Underwear

Potty training is no easy feat, and I am trying to inundate Atticus with books to help him along. I have found a few goodies over the past few days: Tupera Tupera's Polar Bear's Underwear

and Jared Chapman's Vegetable in Underwear.

Both books have relatively few words, but have hilarious pictures of animals and vegetables (respectively) in underwear. Polar Bear has lost his underwear. His good friend, mouse, finds various undergarments, but none of them seem to be quite right as other animals are wearing them! The vegetable book is quite silly, but what can one expect? What could be cuter than an envious diaper-wearing carrot looking at an underwear-wearing piece of broccoli? Both of these books are great for potty training kids!

Going Swimming

Sarah Garland is officially the first author Atticus requested by name. Tonight he repeatedly said, "I don't want xxx book. I want Sarah Garland's Going Swimming." After reading this for the fourth time, I decided it was blog worthy. The illustrations are just so true to life - babies running away from pools, people with accurate bodies, dogs wistfully staring from cars and longing to be with their masters, etc. Her series for toddlers is just so lovely and captivating. A hit for both boys and girls.

Building With Dad by Carol Nevius

Parents of toddler boys...rush out and get this book for Father's Day!

Atticus requested this no fewer than five times tonight. A young boy helps his dad, a construction worker, get his new school ready for opening day. The boy follows his dad from ground breaking until the first day of school in lovely, rhyming lines. The cool thing about Bill Thompson's illustrations is that a viewer feels like he is looking up at a scene, or down below depending on the picture. The perspectives are unique, and the pictures are so vivid they are almost like photographs. Atticus's favorite part, as could be guessed, is the machines at work: diggers, steam rollers, cement mixers, etc.

Harry the Dirty Dog

Gene Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham teamed up in 1956 to produce the classic, Harry the Dirty Dog. I thought there would be too many words for young Atticus, but no! Poor Harry hates baths so much he buries his bath brush and runs off to play. As the day progresses, he becomes dirtier and dirtier til he becomes a black dog with white spots instead of a white dog with black sports. He is heartbroken when his own family does not recognize him? Will he be able to convince him that he is truly Harry? Find out in this adorable tale.

Policeman Small

Lois Lenski does it again. I didn't think Mr. Atticus could like a book as much The Little Fire Engine, but Policeman Small is a close second. This book was originally published in 1962, but is still going strong. Readers follow the day of Mr. Small as he directs traffic, helps a fire engine and ambulance be on their way, and even leads a parade. Adorably illustrated, this book is a sure hit with the toddler crowd.

The Big Red Barn

An old Margaret Wise Brown classic beloved by both Ivy and Atticus alike. Follow all the animals in the barn from sun up to sun down. Toddlers love books with barn animals and animal sounds, making The Big Red Barn a must have. The book is reads like a soft lullaby, so it is only fitting that each of the pages gets gradually darker. Atticus's favorite line: "With some little puppy dogs all round and warm."

The Farmer's Away! Baa! Neigh!

This is a humorous book by Anne Vittur Kennedy about a group of farm animals just waiting for the farmer to go off for the day. The minute the farmer's tractor disappears, the animals begin their fun. They go boating, have a picnic, ride a roller coaster, jet ski, and even ride a hot air balloon. The only words on each page are the joyous sounds each animal makes as it encounters each new experience. On each picture one can see the farmer getting closer and closer...Atticus gets excited as the farmer gets closer, loudly warning the farmer animals to get back into their places! A fun hit for any toddler. When the farmer's away, the animals will play. 

Whose Tools?

Toni Buzzeo and Jim Datz have gathered to create the perfect book for tool aficionados.

This book is a young boy's dream. Each spread begins with a clue to what part of a house will be built next, ending with "Whose tools are those? Don't you know?" All of the tools are beautifully labeled. They are fun to look at because they have cartoon faces. Despite the humorous context, this is a non-fiction book about building a house. It is a wonderful book, but I am tiring of it slightly. I have had to read it eleven times in two days. A good sign?