Newly Published Books for Preschool Children

Here are some newly published picture books that are good to read to preschool children.

Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Story; written and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand. (Holiday House, 2012)

With lively, short sentences and ear-pleasing word choices, this is a perfect fit for the attention-challenged preschool audience. With repetition of particular words and phrases, this book will be a hit. The bold colors and mixed media illustrations make this a  good selection for group viewing.Tiny, pale gray Mole is a wonderful foil to the big, brown Bear. The two friends, although visually different, are united by their shared task to construct a yellow kite which soars up, up Up.  Read this to inspire kite making or expose a preschooler to the fun of kite flying.

One Special Day; by Lola M. Schaeffer, illustrated by Jessica Meserve. (Disney-Hyperion, 2012)

A stand out book about welcoming a new sibling. Spencer is a spirited and energetic little boy who is about to take on a few new characteristics, becoming "quiet" and "gentle" as he watches for and then welcomes his parents who return home with a new baby sibling. This book celebrates all the things the older sibling can already do and the welcome addition of a few new roles. The interactive nature of the text makes child involvement easy and fun. The digital oil pastel illustrations are perfectly suited for Spencer's animal imaginings.

Silly Goose's Big Story; written and illustrated by Keiko Kasza. (Putnam, 2012)

Goose is a great storyteller and his buddies Beaver, Procupine and Squirrel love to playact them. But Goose is always the star and inists "They're my stories, so I'm the hero!" When Wolf comes along he catches Goose who makes up a new story about WEM (Wolf-Eating Monster) to get away. Goose is saved  thanks to his three friends who bring Goose's new story to life. Kasza's gouache illustrations of the animals show wonderful animation and expression. Kids will love the outsmarting of the Wolf by Goose and his friends. This is sure to be a hit with young readers and listeners.

Songs for Young Children

Classic songs that every toddler and their parent should know and sing together!
The Wheels on the Bus -- Action song. Do these motions with your toddler!



Old Mac Donald Had a Farm -- a classic

Shake My Sillies Out -- lots of fun for toddlers!

I'm a Litte Teapot

Fingerplays

If a Baby Blew a Bubble

Blow up cheeks          If a baby blew a bubble,

Put finger on chin     What would happen, would you say?

Clap on "burst"         Would the baby bubble burst

                 Blow         Or would the bubble blow away?


Round and Round the Garden
Begin with baby's hand palm side up, fingers apart. This fingerplay also works on the baby's foot.

Trace circles on palm           Round and round the garden
with index finger
                                              Goes the teddy bear.

Begin walking up the arm    One step, two step
using first 2 fingers

Tickle chin                           Tickly under there!



Two Little Apples

Hands in fists, shaking             Two little apples

Extend arms over head            Way up high in the apple tree.
shaking fists
                                                 Two little apples smiling at me!

Pretend to shake tree               I shook that tree, I shook it as hard as I could.

Flutter hands down                 Down came the apples.

Put fists on mouth                   Hmmm, they're good!



Eat an Apple

Bring right hand to mouth                 Eat an apple;

Close right hand in fist                       Save the core.

Bend down touch hand to ground      Plant the seeds

Extend both arms out                         And grow some more!

Out of Print Award Winning Mother Goose Books

These books have all won a Caldecott Honor Award the year afer they each were published. However they are all out of print. You may be able to find copies at your local public library. You can also purchase copies of these books onlie through used book companies.

Sing Mother Goose, Marguerite Torrey, illustrator; music by Opal Wheeler (Dutton) 1945.

Mother Goose, Tasha Tudor, illustrator, (Oxford University Press) 1944.

Four and Twenty Blackbirds, Robert Lawson, illustrator, text compiled by Helen Dean Fish (Stokes) 1937.