On the sixth and seventh days of Christmas...

...my true love gave to me, books for babies!

So sorry I missed a day!  My good friend was in town so I didn't get a chance to post the sixth day.  I will post extra books to make up for it.  Today's books are for those of you with babies.  Some of these are board books, those clunky books that will take the slobber and drool of any teething child. Whether you have your own baby, are looking for a gift for a friend's baby, or have the pleasure of being a grandparent, these are some highly recommended books.

Goodnight Moon

Margaret Wise Brown hit the jackpot with this one.  The words create a quiet way to end your day.  As the little bunny says goodnight to the world, you and your little one can read along.  This is a book that you will find yourself memorizing immediately and one your child will want you to read over and over.



The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Another "cult" classic.  That is, of course, if you live in the world of babies or children's literature.  Eric Carle created this book that is fun on so many levels.  Your child learns how to count as the caterpillar gets hungrier and hungrier.  Your little one will learn new vocabulary as each picture introduces something else the caterpillar eats.  And you will both enjoy the tale of a caterpillar as it changes to a butterfly.  This book is fun, beautiful, and educational!


My Nana and Me

Irene Smalls writes a few different books each focused on a different family member.  There is "My Pop Pop and Me," Kevin and His Dad," and "Jonathan and His Mommy."  My Nana and Me tells of one day a little girl gets to spend with her grandmother.  On this special day they are busy getting things done.  From playing games to bed-time rituals, Nana and Me highlights the special relationship between grandmother and grandchild.  She even leaves a spot on the inside cover for you to put a picture of you and your grandmother.  I did just that and even though the book is a bit old for them, my students love to read this book.


On the Day You Were Born

Debra Frasier's story starts, "On the eve of your birth word of your coming passed from animal to animal.  The reindeer told the Arctic terns, who told the humpback whales, who told the pacific salmon..."  And so it goes, as the author describes how "your" birth was the most important day.  I loved this book the first time I read it because it is not your typical "baby being born" book.  It's message is to let the new babies of the world know that they are special, and a part of something big.


Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom

Babies want to interact with the stories read to them.  They are little sponges, learning every minute they are alive.  The best baby books, in my opinion, change things up just a little bit.  Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom by Bill Martin does just that.  He takes the ABCs and gives their song a whole new flavor.  You see, it is all about how the letter A told B, who told C, that he would meet them at the top of the coconut tree.  After that, well, the whole alphabet joins in!  There is a catchy tune that you will find yourself singing along with...and THAT is something that your babies will love!


Pat the Bunny

In my opinion, Debra Kunhardt is a genius.  She knew babies needed something different.  She knew they learn by looking, by hearing, by tasting, by smelling, and by touching.  So she made a book that kids could do some of these things.  The characters pat the bunny, YOU pat the bunny, the kids smell the flowers, YOU smell the flowers.  Predictable text, fun interactive pages, what else do you need?