In a household where reading is highly valued and a major pastime we have gone through hundreds of books since my son was born. Here is a brief review of our top five favorite picture books.
1. The Lamb-a-roo
The Lamb-a-roo by Diana Kimpton and Rosalind Beardshaw is a tale about an orphaned lamb who is adopted by a kangaroo. It has large colorful illustrations that take up most of the page. For infants and toddlers the words are interspersed with enough visual representation to hold their attention. The story is about love that rises above outward appearances and can be an excellent book for adoptive and biological parents alike. Though a very young child likely does not understand the broader message in this story the range of emotions and simplicity make this a great book to begin fostering global consciousness and acceptance. The Lamb-a-roo is my top pick for a wonderfully
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It is a rhyming story about an oddball anteater. It has large vivid illustrations and oversized text which are excellent for very young readers but has a drawback, the tongue. Yes, this book has a tongue and googley-eyes that could be a choking hazard to children under three years of age but that just means you should keep it out of reach. If you have anything in common with us you will want to keep it for years to come, so find a spot on your top shelf for this amusing book.
3. Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld is my favorite bedtime book for boys. This whimsical story can be read to any child but is probably more engaging for a child with a collection of trucks. The anthropomorphism of construction machinery can be amusing for parents and though I have read dozens of bedtime stories Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site is fun to read and keeps me from lingering in the bedroom too long.
4. The Day the Crayons