Readers' Advisory: Books for Toddlers

Did you know that monsters love to scribble, scribble, mix, dance, and wiggle! Why Because monsters love to make new colors! Celebrate along with the hilarious monsters in this wild and energetic picture book from author-illustrator Mike Austin. Mixing and discovering color has never been so much fun!

When something sad happens, Taylor doesn't know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn't feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that's not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to act, and one by one they fail to offer comfort. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen . . . which is just what Taylor needs. With its spare, poignant text and irresistibly sweet illustration, The Rabbit Listened is about how to comfort and heal the people in your life, by taking the time to carefully, lovingly, gently listen. 

Ruby has red blocks and Benji has blue blocks. They both build with their blocks, until Benji takes one of Ruby's red blocks and, in the tussle that follows, all the blocks CRASH to the floor. But now Benji has blue and red blocks, and Ruby has red and blue blocks, and together they build and build . . . until Guy comes with his green blocks!

Here come the Big Rigs rolling down the street. Thumpa-thumpa, bumpa-bumpa, Beep! Beep! Beep! There's Loader and Dump Truck, Backhoe and Crane. They're ready to transform a vacant lot into a neighborhood park. And who wants to help most of all? Little Excavator! But are there any jobs for someone so small? Anna Dewdney's signature rhyming text and inviting illustrations make this a perfect read aloud for for fans of things that go!

Hello, Hello! is an interactive book for kids. Beginning with two cats, one black and one white, a chain of animals appears before the reader, linked together by at least one common trait. From simple colors and shapes to more complex and abstract associations, each unexpected encounter celebrates the magnificent diversity of our world-and ultimately paints a story of connection. Brendan Wenzel's joyous, rhythmic text and exuberant art encourage readers to delight in nature's infinite differences and to look for-and marvel at-its gorgeous similarities in this children's nature book. It all starts with a simple "Hello."

A box of blocks. A budding builder. Should she build a doghouse? A bridge? A skyscraper? Yes, all of these and more! Bigger, bigger! BIGGEST! But then . . . Boom! Boom! What's that? Uh-oh . . . After one little girl's architectural masterpieces grow exponentially, the arrival of an assistant presents a bit of a challenge.

Eight classic stories take on new energy as Lucy Cousins ramps up her artwork. In this bold, funny, and unflinching collection, the beloved author-illustrator retains all the emotion and humor of the original fairy tales: the heroes are courageous, the villains are horrible, and the children are tasty. With her sly, simple language and vibrant illustrations, even the scariest fiends become the stuff of shared hilarity and shivery thrills.

Read, row, and roar along - a newly imagined favorite will have everyone singing. In this vibrantly-painted rain forest, squeak, bark, and chatter along with a kitten and puppy rowing their way down the stream. Uncover one delightful animal surprise after another. Sheet music with guitar chords, along with Cabrera's jaunty new verses, is included. Jane Cabrera's Story Time celebrates children's best-loved read along nursery rhymes and songs. These interactive favorites are given a new twist by award-winning artist Jane Cabrera and feature her bold, bright, kid-friendly illustrations. Don't miss the other delightful nursery-rhyme titles, including Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush, If You're Happy and You Know It,  and One, Two, Buckle My Shoe.

How many kisses does a tired baby need before they say goodnight? Find out in this adorable kiss-and-count concept book from Karen Katz! Count and kiss along with this lift-the-flap bedtime book, from children's book legend, Karen Katz!

There are so many different types of families, and THE FAMILY BOOK celebrates them all in a funny, silly, and reassuring way. Todd Parr includes adopted families, step-families, one-parent families, and families with two parents of the same sex, as well as the traditional nuclear family. His quirky humor and bright, childlike illustrations will make children feel good about their families. Parents and teachers can use this book to encourage children to talk about their families and the different kinds of families that exist.

Elephant wakes up grumpy--until ding, dong! What's in the surprise box at the front door? A hat! HOORAY FOR HAT! Elephant marches off to show Zebra, but Zebra is having a grumpy day, too--until Elephant shares his new hat and cheers up his friend. Off they march to show Turtle! The parade continues as every animal brightens the day of a grumpy friend. An irresistible celebration of friendship, sharing, and fabulous hats.

Swim along with Little Fish and meet his many fishy friends in this splashy, splashy riot of color and rhyme under the sea. This eye-popping read-aloud is sure to have buoyant little ones shouting, "Hooray for fish!"

Lemurs follow the leader into--and out of--trouble in this simple, engaging picture book that children will love playing along with! Wide-eyed lemurs follow, follow, follow their king across a colorful landscape, as they find things to chew, things to munch, and things to have for their lunch; things to hunt, things to chase, things to scare, and things to race. After narrowly escaping a crocodile (and becoming someone else's lunch) the lemurs settle down for a well-deserved nap. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Young children will love chasing, hunting, and racing just like a lemur in this playful book that will inspire plenty of games before naptime.

When Max dresses in his wolf suit and causes havoc in the house, his mother sends him to bed. From there, Max sets sail to an island inhabited by the Wild Things, who name him king and share a wild rumpus with him. But then from far away across the world, Max smells good things to eat... Let the wild rumpus continue as this classic comes to life like never before with new reproductions of Maurice Sendak's artwork. Astonishing state-of-the-art technology faithfully captures the color and detail of the original illustrations. Sendak himself enthusiastically endorsed this impressive new interpretation of his art.  Mary Pols of Time magazine wrote that "what makes Sendak's book so compelling is its grounding effect: Max has a tantrum and in a flight of fancy visits his wild side, but he is pulled back by a belief in parental love to a supper 'still hot." Generations have shared this beautiful picture book, and children of all ages will want to return to it again and again. New York Public Library's #4 book on the list of "Top Check Outs of All Time" One of the National Education Association's "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children" The top picture book in School Library Journal's survey of its readers  Maurice Sendak was also the creator of such classics as In the Night Kitchen, Outside Over There, Higglety Pigglety Pop!, and Nutshell Library.

Bonjour! Escargot is a beautiful French snail who wants only two things: 1. To be your favorite animal. 2. To get to the delicious salad at the end of the book. But when he gets to the salad, he discovers that there's a carrot in it. And Escargot hates carrots. But when he finally tries one--with a little help from you!--he discovers that it's not so bad after all.

Here they come, a flock of rollicking sheep in their sturdy red jeep. Will their outing be a success Jeep goes splash! Jeep goes thud! Jeep goes deep in gooey mud! Here is a lively, funny tale, perfect for reading aloud. The youngest lap sitters will quickly learn to chant along with the reader as the brisk story unfolds, and they'll delight in the colorful portrayal of the hapless sheep.

After meeting a bevy of baby animals-- including a clever monkey, a sleepy leopard, and a dusty lion cub--the baby in this story discovers the most precious creature of all . . . itself, of course!