Clifford: The Firehouse Dog

Atticus adores Clifford. In fact, one of his first t.v. shows was Clifford the Big Red Dog. In this book Clifford and Emily Elizabeth visit Clifford's firehouse dog brother. Clifford attempts to teach the children about fire safety like his brother, but he is just too big. However, when the fire alarm blares Clifford is able to use his size to help put out the fire and rescue everyone. Another adorable Clifford tale...

Charley's First Night

Helen Oxenbury and Amy Hest team up in Atticus's new library favorite - Charley's First Night. Henry Korn brings home his new dog, Charley, one snowy night. Henry is excited to show Charley his home and to begin his care-taking duties. His parents' one rule was - No dogs sleeping in his bed. When Charley wakes up in the night, will Henry be able to follow his parents' rule? Not only are the pictures in this book adorable, but the language is a bit stream of consciousness, just like a toddler. Even Ivy likes this one.

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.