5 Best Books for Babies {book list, picture}

I was a high school librarian here in Arizona for a year before I had my first child.  In that year I got to work with amazing teachers, supervise hard working library assistants, be guided by a fantastic principal, help coach a high school varsity team, and teach and interact with some of the very best students.  

There was one young lady who was a senior, that was incredibly driven and knew exactly what she wanted in life.  It was inspiring and impressive.  Well that beautiful lady has an adorable newborn son, and she reached out to me on Instagram  about the best books for babies.  

I decided an official book list is needed so I could share my favorite, and therefore the best ;) books for babies.  These 5 books all have reasons why I consider them to be amazing books for babies; therefore, pick them up for your own little ones, or give them as a gift.

However, I will say... Read, read, and read some more to your babies.  Consistently reading to them is the best way to Raise a Reader. 

The 5 Best Books to Read to Your Babies

Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton

This book has great rhythm; rhythm makes the book exciting and fun.  Reading is fun, and Boynton helps makes things fun and silly.  The topic, pajama time, makes for a great book to read before bed. 

Feely Bugs by David A. Carter

Feely Bugs is a simple fun read with lots of different textures.  Letting your baby, and helping them, feel the different textures is what makes this book so perfect for babies. 

Counting

This Foam Book is interactive as well as a easily and harmless "chewed" on or gnawing book.  It has been a favorite baby book to teach the concept of counting and improving fine motor skills for all of my babies.  I love that my babies could turn the pages, take the elephant, lions, monkeys, and other animals in and out of their puzzle like compartments.  All of the animals pieces together add up to 10 which was fun to count after pulling them all out.  I love this book, and often brought it to church or a place that my babies needed to be quiet. 

Touch Think Learn: Counting by Xavier Deneux

This book is fantastic.  Simple, but stunning, graphics help this concept (concept of colors) to be taught and enjoyed.  The colors are bright and high contrasting.  I LOVE this book and bought it after all my babies were grown.  Deneux has other concept books in the Touch Think Learn series, but this one is my favorite.  

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.  

This was my favorite board book to read to my babies.  I love the high contrasting pictures, especially the black sheep, which are especially perfect for newborns and the colors they can see.  High contrasting colors in this simple book with repetitious lines are just what babies need to hear and see.  

These 5 books are my favorite for newborns and babies.  They have been well loved and read at my house, and they are my favorite books to give at baby showers.  

I also want to say as your baby gets bigger and squirms around be sure to keep reading to them.  They still benefit from you reading even if they are jumping around.  Just keep reading!  

Happy Reading and Raising Readers! 

Of course, if you have any other book list requests please let me know.  

Touch-and-Feel Colors gets 4.5 stars {concept book, board book}

Cute simple contrasting colored pictures with various textures to touch on each page and a hint of rhyming text is a perfect read with a baby or toddler on your lap.

Touch-and-Feel Colors by Jonathan Litton is a simple concept book, with short and simple rhyming text, and bold colorful contrasting illustrations.  This book is well geared towards it's target audience, aka babies and toddlers.

4.5 out of 5 stars is what this book earned.  I really did like how well done this baby board book was.  Great pictures, simple but sometimes too subtle textures, and for the most part great writing.  I only say for the most part b/c there is one line that is a bit awkward with the rhyming.

Even with my slight critique, I highly suggest this book for any one with babies to preschoolers in their home.  The babies will love the contrasting colors, the toddlers will love the textures, and the preschoolers will love the rhyming text.

Definitely go check out this fun book, or buy it.  It's less than $10 on Amazon.   

Happy Color Concept Board Book Reading! 


Touch and Feel Colors by Jonathan Litton
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Best For: 0 - 4 year olds, babies to preschoolers
Worth a Check Out: Yes!
Buy It or Not: Buy
Read Aloud: Small group setting or possibly large setting as well.
Lesson Ideas: Colors, rhyming



I received this book from Myrick Marketing in exchange for my review and honest opinion.  All of my thoughts, opinions, and words are my own.

Love You, Baby! gets 4 Stars {board book}

Glitter, peek through pages, and adorable pictures make this simple sweet board book a winner for babies and toddlers.  

Love You, Baby! by Tiger Tales is a sweet book with nursery like colors and pictures and a gentle rhythm and rhyme.  I actually really appreciated the simplicity of this book, and feel it is well done for it's target audience.  

4 out of 5 stars for a well done baby board book, Love You, Baby!, with super cute pictures and a simple sweet message of love.  My only critique would be the illustrations don't enhance the story and text; the text and pictures each do their own thing.

if you have a little one go check out this sweet book.  

Happy Simple Sweet Baby Board Book Reading! 

Love You, Baby!
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 0-2 year olds, babies to toddlers
Worth a Check Out: Yes!
Buy It or Not: For a baby, it'd make a great gift.
Read Aloud: It's an okay read aloud
Lesson Ideas: rhyming


I received this book from Myrick Marketing in exchange for my review and honest opinion.  All of my thoughts, opinions, and words are my own.

Ten in Bed gets 4.5 Stars {board book, concept}

Onomatopoeias. Counting concept book.  Repetitious phrases. Cute animals.  

Ten in Bed by Gill Guile has all of that as well as super cute pictures and a fun board book with a not necessary but fun window, and the last couple pages that lend well to asking a couple predicting questions.  

This is a cute board book, and it would be perfect for 1-4 year olds.  I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars in my book review.  I liked the illustrations and color scheme; they bode well for a toddler bedtime book with the cute calming colors.  I love books with repetition, and this book has repetition on almost every page with the same phrases and events repeating.  Repetitious phrases are perfect for this age.  I like this simple math counting concept book.  Concept books are simple yet valuable for this age group.  

I felt the onomatopoeias in the book, aka the sound words, each and every animal makes when they fall out of bed could've been better.  Some of the animals sounds just didn't flow or seemed awkward.

Amazon had the following short and simple book description.  Did you ever sing this song? 

"There were ten in the bed, and the little one said, "Roll over! Roll over!" So they all rolled over and one fell out! Based on the popular song, ten cute and cuddly stuffed animals OINK!, MEOW!, and QUACK! their way off the bed in this lighthearted romp."

I love math, introducing a math concept book to my little toddlers just warms my nerdy heart.  Do you read many concept books?  Concept books are books that teach a concept like alphabet, math, shapes, and colors are just a few of the many various concept books.

Definitely go check out this fun book if you have a toddler or preschooler.   

Happy Counting Concept Board Book Reading! 


Ten in Bed illustrated by Gill Guile
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Best For: 1- 4 year olds, toddlers to preschoolers
Worth a Check Out: Yes!
Buy It or Not: A gift, but not for yourself.
Read Aloud: No, it's better in smaller settings
Lesson Ideas: Counting concept, subtraction



I received this book from Myrick Marketing in exchange for my review and honest opinion.  All of my thoughts, opinions, and words are my own.

Peekaboo Baby Animals gets 4 Stars {interactive, board book}

Squirmy active toddlers.  If you are a parent, you have probably had them.  Kids that can't stop moving.  Kids that have to be doing something at all times.  Whether they are getting into your make-up, pulling out every toy, or just making an overall mess of things those active squirmy kids still need to be read to.  

So, how do you do it?  How do you get an active kid to sit and read a book with you?  

Interactive Books!  That is the key to helping your squirmy active child to sit and read a book.  Interactive books give all the benefits of reading, but allow your child to do something while they are learning new words, being taught simple inquiry skills, or just learning some print concepts.

Books are good, and interactive books are great.  

This interactive and engaging book with riddles/questions and a sliding page feature to show the answer makes it a fun book for 1-4 year olds. 

Peekaboo Baby Animals by Maddie Frost gets 4 out of 5 stars.  

I really like the "Who is hiding" questions and the illustrations that often show just a little sneak peek of the answer.  I like the illustrations and the slide feature is seamless with the picture.  

However, I do wish the slide aspect of the page wasn't so tough to slide open; I think the difficulty to slide the pages is partly b/c the book is new but also part of the necessary design.  The stiffness will frustrate some young readers and take away from being interactive, which makes the book so cool.  The only other aspect of the book I don't like is some of the peekaboo sentences don't flow as smoothly as others.  

This book isn't perfect, but all in all, I am a fan!  
  

The official book description pretty much sums up what I've already said so I won't share it, but I will say... this is a cute book for younger kiddos.

Happy Engaging Interactive Board Book Reading! 


Peekaboo Baby Animals by Maddie Frost
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 1- 4 year olds, toddlers to preschoolers
Worth a Check Out: Yes!
Buy It or Not: A fun baby shower or birthday gift for an active toddler. 
Read Aloud: No, it's better in smaller settings 
Lesson Ideas: Inquiry, using clues to solve the riddles/questions, animals in their environment



I received this book from Myrick Marketing in exchange for my review and honest opinion.  All of my thoughts, opinions, and words are my own.

5 Books Everyone Needs to Like Yourself and Be the Best You {Book List}

I know as a teacher I wanted my students to perform the best they could and be okay with be an individual.  At the beginning of the school year my first class read aloud was Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.  It's a great book, and it helped me teach my students that it is okay to be an individual and to like yourself.  

As a mom to a 5, 4, and 1 year old I want my kids to learn to Like Yourself and Be the Best You!  I'm pretty sure every mom and dad want their kids to be their best.

That is where these 5 books help you out, and they are popular enough books your local library should have them.  Check them out.  

5 Books to Like Yourself and Be the Best You 

I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont

Beaumont has many great books; she is a favorite of mine.  This book is a great read aloud for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners especially.  I love how colorful and fun this book is as well as the message it loudly send.  Be you and like it! 

Max and Marla by Alexandra Boiger

This book is for your dreamer, and Olympics fan.  I love sports books, and I love the 6 steps to becoming an Olympian that they share, and I especially love the last lesson. "Obstacles turned into victories." 

Best for preschool through 3rd grade, possibly even up to 4th grade. 

     

Normal Norman by Tara Lazar

This book is fun.  The scientific side of it just makes my little science nerdy side smile, and the illustrations are fun and hard not to love as well.  Plus, who doesn't love lovable looking animals doing crazy fun things?!  Overall, I love the message, Normal is impossible to define! So be yourself!

Best for Toddlers through 4th grade.  The older kids will understand the message taught, and the younger kids will love the fun pictures.  

   

Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie

Alexie is known for his award winning Young Adult (YA) book; this is the first picture book of his that I have read. I liked this story, but I really liked the colorful pictures and the message taught of finding out who you are.  The Native Americans using the name to describe who you are made for a unique story line.  

Best for Kindergarten through 3rd grade. 

The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin

This book seems like the next best book to give a friend having a new baby.  The story of a mom telling her child that she wonders what that child will be.  I liked that it said, what you will be rather than what you will do.  This inspiring story is a definite heart warmer for mom hearts.  

Best for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners b/c of the characters/illustrations in the book are babies and young. 

I'm telling you these 5 books are definite winners.  They are fun reads, read alouds, and they teach such great messages.  

Happy Valuable Lessons Taught Picture Book Reading! 

2016's Best Free Summer Reading Programs for Everyone- Prevent the Slide

Just in case reading for the sake of reading during the summer isn't enough for you or your kids (it most definitely wasn't when I was a kid), maybe prizes for reading will be the motivation needed to avoid the "Summer Slide."

The Summer Slide is basically reading skill that goes downhill unless a child is reading and has access to books. 

I felt this infographic was informative. 

From CO Dept of Education

There are numerous summer reading programs out there, but I've narrowed them down to the Best Summer Reading Programs for 2016.  All of these programs are completely FREE which is fantastic.

Each of these programs are a bit different and are for different age groups, but the basic idea is you read, submit your log, and receive your free stuff.  It's pretty easy, and fun to see what stuff you get.  

I personally always love the free books my kids and I get, but activities like mini-golf, free meals, small toys, bookmarks, etc are other common and fun prizes.
  

2016's Best FREE Summer Reading Programs

From GettyImages

Your Local Public Library

• This is by far one of your best and easiest options.  You can usually sign-up online, but some libraries require you to come in and get the program sheets/journals.   
• You almost always get a free book after completing the program as well as other prizes.  The bookmarks and books are my favorite prizes, but swimming, water parks, or restaurant coupons are also known to be part of the prizes .
• Everyone can participate (babies to adults)
• My kiddos and I do the library summer reading program every year. We sometimes do a couple different libraries. ;)  

From GettyImages

Barnes and Noble  

• This year the theme is Summer Reading Triathlon.  You have to complete 3 out of the 4 reading tasks which include a fast book, long book, book series, and one that stretches your imagination.  I actually think this is a fun and atypical Summer Reading format.  Way to be original Barnes and Noble; well done! 
• Record on a Reading Journal (PDF found here)
• Bring journal in to the store
• Choose a free book from a selection there.  There are some really great books this year. Mercy Watson, Escape from Lemoncello's Library, and I Survived... books are a few of my favorites from this years selection.   
• Program runs between May 17, 2016 - September 6, 2016, but there's a kick-off celebration at most of the stores this Saturday June 4th.
•  There isn't an age limit, but the prizes are limited to books geared towards 1st through 6th grade.  However, I do have my toddlers participate in the summer reading program, but I have never filled out a reading log/journal.
• FYI,  Barnes and Noble does run out of book titles so the earlier you finish the better the selection you have.   

From Scholastic.com

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge

• This year the theme is Be a Reading Superhero.
• Kids read and log their minutes.  Kids can sign themselves up. Teachers and Parents can also be involved with this reading program. 
• All kids across the country have their minutes combined and it is kept track on the website which is fun to see. 
• Every time a child reaches a milestone you can enter a sweepstakes to win free books. 
• Location on website for parents to find free book lists as well as a reading timer app. 
• They do have events at various places around the country during the challenge.  Check here for the schedule of events. 

From Twitter

Half Price Books

• Each month (June and July) kids in 8th grade and younger can keep strive to read a total of 300 minutes. High school kids are now invited to participate (they haven't in past years) and earn a giftcard by reading a book from the recommended list and write a short review.   
• They keep track on this form which they print out and complete. 
• Bring completed form into the store at the end of the month or before September 1st and get $5 worth of store bucks to use as you please.  The gift card expires 9/1/16. 

From GettyImages

Chuck E. Cheese

• This family fun arcade and pizza restaurant has a year long reading challenge.  
• Read every day for two weeks, record it on this sheet, bring the sheet to your closest Chuck E Cheese and your child will receive 10 game tokens.  
• This expires 12/31/16, and it doesn't say you can't do it multiple times. 

From Audiobooksync.com

Sync- Audiobooks for Teens 13+

• This summer reading, or really listening, program is for teenagers only, but that is really just b/c the books are YA Lit focused.  Anyone can download the books, and listening to a book with your kid is a great idea. 
• This program runs May 5 - August 17, 2016.
• Every week a teenager can download 2 free audiobooks (a current book and a classical title) to the Overdrive App.  The books are good, and audiobooks are beneficial as well.  Keep those kids involved with books whichever way you can.  Plus, I love listening to audiobooks on roadtrips, commuting to work, long runs, or while do other hobbies. 
• You can sign up to receive an email or text to remind you to download the book.  You have one week to download the book from this site here, but once you download the audiobook files the books are yours to keep.   

Now if you need help deciding what to read, check out the numerous lists found here or check out these lists for all different grades.  I will be posting 2016 Summer Reading Lists tomorrow for all ages and reading levels. 

Happy Summer Reading Fun and Getting Sweet Stuff for Free!

Tiger Mamma Giveaway- Toys, Books, Moccassins, and More

Books and toys and cute moccasins oh my!  It's a good day for a giveaway!  

I actually have never done a 
giveaway on my blog (only 1 on my Instagram @alohamoraopenabook) so this is a first fun experience for me.  

I thought a giveaway that involved tiger themed books sounded fun, but when Siri at Pumpkin Thieves and Buffalo Wings mentioned there'd be the most adorable handmade toys and some Freshly Picked moccasins I said, "Yes please!"  I loved moccasins on my baby girl and a Caldecott Winning picture book seemed hard to pass up.  I figured there'd be loads of you that would want to win this sweet prize package.     

Today I'm collaborating with Siri of Pumpkin Thieves and Buffalo Wings 
to share what being a Tiger Mamma means to me.

When I first heard the term, Tiger Mamma I was a little unsure what it meant.  However, after thinking about it some more I realized tigers are some pretty amazing animals.  They swim, the only cat that does, as well as climb, run, and do all of the other things large cats do.  They are fierce and strong animals, and they insist on really nurturing their cubs.  

Tigers teach, play, and love their cubs unlike some of the other large cats.  To be honest I hope to be a mother equivalent to a tiger.  I hope to teach, play, bond, and love my 3 cute kids even if it's unconventional.  I hope to be as strong and fierce and dedicated to my kids as a tiger is.  I hope to be fearless when it comes to protecting my cubs as well as raising them.

I hope to be a Tiger Mamma.  

To celebrate the awesome-ness of Tigers we are collaborating with some fantastic bloggers
and handmade shops to bring you some phenomenal prizes!

Head over to Instagram to enter (the original post is currently on the second row and matches the top picture)
or get lots of extra entries on the rafflecopter here.

Go win!

Happy giveaway winning friends! 

Just for fun, check out the awesome blog and blogger feature Siri did on me here, and find out what we have in common.:)  

The Best of Dr. Seuss Books for Every Age and Grade {Seuss Birthday/Read Across America Day} {Book List}

Wednesday, March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's birthday; he was born in 1904.  Because I am a nerd and a children's librarian I always celebrate his birthday with reading a few of his books and wearing my Dr. Seuss shirt.  

Dr. Seuss's birthday is also Read Across America Day!  This day is celebrated in public libraries and schools around the country.  Famous celebrities and well known public figures like the President or First Lady have been found reading to school children on this day.  

With a big day focused on reading and Dr. Seuss many people like to read a book by Dr. Seuss aka Theodor Seuss Geisel.  Today, I am giving you 25 of the Best Dr. Seuss's books for every age and grade.  

However, b/c everyone should have a little Dr. Seuss knowledge in case you need to answer random trivia I will give you a few facts about the great writer.  Dr. Seuss was incredibly persistent which was a trait that allowed him to become a well known author.  Dr. Seuss first wrote And To Think I Saw it On Mulberry Street, however it was denied by publishers 29 times.  Luckily, Seuss ran into an old friend in NYC who had become an editor; this man agreed to publish his book.  46 books later the rest is history. 

The Best Books to Read for

Read Across America Day aka Dr. Seuss Day!

Baby/Toddler: 

The Foot Book

Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?

Preschool: 

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

 Dr. Seuss’s ABC

Kindergarten: 

Fox in Socks

Hop on Pop

Ten Apples Up on Top!

 First Grade: 

The Cat in the Hat

If I Ran the Zoo

There’s a Wocket in My Pocket!

Second Grade: 

Green Eggs and Ham

The Sneetches and Other Stories

Bartholomew and the Oobleck

Third Grade: 

I Wish that I Had Duck Feet

The Butter Battle Book

Hunches in Bunches

Fourth Grade:

Yertle the Turtle

Horton Hatches the Egg 

Horton Hears a Who!

Fifth Grade:  

The Lorax

The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

Sixth Grade: 

Oh the Places You’ll Go!

The King’s Stilts

And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street

Happy Read Across America Day!  Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Happy Funny, Silly, Rhyming, and Moral Story Reading!  Dr. Seuss has a lot of really great books with a lot of really great lessons to be learned from them no matter what your age. 

Do you have a favorite Dr. Seuss book?