeri Gorbachev

Age: 3-5 years; 5-7 years; 7-10 years

This is the second book by Valeri Gorbachev that we have checked out, and it is the second book of hers that we have liked. There's something about her style that is inviting. In this book, Little Elephant learns about being a friend - a lesson that most children love (and need) to hear.

Tweak, Tweak

Tweak, Tweak
Written by Eve Bunting
Illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier

Age: 3-5 years

Cute illustrations for a cute story! I enjoyed reading about this curious little elephant and was definitely inspired by her (very) patient mother. Hannah (3 years old) seemed to like this the most of all her siblings.

I Drive a Bulldozer

I Drive a Bulldozer
By Sarah Bridges
Illustrated by Derrick Alderman and Denise Shae

Age: 3-5 years, 7-10 years

There are a few books in this series and every one of them is great! Like Huge Earthmovers you'll most likely find this in the Children's Non-Fiction section. Joshua (4 years old) was really excited to find this in the library bag last week.

Nascar ABC's

Nascar ABC's
By Paul DuBois Jacobs and Jennifer Swender
Illustrated by Aaron Zenz

Ages: 3-5 years, 7-10 years

What could be more exciting to a little boy than a rhyming ABC book about Nascar! :) Even I enjoy this book and I'm not real big on the car thing. The text has a nice rhythm to it and the illustrations are bright and cheerful. A good tool to reinforce the alphabet letter seqence.

My First Airplane Ride

My First Airplane Ride
By Patricia Hubbell
Illustrated by Nancy Speir

Age: 3-5 years

This is a definite favorite in our house. We check this out so often that I have thought of purchasing our own copy. My favorite line is: "Snacks are coming on a tray. What a long, exciting day!" :) We're heading to Australia in about a month - I think the last half of that line will pretty much sum up our travel experience!

In the future, look for more books written by Patricia Hubbell on this blog. She, along with various illustrators, has written several transportation-themed books that the kids love.

Trucks, Trucks, Trucks

Trucks, Trucks, Trucks
By Peter Sis

Age: 0-2 years, 3-5 years

Fun and imaginative!