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.

Elmer's Colors

Elmer's Colors
By David McKee

Age: 0-2 years

This book inspired our mosaic "E". You can enjoy an entire series of books about Elmer, a very colorful elephant.

Splash!

Splash!
By Flora McDonnell

Age: 0-2 years; 3-5 years

This was one of the first books I checked out from the children's library when we lived the simple life of a family of three. Joshua (now 4 years old) was very small at that time and we both enjoyed reading this book. I like its simplicity best. We've enjoyed checking it out many times since Hannah (3 years old) and Abby (15 months old) have joined the family. I'm sure we'll continue to enjoy it.

Trucks, Trucks, Trucks

Trucks, Trucks, Trucks
By Peter Sis

Age: 0-2 years, 3-5 years

Fun and imaginative!

The Carrot Seed

The Carrot Seed
By Ruth Krauss

Age: 0-2 years, 3-5 years

Hannah (turning 3 tomorrow!) picked out this book before I even got to the shelf. I didn't think much of it, but after reading it throughout the week I came to appreciate it. The main character is a little boy who demonstrates great faith. When everyone around him says that his carrot seed won't come up, this boy goes on watering and weeding. His faith and perseverance pay off big in the end!

I liked that Hannah - the one whom the Lord has indicated has a great gift of faith - was drawn to this simple yet inspirational book.

Boat Book

Boat Book
By Gail Gibbons

Age: 0-2 years, 3-5 years

What's a week without a book by Gail Gibbons? We've checked this out a number of times, and while it's not always a top pick for Read Aloud Time, it is still well-loved. This, unlike Marge's Diner, which is lengthy, this book is far from wordy. Joshua (4 years old) likes to take his time studying the detailed pictures.

Busy Boats

Busy Boats
By Tony Mitton and Ant Parker

Age: 3-5 years

A friend of mine once made the following comment after reading one of Mitton and Parker's books, "Wow, that's pretty impressive to make rhymes about tractors!" She isn't as well-versed in the land of transportation picture books as I am since she doesn't have a son, but she is definitely right - Mitton and Parker have a way with rhymes and with vehicles.

This particular book really sparked Joshua's interest. He asked a ton of questions about the different parts of a boat and how each part was used. He has never shown an interest in boats before this week, and this book was most definitely a catalyst.

Boats

Boats
By Byron Barton

Age: 0-2 years, 3-5 years

We have other Byron Barton books and have enjoyed each one. Since it's a board book, I checked this one out primarily for Abigail (1 year old). She had very few opportunities to read it, though, because Joshua (4 years old) and Hannah (turning 3 tomorrow!) both wanted to read it too. Cute and colorful.

Busy Boats

Busy Boats
By Susan Steggall

Age: 0-2 years, 3-5 years

This was a fun, colorful, and (like the title says) busy book about boats. The book was a tiny bit over-sized which meant that it didn't quite fit in our magazine file boxes. However, there's something nice about really huge picture books - and this book was definitely a nice read.

Little House, Little Town

"Little House, Little Town"
By Scott Beck

Age:0-2 years, 3-5 years

The kids don't often choose new books from the library shelves. They know exactly where to find all of the old favorites. I was glad when Hannah (almost 3 years old) brought this to me. I really like the illustrations. Do I say that a lot??? Perhaps I do, but most of my time is spent reading picture books. :)

Baby! Baby!

"Baby! Baby!"
By Vicky Ceelen

Age: 0-2 years

This was a fun book for Abigail (1 year old). My favorite animal-baby pairing was with the chimpanzee. So cute!

Count with Maisy

"Count with Maisy"
By Lucy Cousins

Age: 0-2 years

Abby really liked this book. I think her attention was drawn to it because of the bright, contrasting colors and the cute mouse! Preschoolers might like this as well, but I did think it was a bit "baby" for kids older than 3 years old.

Trucks

"Trucks"
By Byron Barton

Age: 0-2 years, 3-5 years

This is probably the twelfth time we have checked out this particular Byron Barton book. We love the simple, brightly colored illustrations and the just as simple text. Always a hit for little boys who love vehicles!

A Quick Note About Age

Our children are still young: Joshua (4), Hannah (nearly 3), and Abigail (11 months). Hence all of the board books and picture books posted!

You will find that nearly all of the current posts will range in age from 0-5 years. My apologies to anyone with older children. If I find any resources for older kids, I'll try to put some links here.

Also, my estimate of appropriate age is far from infallible. I'll do my best to be as accurate as I can, but please use your own discretion when searching by age.

Alligator Alphabet

"Alligator Alphabet"
By Stella Blackstone and Stephanie Bauer

Age: 0-2 years, 3-5 years

I really liked the colorful illustrations in this book. I didn't like that some of the animal names don't quite fit in with the phonics work we're doing at home. But it has helped Hannah (nearly 3) to solidify her letter identification (even though that pesky "G" introduced a mound of confusion).

Hide & Seek

"Hide & Seek"
By Janet S. Wong
Illustrations by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Age: 3-5 years

Cute and colorful. This inspired some games of hide and seek around our house!

Little White Rabbit

"Little White Rabbit"
By Kevin Henkes

Age: 0-2 years, 3-5 years

This wasn't my favorite, but the kids liked the illustrations. I don't blame them, the colors are beautiful and I liked how the pages were nice and thick. There's just something about thick pages.

My Clothes/Mi ropa

"My Clothes/Mi Ropa" from the English-Spanish Foundation Series
By Gladys Rosa-Mendoza
Illustrations by Mary Collier

Age: 0-2 years, 3-5 years

We're always checking out books that introduce Spanish vocabulary and conversation. This is one of the better ones. I liked the simple, repetitive sentences to help learn more than isolated words. Joshua (4), Hannah (nearly 3), and Abby (11 months) all liked this book.

What's Up, Duck?

"What's Up, Duck? A Book of Opposites"
By Tad Hills

Age: 0-2 years

Cute. Colorful. Abby (11 months) loved it!