本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Starter Library for Newborns to 6-Month-Olds
By Rose Kennedy
With very young babies, what you read isn't nearly as important as that you're reading. Reading out loud to a newborn gives her time to listen to her favorite sound — your voice. And if you hold her warm and snug in your lap while the two of you share a book, she may just associate her happy feelings with reading for the rest of her life. (To test your read-aloud knowledge, click here.)
Try these classic titles on your baby:
Twinkle, Twinkle: An Animal Lover's Mother Goose, by Bobbi Fabian
Mother Goose is perfect for newborns because it has the da-ta-da-ta-da-ta-da rhythms that mimic a mother's heartbeat. This collection features clever, charming photo collages of animals in the starring roles; for example, a kangaroo as "Jack Be Nimble." It's a great new twist on an old classic.
The Baby's Lap Book, by Kay Chorao
This classic collection of nursery rhymes — from Jack and Jill to the Three Little Kittens — features realistic pastel drawings. The soothing cadence of the rhymes can calm babies or you can focus on the nonsense lyrics to inspire giggles or coos if you make a game out of it. Kiss your baby during Georgie Porgie, for example, or make crying noises when you read Little Bo Peep. After a few readings, you'll know the words to some of those nursery rhymes you used to bluff your way through, so you can play the games anywhere.
Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book
In this book the good "doctor" provides a collection of sassy, witty poem-stories that rollick and rhyme in a way sure to satisfy your newborn's preference for singsong verse. Plus, it's all about the number-one concern of exhausted new parents: the wonders of going to sleep. This book is perfect for fathers or mothers who consider themselves reluctant readers. It's funny and nonsensical — you're supposed to feel silly reading about the Biffer-Baum Birds and the Herk-Heimer sisters. This one will stay on the bookshelf even after your child's gone off to kindergarten.
The Three Bears Rhyme Book, by Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen spins the tale of the Three Bears in lilting verse. Start reading this to a newborn and he'll already know one classic by the time you introduce stories with plots. The warm illustrations are pure pleasure for the adult reader as well, offering colored-pencil realism with a watercolor wash.
Black on White, by Tana Hoban
Featuring simple black illustrations on a white background, this title offers high-contrast images for an infant's developing eyes. As your baby gets older, he'll start identifying the images with the words you read — leaf, key, ring, bib, and so on.
How a Baby Grows, by Nora Buck
Rhyming couplets address a topic parent and infant are both obsessed with: babies. Phrases such as "These are the things that babies do:/Cry, wet, sleep, coo" are good practice if you're a read-aloud novice, and the illustrations are bright and high-contrast. Older siblings will also enjoy this book — just point out the many things they can do that a baby can't or proudly remind them how they did all those things when they were little.
Goodnight Moon board book, by Margaret Wise Brown
Sure, everyone knows that Goodnight Moon is the book for babies, but did you ever stop to wonder why? The images are clear and colorful, the rhymes (like "hush" and "mush") are simple and soothing, and, perhaps most important of all, the story of a little rabbit in his striped pajamas saying goodnight to each object in his warm, secure world is a calming ritual — for both you and your baby. You'll have your pick of editions for this classic, but our favorite for a newborn is the indestructible board book.
More More More Said the Baby, by Vera B. Williams
This love song to babies of all sizes, shapes, and ethnicities will grab you with its enthusiasm. Bright folk art puts a reader right in the middle of the action as babies are swept up and swung around, and belly buttons are admired and toes kissed. And all the while, "more, more, more," says the baby. This book will make you happy to be a parent.
Starter Library for 6- to 12-Month-Olds
By Rose Kennedy
At this age, your baby's vision has developed to the point where she can recognize quite a few images. You'll have fun introducing her to simple illustrations and bold photographs — if you can get her to sit still, that is. Older babies are always on the move, and they love to grab books and turn the pages. That's why the experts suggest that you read to babies this age in three-minute increments several times throughout the day. That way you won't have to fight for your 8-month-old's attention. (To test your read-aloud knowledge, click here.)
These titles are realistic choices for babies this age:
One Hot Summer Day, by Nina Crews
This book is a photo collage, with pictures of an inner-city toddler enjoying a steamy summer day eating popsicles, dancing in the rain, and swinging on her swing. The text is almost poetic — "My mother tells me/to play inside games./She has the fan on high" — with soothing rhythms that go over well with older babies. This is a good "point and say" book; label the fan, the girl's overalls, her chalk, her shadow, and so on for your child. Plus, the heroine is energetic and self-confident, which may help your child learn something just as valuable as words and sounds.
The Book of Baths, by Karen Gray Ruelle
Lively little paper cutouts show different animals — including humans — in the bath: a pig, a mouse, a baby, etc. A couple of short words describe the action on each page: "Fish flips" or "Bug dips," for example. The simple images are great training for your baby's developing eyes, and the phrases will help her identify objects with sounds.
Bowbeard Walks the Plank, a Playmobil/Reader's Digest Young Families Book
This book is practically a toy — it's a plastic pirate from the waist down and a pirate-shaped board book from the waist up. This means your curious baby can put it in his mouth, throw it down, and drool on it before, during, and after readings. The cover image of a plain-faced, brown-bearded pirate dressed in red and blue is particularly good for your baby's developing sight. Inside the book are photos of the same pirate and a friend, and a few lines of rhyming text about their adventures.
Textures, by Joanne Barkhan
Babies are sensory creatures, and this book presents your 6-month-old with some pleasant tactile experiences. The sturdy pages feature illustrations of animals with a hole cut out of the middle. As you read, you slip a special panel (included) into each page to make the animal's tummy a different texture, and a word such as "bumpy," "spongy," or "fuzzy" appears at the bottom. If you keep this book in your regular repertoire, your baby will probably be able to link each word to the appropriate texture by the time she's about 15 months old.
Playskool Baby Faces
Even very young babies simply adore photographs of their peers, and this book is chock-full of babies — angry, sleepy, happy, and messy ones. Try talking your way through this story, describing the babies to your child with simple words, giving them names, and imitating their expressions. The book also has tabs down the side so your baby can practice opening pages (which helps hone her fine motor skills).
Building a House, by Byron Barton
Your child's vision is getting better every day, and he'll enjoy focusing on this book's simple line drawings. Filled in with bright colors, the illustrations depict workers building a house. As you read about what the people are doing in each scene, point to the different tools and construction materials. Curious children will enjoy Building a House through their toddler years.
ABC Dogs, by Kathy Darling
This collection of dog pictures is crisp, clear, and very cute. When your baby's this age, just leaf through the pages and try saying the breeds' names or asking your baby where the puppies are. She can't answer now, of course, but this will help set up a pleasant learning pattern for later. This book is a keeper: For 2-year-olds, it's a general introduction to the alphabet, at 3 a child can memorize the different breeds, and at 7 or 8 it might be book report material.
Big and Little, by Margaret Miller
Another book featuring high-quality photographs of babies, kids, dogs, and other everyday things. This title also introduces the concept of "big" and "little," making it a natural choice for households with older siblings. You'll see reassuring images of a brother taking care of the baby and read all about the benefits of being the older child — and the younger.
Starter Library for 1- to 2-Year-Olds
By Rose Kennedy
Somewhere between 12 and 18 months, your child will realize that those sounds he's been hearing you read — words — actually mean something. The more you talk and read aloud to a child at this time (and from the start, for that matter), the better her vocabulary will be. Look for books with a wide variety of visuals, words that repeat often, and clearly labeled objects, both common and unfamiliar. When you read aloud, pause frequently to ask your child questions about the objects you see, answer her questions, and talk through the book's action and images. You don't need a big book budget for this age group. Hearing three or four titles over and over is better for a child than trying to introduce lots of new books. (Why? Our read-aloud quiz has the answer.)
Try these titles:
Color Zoo, by Lois Ehlert
"Shapes and colors in your zoo/Lots of things that you can do." Those lines start this classic, and they're quickly followed by pictures of shapes that seem to be cut right out of the center of the book. As the pages turn, these shapes become other shapes and eventually turn into animal faces. This is one of the few color-and-shape books even adults don't mind reading over and over — you'll see something new every time you open it.
My Aunt Came Back, by Pat Cummings
You'll find lots of catchy couplets in this action-packed board book. Here's a sample: "My Aunt came back from Bucharest/She brought me back a quilted vest." Each page starts with "My Aunt came back" and ends with a new object to point out. This book is also a great way to introduce your child to the concept of ethnic diversity.
Baker, Baker, Cookie Maker, by Linda Hayward
In this charmer, Sesame Street's familiar blue Cookie Monster is a baker, baker, cookie maker trying to escape the cookie takers. The rhymes will help your baby anticipate the next word. For example, "Cookie monster/cookie cutter/makes a batch/with peanut --".... butter. Your child will enjoy seeing a TV friend in a book, too.
Big Dog and Little Dog Wearing Sweaters, by Dav Pilkey
These two pooches will steal your heart. Drawn with just a few bold lines each, Big Dog and Little Dog are easy to identify and full of character. They're utterly charming, even when they get into trouble — which happens in every title of the four-book series. You'll find just one sentence per page, so you can move through quickly or pause to admire the dogs' sweaters or chat about dogs you know that act like the book's characters. You can use the plot to help develop your child's sense of empathy, too. Try this, for example: "Big Dog is sad. How come? Would you be sad if you didn't have your own sweater?"
Max's New Suit, by Rosemary Wells
Max — the toddler rabbit with a bossy sister — always finds himself in scenarios we can all relate to. He doesn't want his egg, is scared of his birthday present, wants to dress himself, and so on. It's fun to talk about Max with your 1-year-old, and as your child gets closer to 2, he'll start to appreciate the stories' plots more, too.
Spot Goes to the Farm, by Eric Hill
Suspend your sense of reality for a few minutes as you read about Spot, a cartoon dog who drives a tractor and shows his farmer dog dad that he can find the new baby chicks. This book is lift-the-flap style, which can help your child develop memory and motor skills. Each featured animal also makes its own noise, which is a good way to link the image and the word in your child's mind. If you like this one, pick up another — all the Spot books in Eric Hill's series are a lot of fun.
Who's Sick Today?, by Lynne Cherry
Kids who go to daycare will particularly love this book, which is all about which animals are sick today, and with what. The rhymes — "a whale on a scale, a chimp with a limp" — aid memory, and the drawings of the animals are realistic, so a child can readily identify, say, a gnu the next time the topic comes up. The drawings are so much fun that your child will want to see them again and again — and you won't mind either.
Hide-and-Seek Elmer, by David McKee
Elmer is a patchwork-quilt elephant. He speaks in rhymes, and is great for helping your child identify colors — like Joseph's coat, he's many-colored. In this lift-the-flap book, he's playing hide-and-seek, a game your child can easily identify with. Plus, looking behind flaps helps a toddler work on his motor skills while you cultivate his memory by asking questions like "Now where is that crocodile?" or "Which animal is behind this log?"
Shoes Shoes Shoes, by Ann Morris
Take something your child knows and loves and get some mileage out of it. This book is a showcase of shoes — "work shoes, play shoes, any-time-of-day shoes." Each page features one or two simple, clear photos of people from around the world in their respective footgear (though luckily go-go boots are nowhere in sight). This is a great conversation starter, and each line rhymes with "shoes," too.
Go, Dog, Go, by P.D. Eastman
At around 18 months, a child can usually handle more complicated drawings, and this is the time to bring on Go, Dog, Go. Every page features working-class, Average Joe-looking cartoon dogs, all with doggy labels — big dogs, little dogs, and so on. As the plot thickens, it becomes clear that these dogs are going somewhere, but where? While you're figuring that out, your child is absorbing concepts such as in and out, above and below, colors, sizes, and so on at the same time. The high points of the book are the six interludes in which one dog asks another, "Do you like my hat?" and gets the answer "I do not." As soon as your child is talking, she'll imitate the dogs' dialogue.
My Little Sister Ate One Hare, by Bill Grossman
Like "The House That Jack Built," this is a cumulative tale — it starts small and then builds up by repeating all that has gone before. The story is a little raucous, so it can hold the attention of a parent who's a reluctant reader, or an older brother or sister. For example: "My little sister ate 1 hare./We thought she'd throw up then and there./But she didn't." That's the start, and those lines are repeated and built upon, as the narrator proceeds through "4 shrews and their smelly socks and shoes," "8 worms and all their germs," to name a few. This book helps build listening comprehension skills and introduces counting skills.
Starter Library for 2- to 3-Year-Olds
By Rose Kennedy
The plot finally thickens for children between ages 2 and 3 now that they're old enough to follow story lines. Your toddler may even start demanding books that are a little more complicated than those that simply describe things but don't do much else. Resist the temptation to start reading lengthy favorites of your own — like The Velveteen Rabbit — and stick with these toddler-friendly stories instead. Your goal now is to share the joy of reading with your child, not to school him in classic children's books or teach him to read.
Terrible Teresa and Other Very Short Stories, by Mittie Cuetara
This is a book of witty four-picture stories that read like limericks, a natural for kids who don't like to sit still for very long, and for parents who need more practice before they tackle longer stories. One example: "We can't get very far. We cannot start the car. The keys are gone — oh please, won't you tell us where they are."
I Don't Care, Said the Bear, by Colin West
A moose is on the loose, but this bear doesn't care. The repetition of "I don't care" in this tale helps build your toddler's memory skills. Let yourself go with this one, hamming up each voice as new animals arrive on the scene, and pausing for a suspenseful second before each page turn. The plot plays to the 2-year-old mindset: This bear doesn't realize he's about to be in big trouble, but we know.
Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak
In this classic tale, young Max gets too rowdy and is sent to his room, where his imagination (and perhaps his time-out-induced anger) whisks him off to where the wild things are. The language is stirring and fun to read, from Max's command to "Let the wild rumpus start!" to the monsters' cry, "Please don't go. We'll eat you up, we love you so. But Max said 'No.'" The illustrations are intricate so toddlers and their parents have lots of detail to pore over.
Contrary Mary, by Anita Jeram
You'll love the antics of this contrary little mouse. Among other things, she insists on wearing shoes on the wrong feet and requesting roast beef for breakfast. You can work on basic concepts with your toddler by pausing to ask questions like: "Mary is walking on her hands. How do we walk?" The book becomes even more fun when Mary's mom turns the contrary tables on her.
Little Lumpty, by Miko Imai
Lumpty is a young egg who knows he shouldn't climb the wall from which Humpty Dumpty fell, but what little one can resist breaking the rules now and then. His brief, suspenseful tale will grab your toddler's attention, and it's a great way to start encouraging empathy. Ask your toddler, "How does Lumpty feel when it gets dark and he's still on the wall?"
A Friend for Minerva Louise, by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Minerva Louise is a sweet, gentle chicken who tends to get the wrong idea about a lot of things. She thinks the stroller is a wheelbarrow, the crib is a rabbit hutch, the baby gate a fence. If you have a 2-year-old, you may have to correct Minerva's cases of mistaken identity, but if you have a 3-year-old, she'll delight in doing it herself.
The Seven Silly Eaters, by Mary Ann Hoberman
This rhyming tale of seven children with strange eating habits is a fine choice as you try to build your child's vocabulary and increase her listening comprehension. As the family adds new members, you can improve counting skills and even touch on basic math such as addition.
Trade-In Mother, by Marisabina Russo
Here's the plot: Max wants to trade his mother for a model who hates vegetables as much as he does, who lets him eat cookies for breakfast, and who never makes him wash his hair. But Mama says, "I would never trade you in." To which Max responds: "Is there really a place to trade in little boys?" Never has a book opened so many good-humored conversations between mother and child — or cheered so many cranky kids and their parents.
The Accidental Zucchini, by Max Grover
Once your toddler is used to simple visuals and stories, throw this in the mix. Each letter of the alphabet is captured in a nonsense phrase and bright painting. The letter "C," for example, is represented by a "cupcake canyon." It will teach your child to see objects in these different contexts — a quilt on a queen's cape, for example, or macaroni on a merry-go-round. Pictures include full landscapes and many wonderfully rendered objects, and are a great way to build your child's "visual vocabulary" without confusing him.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
By Rose Kennedy
With very young babies, what you read isn't nearly as important as that you're reading. Reading out loud to a newborn gives her time to listen to her favorite sound — your voice. And if you hold her warm and snug in your lap while the two of you share a book, she may just associate her happy feelings with reading for the rest of her life. (To test your read-aloud knowledge, click here.)
Try these classic titles on your baby:
Twinkle, Twinkle: An Animal Lover's Mother Goose, by Bobbi Fabian
Mother Goose is perfect for newborns because it has the da-ta-da-ta-da-ta-da rhythms that mimic a mother's heartbeat. This collection features clever, charming photo collages of animals in the starring roles; for example, a kangaroo as "Jack Be Nimble." It's a great new twist on an old classic.
The Baby's Lap Book, by Kay Chorao
This classic collection of nursery rhymes — from Jack and Jill to the Three Little Kittens — features realistic pastel drawings. The soothing cadence of the rhymes can calm babies or you can focus on the nonsense lyrics to inspire giggles or coos if you make a game out of it. Kiss your baby during Georgie Porgie, for example, or make crying noises when you read Little Bo Peep. After a few readings, you'll know the words to some of those nursery rhymes you used to bluff your way through, so you can play the games anywhere.
Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book
In this book the good "doctor" provides a collection of sassy, witty poem-stories that rollick and rhyme in a way sure to satisfy your newborn's preference for singsong verse. Plus, it's all about the number-one concern of exhausted new parents: the wonders of going to sleep. This book is perfect for fathers or mothers who consider themselves reluctant readers. It's funny and nonsensical — you're supposed to feel silly reading about the Biffer-Baum Birds and the Herk-Heimer sisters. This one will stay on the bookshelf even after your child's gone off to kindergarten.
The Three Bears Rhyme Book, by Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen spins the tale of the Three Bears in lilting verse. Start reading this to a newborn and he'll already know one classic by the time you introduce stories with plots. The warm illustrations are pure pleasure for the adult reader as well, offering colored-pencil realism with a watercolor wash.
Black on White, by Tana Hoban
Featuring simple black illustrations on a white background, this title offers high-contrast images for an infant's developing eyes. As your baby gets older, he'll start identifying the images with the words you read — leaf, key, ring, bib, and so on.
How a Baby Grows, by Nora Buck
Rhyming couplets address a topic parent and infant are both obsessed with: babies. Phrases such as "These are the things that babies do:/Cry, wet, sleep, coo" are good practice if you're a read-aloud novice, and the illustrations are bright and high-contrast. Older siblings will also enjoy this book — just point out the many things they can do that a baby can't or proudly remind them how they did all those things when they were little.
Goodnight Moon board book, by Margaret Wise Brown
Sure, everyone knows that Goodnight Moon is the book for babies, but did you ever stop to wonder why? The images are clear and colorful, the rhymes (like "hush" and "mush") are simple and soothing, and, perhaps most important of all, the story of a little rabbit in his striped pajamas saying goodnight to each object in his warm, secure world is a calming ritual — for both you and your baby. You'll have your pick of editions for this classic, but our favorite for a newborn is the indestructible board book.
More More More Said the Baby, by Vera B. Williams
This love song to babies of all sizes, shapes, and ethnicities will grab you with its enthusiasm. Bright folk art puts a reader right in the middle of the action as babies are swept up and swung around, and belly buttons are admired and toes kissed. And all the while, "more, more, more," says the baby. This book will make you happy to be a parent.
Starter Library for 6- to 12-Month-Olds
By Rose Kennedy
At this age, your baby's vision has developed to the point where she can recognize quite a few images. You'll have fun introducing her to simple illustrations and bold photographs — if you can get her to sit still, that is. Older babies are always on the move, and they love to grab books and turn the pages. That's why the experts suggest that you read to babies this age in three-minute increments several times throughout the day. That way you won't have to fight for your 8-month-old's attention. (To test your read-aloud knowledge, click here.)
These titles are realistic choices for babies this age:
One Hot Summer Day, by Nina Crews
This book is a photo collage, with pictures of an inner-city toddler enjoying a steamy summer day eating popsicles, dancing in the rain, and swinging on her swing. The text is almost poetic — "My mother tells me/to play inside games./She has the fan on high" — with soothing rhythms that go over well with older babies. This is a good "point and say" book; label the fan, the girl's overalls, her chalk, her shadow, and so on for your child. Plus, the heroine is energetic and self-confident, which may help your child learn something just as valuable as words and sounds.
The Book of Baths, by Karen Gray Ruelle
Lively little paper cutouts show different animals — including humans — in the bath: a pig, a mouse, a baby, etc. A couple of short words describe the action on each page: "Fish flips" or "Bug dips," for example. The simple images are great training for your baby's developing eyes, and the phrases will help her identify objects with sounds.
Bowbeard Walks the Plank, a Playmobil/Reader's Digest Young Families Book
This book is practically a toy — it's a plastic pirate from the waist down and a pirate-shaped board book from the waist up. This means your curious baby can put it in his mouth, throw it down, and drool on it before, during, and after readings. The cover image of a plain-faced, brown-bearded pirate dressed in red and blue is particularly good for your baby's developing sight. Inside the book are photos of the same pirate and a friend, and a few lines of rhyming text about their adventures.
Textures, by Joanne Barkhan
Babies are sensory creatures, and this book presents your 6-month-old with some pleasant tactile experiences. The sturdy pages feature illustrations of animals with a hole cut out of the middle. As you read, you slip a special panel (included) into each page to make the animal's tummy a different texture, and a word such as "bumpy," "spongy," or "fuzzy" appears at the bottom. If you keep this book in your regular repertoire, your baby will probably be able to link each word to the appropriate texture by the time she's about 15 months old.
Playskool Baby Faces
Even very young babies simply adore photographs of their peers, and this book is chock-full of babies — angry, sleepy, happy, and messy ones. Try talking your way through this story, describing the babies to your child with simple words, giving them names, and imitating their expressions. The book also has tabs down the side so your baby can practice opening pages (which helps hone her fine motor skills).
Building a House, by Byron Barton
Your child's vision is getting better every day, and he'll enjoy focusing on this book's simple line drawings. Filled in with bright colors, the illustrations depict workers building a house. As you read about what the people are doing in each scene, point to the different tools and construction materials. Curious children will enjoy Building a House through their toddler years.
ABC Dogs, by Kathy Darling
This collection of dog pictures is crisp, clear, and very cute. When your baby's this age, just leaf through the pages and try saying the breeds' names or asking your baby where the puppies are. She can't answer now, of course, but this will help set up a pleasant learning pattern for later. This book is a keeper: For 2-year-olds, it's a general introduction to the alphabet, at 3 a child can memorize the different breeds, and at 7 or 8 it might be book report material.
Big and Little, by Margaret Miller
Another book featuring high-quality photographs of babies, kids, dogs, and other everyday things. This title also introduces the concept of "big" and "little," making it a natural choice for households with older siblings. You'll see reassuring images of a brother taking care of the baby and read all about the benefits of being the older child — and the younger.
Starter Library for 1- to 2-Year-Olds
By Rose Kennedy
Somewhere between 12 and 18 months, your child will realize that those sounds he's been hearing you read — words — actually mean something. The more you talk and read aloud to a child at this time (and from the start, for that matter), the better her vocabulary will be. Look for books with a wide variety of visuals, words that repeat often, and clearly labeled objects, both common and unfamiliar. When you read aloud, pause frequently to ask your child questions about the objects you see, answer her questions, and talk through the book's action and images. You don't need a big book budget for this age group. Hearing three or four titles over and over is better for a child than trying to introduce lots of new books. (Why? Our read-aloud quiz has the answer.)
Try these titles:
Color Zoo, by Lois Ehlert
"Shapes and colors in your zoo/Lots of things that you can do." Those lines start this classic, and they're quickly followed by pictures of shapes that seem to be cut right out of the center of the book. As the pages turn, these shapes become other shapes and eventually turn into animal faces. This is one of the few color-and-shape books even adults don't mind reading over and over — you'll see something new every time you open it.
My Aunt Came Back, by Pat Cummings
You'll find lots of catchy couplets in this action-packed board book. Here's a sample: "My Aunt came back from Bucharest/She brought me back a quilted vest." Each page starts with "My Aunt came back" and ends with a new object to point out. This book is also a great way to introduce your child to the concept of ethnic diversity.
Baker, Baker, Cookie Maker, by Linda Hayward
In this charmer, Sesame Street's familiar blue Cookie Monster is a baker, baker, cookie maker trying to escape the cookie takers. The rhymes will help your baby anticipate the next word. For example, "Cookie monster/cookie cutter/makes a batch/with peanut --".... butter. Your child will enjoy seeing a TV friend in a book, too.
Big Dog and Little Dog Wearing Sweaters, by Dav Pilkey
These two pooches will steal your heart. Drawn with just a few bold lines each, Big Dog and Little Dog are easy to identify and full of character. They're utterly charming, even when they get into trouble — which happens in every title of the four-book series. You'll find just one sentence per page, so you can move through quickly or pause to admire the dogs' sweaters or chat about dogs you know that act like the book's characters. You can use the plot to help develop your child's sense of empathy, too. Try this, for example: "Big Dog is sad. How come? Would you be sad if you didn't have your own sweater?"
Max's New Suit, by Rosemary Wells
Max — the toddler rabbit with a bossy sister — always finds himself in scenarios we can all relate to. He doesn't want his egg, is scared of his birthday present, wants to dress himself, and so on. It's fun to talk about Max with your 1-year-old, and as your child gets closer to 2, he'll start to appreciate the stories' plots more, too.
Spot Goes to the Farm, by Eric Hill
Suspend your sense of reality for a few minutes as you read about Spot, a cartoon dog who drives a tractor and shows his farmer dog dad that he can find the new baby chicks. This book is lift-the-flap style, which can help your child develop memory and motor skills. Each featured animal also makes its own noise, which is a good way to link the image and the word in your child's mind. If you like this one, pick up another — all the Spot books in Eric Hill's series are a lot of fun.
Who's Sick Today?, by Lynne Cherry
Kids who go to daycare will particularly love this book, which is all about which animals are sick today, and with what. The rhymes — "a whale on a scale, a chimp with a limp" — aid memory, and the drawings of the animals are realistic, so a child can readily identify, say, a gnu the next time the topic comes up. The drawings are so much fun that your child will want to see them again and again — and you won't mind either.
Hide-and-Seek Elmer, by David McKee
Elmer is a patchwork-quilt elephant. He speaks in rhymes, and is great for helping your child identify colors — like Joseph's coat, he's many-colored. In this lift-the-flap book, he's playing hide-and-seek, a game your child can easily identify with. Plus, looking behind flaps helps a toddler work on his motor skills while you cultivate his memory by asking questions like "Now where is that crocodile?" or "Which animal is behind this log?"
Shoes Shoes Shoes, by Ann Morris
Take something your child knows and loves and get some mileage out of it. This book is a showcase of shoes — "work shoes, play shoes, any-time-of-day shoes." Each page features one or two simple, clear photos of people from around the world in their respective footgear (though luckily go-go boots are nowhere in sight). This is a great conversation starter, and each line rhymes with "shoes," too.
Go, Dog, Go, by P.D. Eastman
At around 18 months, a child can usually handle more complicated drawings, and this is the time to bring on Go, Dog, Go. Every page features working-class, Average Joe-looking cartoon dogs, all with doggy labels — big dogs, little dogs, and so on. As the plot thickens, it becomes clear that these dogs are going somewhere, but where? While you're figuring that out, your child is absorbing concepts such as in and out, above and below, colors, sizes, and so on at the same time. The high points of the book are the six interludes in which one dog asks another, "Do you like my hat?" and gets the answer "I do not." As soon as your child is talking, she'll imitate the dogs' dialogue.
My Little Sister Ate One Hare, by Bill Grossman
Like "The House That Jack Built," this is a cumulative tale — it starts small and then builds up by repeating all that has gone before. The story is a little raucous, so it can hold the attention of a parent who's a reluctant reader, or an older brother or sister. For example: "My little sister ate 1 hare./We thought she'd throw up then and there./But she didn't." That's the start, and those lines are repeated and built upon, as the narrator proceeds through "4 shrews and their smelly socks and shoes," "8 worms and all their germs," to name a few. This book helps build listening comprehension skills and introduces counting skills.
Starter Library for 2- to 3-Year-Olds
By Rose Kennedy
The plot finally thickens for children between ages 2 and 3 now that they're old enough to follow story lines. Your toddler may even start demanding books that are a little more complicated than those that simply describe things but don't do much else. Resist the temptation to start reading lengthy favorites of your own — like The Velveteen Rabbit — and stick with these toddler-friendly stories instead. Your goal now is to share the joy of reading with your child, not to school him in classic children's books or teach him to read.
Terrible Teresa and Other Very Short Stories, by Mittie Cuetara
This is a book of witty four-picture stories that read like limericks, a natural for kids who don't like to sit still for very long, and for parents who need more practice before they tackle longer stories. One example: "We can't get very far. We cannot start the car. The keys are gone — oh please, won't you tell us where they are."
I Don't Care, Said the Bear, by Colin West
A moose is on the loose, but this bear doesn't care. The repetition of "I don't care" in this tale helps build your toddler's memory skills. Let yourself go with this one, hamming up each voice as new animals arrive on the scene, and pausing for a suspenseful second before each page turn. The plot plays to the 2-year-old mindset: This bear doesn't realize he's about to be in big trouble, but we know.
Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak
In this classic tale, young Max gets too rowdy and is sent to his room, where his imagination (and perhaps his time-out-induced anger) whisks him off to where the wild things are. The language is stirring and fun to read, from Max's command to "Let the wild rumpus start!" to the monsters' cry, "Please don't go. We'll eat you up, we love you so. But Max said 'No.'" The illustrations are intricate so toddlers and their parents have lots of detail to pore over.
Contrary Mary, by Anita Jeram
You'll love the antics of this contrary little mouse. Among other things, she insists on wearing shoes on the wrong feet and requesting roast beef for breakfast. You can work on basic concepts with your toddler by pausing to ask questions like: "Mary is walking on her hands. How do we walk?" The book becomes even more fun when Mary's mom turns the contrary tables on her.
Little Lumpty, by Miko Imai
Lumpty is a young egg who knows he shouldn't climb the wall from which Humpty Dumpty fell, but what little one can resist breaking the rules now and then. His brief, suspenseful tale will grab your toddler's attention, and it's a great way to start encouraging empathy. Ask your toddler, "How does Lumpty feel when it gets dark and he's still on the wall?"
A Friend for Minerva Louise, by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Minerva Louise is a sweet, gentle chicken who tends to get the wrong idea about a lot of things. She thinks the stroller is a wheelbarrow, the crib is a rabbit hutch, the baby gate a fence. If you have a 2-year-old, you may have to correct Minerva's cases of mistaken identity, but if you have a 3-year-old, she'll delight in doing it herself.
The Seven Silly Eaters, by Mary Ann Hoberman
This rhyming tale of seven children with strange eating habits is a fine choice as you try to build your child's vocabulary and increase her listening comprehension. As the family adds new members, you can improve counting skills and even touch on basic math such as addition.
Trade-In Mother, by Marisabina Russo
Here's the plot: Max wants to trade his mother for a model who hates vegetables as much as he does, who lets him eat cookies for breakfast, and who never makes him wash his hair. But Mama says, "I would never trade you in." To which Max responds: "Is there really a place to trade in little boys?" Never has a book opened so many good-humored conversations between mother and child — or cheered so many cranky kids and their parents.
The Accidental Zucchini, by Max Grover
Once your toddler is used to simple visuals and stories, throw this in the mix. Each letter of the alphabet is captured in a nonsense phrase and bright painting. The letter "C," for example, is represented by a "cupcake canyon." It will teach your child to see objects in these different contexts — a quilt on a queen's cape, for example, or macaroni on a merry-go-round. Pictures include full landscapes and many wonderfully rendered objects, and are a great way to build your child's "visual vocabulary" without confusing him.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net