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The Police Cloud by Christoph Niemann — $10.87
We tell kids over and over that they can be anything they want when they grow up – but as grown-ups, we know that our dreams are sometimes at odds with our true calling. The Police Cloud conveys that message in the most utterly charming way imaginable. The title cloud has fantasized about being a police officer every since he was “a little puff.” But when he finally gets his chance, he finds that clouds aren't actually very well-suited to police work (for one thing, they tend to obscure the criminals they're chasing). Luckily, there's another municipal job that suits him perfectly. (Hint: it involves wearing red.) The retro-cartoonish illustrations and original story make this one a surefire hit – especially with police car- and fire truck-obsessed youngsters.
Ages 3-8.
Get it at Amazon. |
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The Zoo by Suzy Lee — $10.85
Kids love imagining what happens at the zoo when grown-ups aren't looking – a subject explored by picture book classics like Good Night, Gorilla and Curious George Goes to the Zoo. Suzy Lee's The Zoo takes the story for a new spin: a little girl wanders away from her parents to frolic in secret with the animals. The book cuts between scenes of the parents (rendered in gray and blue) running frantically through an empty zoo, and the girl (drawn in joyful childlike scribbles of color) playing ecstatic games with gorillas and elephants. Young readers who like to pore over illustrations will spend hours pulling details from Lee's stunning artwork (a mixture of pastel, collage and pen-and-ink).
Ages 4-8.
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Blue Moo by Sandra Boynton — $11.53
How about swapping a bedtime story for a bedtime singalong? A follow-up to Philadelphia Chickens, Rhinoceros Tap and Dog Train , this new book-and-CD set from Sandra Boynton is her best yet. The eighteen original songs on the Blue Moo album are styled after jukebox hits from the 50s and 60s, and sung by luminaries like Neil Sedaka, Brian Wilson and BB King. The compositions are clever, catchy and often hilarious, with an uncanny feel for the era. And of course, Boyton's accompanying illustrations are as endearing as ever.
Ages 2 and up.
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World Snacks books by Amy Wilson Sanger — $6.95 each
These snappy board books from Tricycle Press will encourage your youngster to have an adventurous palate – even if she's still eating pureed carrots. The six books in the series – Yum Yum Dim Sum, Mangia Mangia!, A Little Bit of Soul Food, Let's Nosh, First Book of Sushi and Hola Jalapeno – each take on a different ethnic cuisine, with a page each dedicated to dishes like risotto, ha gau, frijoles negros, uni and kugel. All are illustrated in a collage style that combines actual food pictures with paper cut-outs and plush reproductions, making each meal look like an appetizing treat straight out of a storybook.
Ages 0-3.
Get it at Amazon
We have a giveaway! One lucky reader will win all six books. Send an email to babblecontest@gmail.com with the subject line 'World Snack Books' for your chance to win. Winners will be notified by December 19th. |
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Brown Bear and Friends Board Book Gift Set by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle — $16.29
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? was first published in 1967, but the appeal of its full-page animal illustrations and gently repetitive text has never diminished. This new board book set contains both the original book and two follow-ups: Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? and Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? Colorful, sturdy and a breeze to memorize, these classics are perfectly tailored to toddlers.
Ages 0-6.
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Creature by Andrew Zuckerman — $36
And now for something completely different: an astounding, wordless collection of animal portraits. This coffee table book is not meant for children per se, but its high-resolution photographs on white backgrounds are as compelling as any neon fairy tale. A baby tiger leaps adorably to the top of one page; a magnified toad sits blinking on another. A docile black bear seems thoroughly loveable; a roaring lion, absolutely terrifying. Close-up photos of turtle shells and porcupine quills reveal textures invisible to the naked eye, while fur and feathers look real enough to pet. Get one copy of Creature and you'll enchant a whole family of nature-lovers.
Ages 2 and up.
Get it at Amazon. |
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