|
     
Milton Understanding the Early Years
Best Children's Books
Language
and Cognitive Development,
Communication and General Knowledge.
  
Language and
cognitive development includes word and
number recognition, counting and memory, as
well as advanced literacy such as reading and
writing. Communication
and general knowledge is the ability
to clearly communicate one’s needs and to understand
others, as well as an interest in the outside
world.
The books listed
below are related to many of these qualities of school
readiness.
They are meant to
help you teach and inspire your children, as you show
them the
skills they will need to be successful at school and
throughout life. Best of all:
These books are kid-tested for fun!
To reserve any
of these books at the library, just
click the book’s title
or cover.
And remember: These
are just a few of the great books available to you.
The Milton
Library has many, many more!
A wide world
of fun and imagination awaits you and your kids.
Enjoy!
The Secret
of Water
by Masaru Emoto
**
 The
title of this book is misleading – it should be called
“The Proof of Positive Thinking for Kids”. In this book
Emoto, a world-renowned scientist, explains the link
between thought and water, and how it affects the world
we live in. Half science and half fun, this book is
original and thought provoking for everyone in the family
– especially recommended for ages 5 and up.
Let's Play
in the Forest
by Claudia Rueda
 Animals
play in the forest while a scary wolf slowly dresses
and becomes hungrier and hungrier.
The illustrations are simple, but very original
with a wonderful use of colour. Ideal for children 2–4.
Butterfly,
Butterfly
by Petr Horacek
 Lucy
is very much interested in the world of nature.
One day she spots a beautiful butterfly and chases
it round the garden. The next
day it’s gone, but Lucy does find all manner of creepy
crawlies. In the end, her butterfly
comes back, literally popping up from the pages.
The story is simple, but the artwork is gorgeous
– bold and vibrant. Might remind
some of the illustrations of Eric Carle.
Ideal for children 2–4.
Black?
White! Day? Night!
by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
 In
this book Seeger turns her talents to teaching about
opposites in a bright, colourful and imaginative way.
Through a series of die-cut pages the reader discovers
that things are not always what they seem.
A black bat magically becomes a
white ghost. A
sunny day is transformed into a
starry night. Wonderful
for children 2–4.
Pigs Love
Potatoes
by Anika Denise
 “One
pig wants potatoes / so Mama starts to cook.”
So starts this simple counting story told in
short, rhyming phrases. A most appealing
family of pigs is featured in the charcoal and acrylic
illustrations. There are lots
of charming details for young children to enjoy as all
the siblings, Dad and neighbours gather together for
a meal. Fun for children 2–4.
Animal
Minis
by Cherie Winner
 Bigger
may not always be better. Mostly, being small is just
different. This book, subtitled
What children really
want to know about tiny animals, would be a great
choice for that inquisitive, scientifically inclined
child. When choosing books for young children, don’t
forget the vast array of non-fiction titles that are
out there. Recommended for children 5–8.
Baby Bear's
Books
by Jane Yolen
 This
is a sweetly illustrated poem about a young bear’s passion
for books. From morning 'til night he manages to convince
a loved one to share a story or two with him. Piles
of books are found everywhere in this happy household.
Sure to be a hit with children 2-5.
More and
More Rabbits
by Nicholas Allan
 Mr.
and Mrs. Tail are happily married rabbits with a problem.
Every time they go to bed at night they wake up with
more rabbits. They love each one but enough is enough!
Parents will appreciate the humour in this unique counting
book, perhaps more than their children. Even if you
don't want to answer all the ensuing questions, it is
definitely worth a look. For children 4-7.
Alpha Oops!
The day z went first
by Alethea Kontis
 This
is not your typical alphabet book. The letter Z is tired
of always going last when the alphabet family lines
up. When he voices his objections the letters agree
(sort of) to go backwards. But soon pandemonium breaks
out as P, H and most of the other letters reveal they
have minds of their own. The quirky illustrations complement
the story perfectly. You and your children will have
fun with this one. Recommended for kids 5 and up.
The Wide-Mouthed
Frog
by Keith Faulkner
 A
wide-mouthed frog is interested in what other animals
eat—until he meets a creature who only eats wide-mouthed
frogs. The animals are depicted in sunny colours and
show off large, well-constructed pop-up beaks, whiskers
and snouts. This pop-up version of a traditional American
tale is a storytime favourite with children age 3 to
6.
One Cool
Watermelon
by Hannah Tofts
 This
tasty introduction to math
lets kids count their way to healthy eating with familiar
fruits and vegetables. A playful and interactive layout
allows children to open the flaps and view the inside
of each fruit or vegetable. Recommended for kids age
3 to 6.
Peek-a-boo
Christmas
by Marie Torres Cimarusti
 This
is a simple but bright and colourful lift-the-flap book
for the youngest in the family. Ideal
for six months to 2 years.
Moose Tracks!
by Karma Wilson
*
 This
large, easy-to-hold book uses amusingly illustrated
pages and fun-to-read rhymes to solve the mystery of
who left moose tracks all over the place.
From the hokey-pokeying goose whose feathers
fluttered loose to the sleeping beaver who gnawed the
bedpost, this book is chock full of cute characters,
original rhymes and detailed pictures to examine with
your young reader. Recommended for ages 2 to 5.
Goodnight,
Gorilla
by Peggy Rathman
*
 It’s
a rare board book that can truly tickle a parent’s funny
bone, but this one will have you laughing out loud as
it rollicks towards its comical climax.
In this story, it’s nighttime at the zoo, and
all is going according to routine – that is, until gorilla
gets hold of the zookeeper’s keys.
The hilarity slowly builds from there. This book
has but eight words besides the oft-repeated “good night”,
giving you loads of room to improvise a story around
Rathman’s amusing illustrations.
Taming
Horrible Harry
by Lili Chartrand
 Horrible
Harry is the forest’s resident monster whose days are
spent terrorizing any human being who stumbles into
his path. When a little girl
accidentally drops a book as she is running away, Harry
picks it up. What is this thing?
Can it be magic? The
rest, they say, is history. The book is boldly illustrated
with delightfully ghoulish paintings.
The story will enchant both young readers and
their parents as they discover together the magic of
reading. For ages 4 and up.
Nominated for the 2007 Governor General’s
Award for illustration of a children’s book.
To see the other lists
of great children's books, click one of the healthy
child development themes below:
Special thanks
to Janis Marshall,
the children's librarian at the Milton Public Library,
who has provided most of these delightful reviews.
Those with
*
were reviewed by the
UEY coordinator,
Kevin Black,
and those with
**
were reviewed
by
MCRC parent educator
Danielle Lalonde.
The Understanding
the Early Years initiative is funded by Human Resources
and Social Development Canada. For further information,
visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca.
|
