We're Going On A Bear Hunt

We're gonna catch a big one,
What a beautiful day,
We're not scared...

Starts off each new section of Michael Rosen's We're Going On A Bear Hunt. Besides Little Blue Truck, this is one of Atticus's only "big boy books" with a plot. Despite its length, he seems to love the repetitive nature. I also often change the "We're not scared," to "Ivy and Atticus aren't scared,"which he loves! Helen Oxenbury's lovely sketches are always a hit with children as well. This book is also great, because Ivy still loves it. It is one of the few baby books I can read that she runs over to listen to!

My Big Dinosaur Book

 I have been discovering that Atticus just LOVES dinosaurs. The scarier the better. Roger Priddy's My Big Dinosaur Book has been well used since I bought it a few days ago. On the first night I read it no less than eight times. A small miracle for Mr. Boo (a.k.a. Atticus). I guess I had not realized how crazy some of the dinosaur names were. I mean, who has heard of the Wannanosaurus or the Riojasaurus? It seems to be the region with a Latin ending + saurus! At any rate, rush out and get this book.

Dear Zoo

I am not sure how Dear Zoo by Rod Campell slipped my mind.

It is, by far, one of Atticus's favorite books. He and Ivy are both drawn to it as a source of comfort. There is something about lifting the flaps to reveal the surprise animal that brings joy. A simple plot - someone has written to the zoo requesting a pet. The pet keeps sending animals that just aren't right. Finally, the perfect animal is found. The edition we have is a pop-up as well. Atticus adores putting his little fingers in the lion's mouth. He also loves to hiss when the snake comes out. This is a must have for every baby.

Little Blue Truck

A gift from Grammy, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, is Atticus's first "big boy book".

He just loves to hear the adventures of Blue. Blue is a friendly little blue truck who greets the farm animals he meets on the way with a friendly Beep! Beep! Beep! When the loud and rude dump truck pushes Blue out of the road only to find himself in a puddle, who will come to his rescue? This book not only has engaging pictures, but it includes trucks, animals, and animal noises. What little boy wouldn't love it?

Colors by Xavier Deneux

What a treat this new board book is! Each page contains a simple cut out of an object from nature. The cut out fits neatly into its home on the facing page.

Atticus loves to run his fingers over the cut outs. The babies can trace the shape of each brightly colored object with their fingers. It is a visually pleasing book; a perfect gift for a baby or toddler.

Beautiful Oops!

Barney Saltzberg is a favorite of Atticus's. He loves his new Beautiful Oops! 

This is a simple tale that teaches children it is o.k. to make a mistake. Not only is it o.k., sometimes new and wonderful things come from mistakes. Page after page begins with a mistake that leads to something lovely, which is found by lifting a flap, tearing paper, lifting a bent corner, seeing a pop up, etc. This is a great book for both Ivy and Atticus. Ivy loves it because she is a budding artist who loves to see the creative process. A smash for all children!

Happy Birthday, Little Choo Choo

My little baby turned one last week. Where did the time go? One of Atticus's favorite books has been Petr Horacek's Choo Choo. It is a lovely board book about passengers boarding a train and riding through the countryside, into a tunnel, and back out into the lovely sunshine at a beach. The mountains are cut out, and Atticus loves to run his fingers over them. He also likes to stick his hands through the cut out tunnel. A must have for every one year old!