I recently helped organize a shower for a mother-to-be. Generous grandmothers-to-be and a thrift store habit met her newborn needs, so shower guests were asked to bring toddler presents. Guess what she got from me? There are a wealth of wonderful books for this age group, for it's the time when a young child's relationship with books really begins. Rhythm and rhyme are adored by toddlers and the reigning monarch is, of course, Mother Goose. She makes a lovely recent appearance in Sylvia Long's Mother Goose (Chronicle, $19.95; 0 and up) , a very complete collection that brims with colors, whimsy, and is rendered with an old-fashioned style that gives it a heirloom quality.
Humor's a necessity for toddler parents who will be reading the books their children come to love over and over. Rarely do rhythm, rhyme, and humor come together as well as they do in the works of Sandra Boynton. Her four best-sellers come packed together in Boynton's Greatest Hits: Volume II (Little Simon, $19.99; ages 2-5) . and each satisfies this age group's developmental needs. The Going to Bed Book calms the restless to sleep; Horns to Toes and Opposites introduce concept learning with playfulness and But Not the Hippopotamus is a silly first story about rejection. These titles have endured and succeeded with toddlers for almost two decades.
Toddlers are famous for toting books around and it's great for them to learn that reading has no time or place boundaries. A series of great new bathtub books come from innovative KIDS. These books are created in colorful non-toxic foam with shapes removable from their frames, to encourage concept learning with puzzle or bath play. Available now are Soft Shapes Colors, ; Soft Shapes Counting ; Soft Shapes Shapes ; and Soft Shapes Animals (each from innovative KIDS, $6.99; ages 1-4).
Bathroom reading might be inspired by potty training. Harriet Ziefert designs a Lift-the-Flap story that comes in two genders, Max's Potty and Sara's Potty (both from Dorling Kindersley, $9.95; ages 1-3) . A parade of animals try out a potty which doesn't fit any of them. It doesn't fit the young diaper-wearer either until playing with the potty leads to interest, which leads to understanding, and finally, to the success measured by big boy/girl pants! During toddler years, children grow hungry for learning and one of the most exciting parts of reading alouds is the thrill of watching children's intellectual growth. DK Publishing gives learning texture with the Touch and Feel books. Touch and Feel Ponies and Baby Animals bring animals close to young children who can stroke soft coats while they name and make sounds. (both books from DK Publishing, $6.96)
One of the most consistently excellent writers for young children is Eric Carle and the toddler years are a perfect time to introduce his work. Carle's bright collages, simple words, early concepts, and understanding of young emotional development are winning combinations in two new board books;
The Grouchy Ladybug (HarperCollins, $7.95) who introduces animals, time, and moods and The Very Lonely Firefly (Penguin Putnam,$10.99) who tells of light, loneliness, and provides a multisensory surprise at the book's end.
Even toddlers can have troubles. Two typical struggles come at bedtime and parent partings. My favorite leave-taking book is Dorothy Corey's You Go Away (Whitman, $; ages 2-3) . With very few words, we see farewells and reunions in a variety of situations. There are small departures, like peek-a-boo and tossing in the air. These lead to more significant exits like parents leaving for travel and those difficult school adieus. There is much wisdom in choice and organization of the situations, in the warmth of illustration and the repeated reassuring words which may can become a touchstone for a sensitive child. Nancy Wallace's Rabbit's Bedtime (Houghton Mifflin, $9.95; ages 2-4) is a book that could launch a ritual. In small collages, we see a bunny parent and child approaching bedtime transitions with the segue question: what was good about today? There come a string of rhythmic, rhyming responses that reflect a celebratory look at the work, play, laughter, singing, and communion of the day. The book's psychology will appeal to parents, the rhythms will appeal to their children, and the idea of reflection will calm everyone.
Emily Bolam's soft cloth book, Sleepy, Sleepy (Price Stern Sloan, $12.99; ages 0-3) is a near-wordless bedding down adventure. On opposing pages are close-eyed animals and between each is hinged a velour blanket, perfect for toddlers to put these creatures to bed. After toddlers tuck in all the animals, they can cozy down by stroking the soft blankets and tumble into sleep themselves.
One of the most calming night time books I ever read with my children makes a new appearance in board book. Barbara Berger's Grandfather
Twilight (Philomel, $6.99; ages 1-4) is an allegorical story of a grandfather who, nightly, takes one pearl from an everlasting strand and then goes for a walk. Everything quiets around him and the pearl growing larger with each step until he gently gives it to the silence above the sea. There is tranquility in both Berger's verse and soft mystical illustrations that make this a lullaby of a book.