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THE FAMILY BOOKSHELF - 07/16/2008
(by Rich Gawel - Staff Writer - September 17, 2008)
Board Books for New Parents
So you’re a new parent, and you want to do the right thing by spending a few minutes each night before bedtime reading to your bundle of joy. But there are thousands of books out there. Between the costs of gas and hardcovers these days, trips to the bookstore could bankrupt you. And, lugging stacks of books back and forth to the library could give you some sore muscles. So where do you begin?
You can start with some board books. They’re smaller than picture books, with fewer words and bigger illustrations—perfect for your toddler’s tiny attention span. More importantly, their thick cardboard construction can withstand fingers that like to grab, pull, and tear. There’s no shortage of available titles either from classic authors and fresh, funny voices alike.
The gold standard would be Goodnight Moon. First published in 1945, it has lulled generations of children to sleep with Margaret Wise Brown’s hypnotic prose and Clement Hurd’s elegant artwork. While the narrator says good night to everything around the young rabbit’s room, from the moon outside to the bowl full of mush, kids and grownups alike feel a sense of calm and order descend upon the end of their own busy days.
Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathman is a bit more lighthearted. As the zookeeper checks on his animals’ cages at the end of the day, Gorilla grabs his keys and plans a surprise. Your kids will giggle at the funny drawings depicting Gorilla’s schemes, and you’ll probably laugh too when you see how the zookeeper’s wife reacts. How many board books can claim a twist in the plot as well as marital insight?
For a story about a real zookeeper, check out Knut the Baby Polar Bear by Julianna, Isabella, and Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Gerald R. Uhlich. Knut was born at Zoo Berlin, but his mother couldn’t take care of him. So, zookeeper Thomas Dorflein assumed the job, feeding the cub as well as playing, swimming, and even sleeping with him. Children, especially those in an animal phase, will love the photos of Knut and Thomas as they spend their day together.
For animals from the land down under, try Charles Fuge’s Found You, Little Wombat and its sequels, Swim, Little Wombat, Swim and Where to, Little Wombat? This fuzzy Australian critter is easily distracted and prone to trouble, probably like your own little wombat. But Wombat’s mommy and friends are always there to help. The illustrations will provoke smiles, laughter, and affection. Don’t be surprised to see plush incarnations of the mischievous rascal on toy store shelves sometime soon.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, a classic you’ll find in schoolrooms and libraries everywhere, is a peek at the insect world. It’s no spoiler to say that this tale takes its protagonist from a humble larva on a leaf to life as a beautiful butterfly. But kids get more than a simple biology lesson as they laugh at the crazy things the caterpillar eats to prepare for his metamorphosis. Maybe they’ll see themselves as the caterpillar the next time you tell them they need to eat their fruits and veggies so they can grow up too.
If you’re more musically inclined, try a little singing and dancing before bedtime. In addition to adorable cartoon illustrations, Sandra Boynton’s books all have a rhythm that will leave you creating your own melodies. Pajama Time, Barnyard Dance, and Hippos Go Berserk turn getting ready for bed into a party, while Snuggle Puppy and Your Personal Penguin are perfect lullabies to share with the little guys and gals in your life.
You can sneak a little education into your nightly storytime with Karen Katz and her series of lift-the-flap books. Even the youngest audiences will have fun guessing what’s hiding under the pictures in Toes, Ears, & Nose, Where Is Baby’s Mommy?, I Can Share, A Potty for Me, and other titles, and they’ll never realize that they’re learning. Soon, they’ll be happy to practice their newfound manners as they tell you all about their own elbows and belly buttons.
If you need to emphasize discipline, or head off any problems before they start, try the Best Behavior series from several authors at Free Spirit Publishing. Titles include Teeth Are Not for Biting, Hands Are Not for Hitting, Words Are Not for Hurting, Germs Are Not for Sharing, and best of all for families with four-legged members, Tails Are Not for Pulling. In addition to emphasizing appropriate behavior, these books include suggestions for parents to try when their children are angry, sad, or otherwise upset.
Board books aren’t just for reading, though. Make a game out of story time. Have your little reader play along, pointing to the animals in the pictures and making their sounds, or count along with the characters’ adventures. Take the opportunity to build number skills and vocabulary on top of learning about the world and having as much fun as you can. And enjoy these times while they last. If you do your job right, it won’t be long before they’re reading on their own—hopefully with a flashlight under the covers after their lights are supposed to be out!
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