Extraordinary Pets
By Barroux
This beautifully illustrated flap-book asks your little ones what kind of pet they'd like—an ordinary one or an extraordinary one? Sure your family can stick your dog in a raincoat, but a frog is waterproof!
Available for purchase at amazon.ca.
Are You Eating Something Green?
Are You Eating Something Red?
Make eating veggies and fruits a fun experience for kids! This book of 36 colouring placemats engages children to play with their food—in a good way.
Available for purchase at amazon.ca.
Stories in Motion Board Books
Zoo Babies by Paula Hannigan (text) and Heather Brown (art)
Bee & Me by Elle J. McGuiness (text) and Heather Brown (art)
Trucks by Paula Hannigan (text) and Shannon Chandler (art)
These colourful board books use innovative animation technology to create a moving image on neraly every page. Bee & Me, Zoo Babies, and Trucks are sure to entertain and engage your curious child.
Available for purchase at amazon.ca.
On the Night You Were Born
By Nancy Tillman
This sturdy board book is filled with whimsical illustrations and rhyming text, describing the celebration throughout the world when a baby is born. With dancing polar bears and swaying giraffes, this book is a unique story that your little one will enjoy.
Available for purchase at amazon.ca.
You Are Sooooo Beautiful
By Leanne Power (story) and Jared MacPherson (art)
This empowering book is great to read to little ones as they grow. Help your child to develop a more profound definition of beauty and a positive sense of self-worth with this sweet story of love and support between an aunt and her young niece.
Purchase at the official website.
DwellStudio Books
DwellStudio, known for its innovative home décor designs, has produced a beautiful line of hardcover books which will help little ones learn in style—whether it is colours, numbers, or animals. Try Touch & Feel Farm—your child will love touching the corrugated cardboard barn and fuzzy sheep with her own hands.
Click to buy them at amazon.ca!
Flip-a-Face Books by Blue Apple
By SAMi
These sturdy board books by SAMi are great for curious toddlers, who enjoy the peek-a-boo fun of finding new faces in the pages and figuring out what makes them different from one another. Lots of different colours and animals provide visual appeal.
Click to buy it now at amazon.com!
My First Words
By Dr. Robert Tizer
These entertaining board books feature concealed pictures of well-known objects for babies to discover. With vivid colours and hidden sliding panels, these books are sure to delight curious wee ones.
Click to buy it now at yourbabycan.com!
Harry and the Pop-Up Dinosaur Hunt
by Ian Whybrow
From the popular English Harry and His Bucket Full series, this book takes children on a playful adventure as they try to find a missing pterodactyl. With six spreads of sturdy pop-ups and hidden peekaboo panels for kids to flip up, this rhyming, colourful book covers all the favourite dinos, including a toothy Tyrannosaurus rex!
Click to buy it now at amazon.ca!
Little Polar Bear Finger Puppet Book
by Junzo Terada (artist)
Combine reading with creative play! Each page of these board books by Chronicle Books has a small hole for an attached plush finger puppet to peek through and amuse little ones. Babies who are still delighted by “peek-a-boo” will enjoy watching these engaging puppets pop through each page.
Other Finger Puppet Books are also available such as Little Puppy, Little Panda, Little Giraffe, Little Kitten, and more!
Click to buy it now at amazon.ca!
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
by Mo Willems
Tixie takes her beloved stuffed bunny on an errand with Dad—but accidently leaves Knuffle Bunny behind! Parents will relate to the signs of impending toddler meltdown that follow, and kids will rejoice when Trixie and Knuffle Bunny are reunited.
Hop! Hop! Hop!
by Ann Whitford Paul (Author), Jan Gerardi (Illustrator)
Little ones will identify with Little Rabbit as he struggles to follow Big Rabbit’s lead. Little Rabbit just can’t hop as high as Big Rabbit, and so he splashes into puddles and trips over tree roots. But never fear—the little bunny learns from his falls and finds a solution for getting around. Simple words and lots of repetition also make this book a good choice for beginning readers.
Alphabeasties: And Other Amazing Types
by Sharon Werner
“An alligator made of aAAaAaa’s, an elephant made of eEeEe’s, a monkey made of many MmmMmMmMm’s, and a zebra made of ZzzZZzz’s” You and your little one will enjoy how each alphabeast in this book is built from the first letter of its name. Sharon Werner and Sarah Forss offer their readers a whimsical way of looking at their ABCs.
In the Night Garden
by BBC Childrens Books
Join Igglepiggle, Makka Pakka, Upsy Daisy and friends for tons of fun activities in this creative book based on the popular British television show. With 40 stickers and a set of pencil crayons, this activity book challenges kids to draw different shapes, discover hidden objects, match colours, and practise counting. A perfect take-along on car trips to keep your little one entertained.
The Nutty Nutcracker Christmas
Ralph Covert (Author), G. Riley Mills (Author), Wilson Swain (Illustrator)
This isn’t the Nutcracker story as you remember it. This time, it’s the brother Fritz’s story! The traditional Nutcracker tale gets flipped upside down in this wonderful Christmas adventure, based on the hit musical A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas. The book includes a bonus CD of songs from the musical. Enjoy a romp through a fantastic world of imagination.
Mommy Calls Me Monkeypants
by J.D. Lester (Author), Hiroe Nakata (Illustrator)
This charming board book begins with, "Mommy calls me Monkeypants...just why I do not know." Mommy Calls Me Monkeypants (Robin Corey Books, 2009) looks at the silly nicknames that parents have for their little ones. In each line of J.D. Lester’s rhyming text, a mother’s pet name for her baby is introduced; a baby rhinoceros, kangaroo, and ladybug are a few of the many adorable characters that have been given nicknames. Hiroe Nakata’s lovely illustrations create a lighthearted tone that complements the playful text. While reading this delightful book together, your child may even come up with a few pet names for you!
In the Town All Year 'Round
by Rotraut Susanne Berner
This wonderfully oversized identification book is divided into four sections—one for each season. At the start of each section of In the Town All Year ‘Round is a full page that highlights several different people within the community. Kids can follow each character from page to page as they explore each season’s seven spreads. Follow along to find out why Oliver will be surprised while working in the garden (Fall) or why Suzie is going to have to buy a new hat (Winter). Colourfully drawn in cartoon style, each page will spark your child’s imagination. Get ready to explore.
Beastly Rhymes to Read After Dark
by Judy Sierra (Author), Brian Biggs (Illustrator)
“Danger! Warning! Kids beware! Rhyming beasts are everywhere. Turn the pages…if you dare.” Bound in a green-spotted fur (100% fake) cover of an unidentified bizarre beast, Beastly Rhymes to Read After Dark is a book that your kids will love from beginning to end. Funny rhymes range from “Leopard Chefs” to “Monster Reservoir,” and are illustrated with wonderfully gruesome graphics. Written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Brian Biggs, your kids will love this fantastic fur-clad book and will want to read it again and again.
The Gruffalo: 10th Anniversary Limited Edition
by Julia Donaldson (Author), Axel Scheffler (Illustrator)
The special 10th anniversary edition of The Gruffalo comes rewrapped in a golden cover and includes anniversary letters from both the book’s author, Julia Donaldson, and its illustrator, Axel Scheffler. Of course the story is still a classic and follows the adventures of a little mouse as he boldly makes his way through the deep, dark woods. A delightful tale that the whole family will love!
Pirate’s Log: A Handbook for Aspiring Swashbucklers
by Jory John and Avery Monsen
This handbook was written for every kid who’s ever dreamed of being a swashbuckling pirate. Full of playful silliness, this handy journal contains an ingenious “super secret” book light, making it easy to record important information at night or below deck. Wannabe buccaneers are taken through a series of puzzles, games, and challenges; they can pick their pirate name (descriptive word + name + something shiny = pirate name), invent hook alternatives, take on the “day-without-a-bath challenge,” and even design their own pirate flag. Excellent for keeping kids occupied while travelling (though be prepared to hear “arrr” much more often), Pirate’s Log is bounty kids will treasure for years to come.
Dr. Seuss' Happy Birthday, BABY!
by Dr. Seuss (writer) and Jan Girardi (illustrator)
This wonderfully tactile board book, based on Dr. Seuss’s Happy Birthday to You! offers an adventure on every page. Your little one will love touching, lifting, turning, and pulling something colourful on every page. Both of you will enjoy the rhymes that only Dr. Seuss can offer: “When we are done, I’ve got a hunch, There will be franks for Birthday Lunch...” Happy Birthday, BABY! helps your child celebrate their special day with the Great Birthday Bird and you!
Foodie Babies Wear Bibs
by Michelle Sinclair Colman
Join the urban babies as they celebrate fun food activities. Michelle Sinclair Coleman’s sixth board book from the Urban Babies series, Foodie Babies Wear Bibs, introduces adorable foodie babies as they skim through cookbooks and delight in finger foods, all in their naturally curious way. Nathalie Dion’s cherubic illustrations are adorable. Your little one will coo over the pictures as you giggle along while enjoying the humorous text and images. You will be happy to add Foodie Babies Wear Bibs to your child’s collection of board books. And they will thank you by wanting to read it again and again.
356 Ways to Live Green for Kids
by Sheri Amsel
Sheri Amsel’s book, 365 Ways to Live Green for Kids, offers the reader an adventure in saving the planet. Complete with tips for every day of the year, this book provides kids with fun stories and facts about the environment, games, and activities to enjoy with friends and family and interesting projects that they can do to help make our planet a better place to live. Amsel reminds us that our planet is a very special place.
“Even when you do something that appears small...you are helping keep the planet clean and healthy.”
Amsel’s book is an excellent way to begin.
Green Princess Cookbook
by Barbara Beery
This yummy cookbook is as delightful to look at as it is to cook from! Little princesses ages 4 to 9 will be able to create delicious masterpieces while learning how to make the Earth a better place. Each recipe is beautifully illustrated and features a green living tip like this one: “Instead of serving it in a bowl, serve Sunshine Sorbet in hollowed-out orange, lemon, or lime halves. Then save those rinds to compost in your garden!”
Delicious recipes that everyone in the family will enjoy are featured throughout. Try the Organic Orchard Salsa, the Eggs-actly Frittatas, or the Baby Butterfly Cupcakes to delight your eyes as well as your taste buds!
Only in Dreams: A Bedtime Story
by Paul Frank Industries
Join Julius the Monkey as he ventures into the world of dreams. Anything is possible when you close your eyes, including flying through the sky and growing a pair of lobster claws.
Duck! Rabbit!
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (writer) and Tom Lichtenheld (illustrator)
Duck! Rabbit! is a funny little tale about a grand debate sparked by a simple image—is it a duck or is it a rabbit? This visual puzzle has two unseen characters talking about why each is right about what they see. “There, see? It’s flying!” says the one who sees a duck. “Flying? It’s hopping!” says the character who perceives a rabbit. Although there is no right answer, there is an all-important lesson here; everyone has their own point of view. A dash of humour and bold, colourful illustrations make Duck! Rabbit! a fun read for children and parents. An endearing story no matter what you see.
Turtle’s Penguin Day
by Valeri Gorbachev
An incredibly sweet story, Turtle’s Penguin Day perfectly captures a child’s sense of imagination and wonder. After being read a bedtime story about penguins, Little Turtle dreams of the black and white animals he’s learned about and decides that he wants to be a penguin too. He dresses up in his grandfather’s black jacket and red slippers and sets off to school. When Little Turtle’s classmates see how he’s dressed, they decide that they also want to be penguins. Throughout their activities and lessons, the children behave and play like penguins, making it a perfect penguin day! This is an ideal bedtime story for your little turtles (or penguins!)
Eco Babies Wear Green
by Michelle Sinclair Colman; Illustrations by Nathalie Dion
Sweet, yet savvy, this baby’s board book not only educates, it also entertains. The original illustrations bring this little page turner alive with colourful and humorous examples of how to turn baby into a true eco hero. With eco baby flinging food from the high chair, we learn composting; and eating local is illustrated with a mommy-finger waving at a gloriously red-smattered strawberry-eating eco babe. One of a series “Urban Babies Wear Black” and “Beach Babies Wear Shades” among others, this witty little book makes a delightful green gift.
It’s Time To… the book series
by Lawrence E. Shapiro
The It’s Time To... series is a helpful tool for teaching children to be independent and capable. Along with advice for parents, these books provide support and guidance during times of transition. From helping your child develop language skills to learning to sleep alone and give up the soother once and for all, these books provide a starting point to engage in an ongoing dialogue with your little ones.
There is a Bird on Your Head
by Mo Willems
Throughout the tale of best friends Gerald and Piggie, children learn to explore a full array of emotions and see that even though we are all different, our friends can help us manage the unexpected.
The Lorax
by By Dr.Seuss
Who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss? These endearing books we loved to have read to us seem even more endearing as we read them to our children.