CCBC-Net Archives
Characteristics of Books for Babies
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Linda Sherouse <shfamily216>
Date: Wed, 07 Aug 2002 21:51:27 +0800
Well, you have hit upon a recent favorite of mine. I am the grandmother of twin girls born 1/19/02 and they were read to well before they were born. I want to echo the "bold artwork" in books for babies. When the twins were in the NICU, I read To Market, To Market illustrated by Jan Stevens to Anne and she actually followed my finger as I talked about the colorful images. It was hard to believe she was doing that but after six months of seeing her response to books, I am sure she did.
Also, her sister Faith loves How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen with illustrations by Mark Teague. Recently, I had just read Anne 5 books and got her to sleep for a nap on a quilt on the floor when I picked up Faith and began to read this book. As I turned each page, she let out an exuberant "ahhhh" so loudly that I feared she would wake her sleeping sister. When her mother read the book again the next day, she exhibited the same response.
Another important characteristic that I enjoy and the twins seem to enjoy as well is a song to sing the words to as we tell the stories. They love the rhythm of nursery rhymes, especially those we sing to them. I recently purchased two new board books and Shoo Fly by Iza Trapani is a huge hit. The entire book can be sung as the rhythm of the words continue to fit the melody of the original verse and the illustrations are such that as the child grows, they will be able to find more and more to entertain them. Familiar toys are used in the story and the clever ways the mouse tries to rid himself of the pesky fly will bring laughter as the child matures to recognize the mouse's resourcefulness.
The second recent purchase, also from Charlesbridge Publishing is Humpty Dumpty as told by Kin Eagle, illustrated by Rob Gilbert. Soft pastels in the illustrations held the eyes of my granddaughters while the familiar rhythm carried the story from start to finish.
The Harper Growing Tree series has ages on the spines of its board books and while I have read the girls stories above their age, their favorite from this series is Mama Mama by Jean Marzollo with pictures by Laura Regan. If a board book can have a soft quality, this one accomplishes it as the illustrations are wonderful warm images of mother animals with one young of their species. The words rhyme and the shared experience on each page makes the book a pleasure for reader and listener.
Finally, since the girls love their pop-up nursery rhyme books, I read them the moveable book by Paul O. Zelinsky of The Wheels on the Bus. It too was a hit and we read it about 6 times this past weekend.
Prior to expecting the birth of these twins, my first grandchildren, I had built a collection of many books recommended by this listserv. I want to thank you for all your wonderful suggestions.
Linda Sherouse
Date: Wed, 07 Aug 2002 21:51:27 +0800
Well, you have hit upon a recent favorite of mine. I am the grandmother of twin girls born 1/19/02 and they were read to well before they were born. I want to echo the "bold artwork" in books for babies. When the twins were in the NICU, I read To Market, To Market illustrated by Jan Stevens to Anne and she actually followed my finger as I talked about the colorful images. It was hard to believe she was doing that but after six months of seeing her response to books, I am sure she did.
Also, her sister Faith loves How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen with illustrations by Mark Teague. Recently, I had just read Anne 5 books and got her to sleep for a nap on a quilt on the floor when I picked up Faith and began to read this book. As I turned each page, she let out an exuberant "ahhhh" so loudly that I feared she would wake her sleeping sister. When her mother read the book again the next day, she exhibited the same response.
Another important characteristic that I enjoy and the twins seem to enjoy as well is a song to sing the words to as we tell the stories. They love the rhythm of nursery rhymes, especially those we sing to them. I recently purchased two new board books and Shoo Fly by Iza Trapani is a huge hit. The entire book can be sung as the rhythm of the words continue to fit the melody of the original verse and the illustrations are such that as the child grows, they will be able to find more and more to entertain them. Familiar toys are used in the story and the clever ways the mouse tries to rid himself of the pesky fly will bring laughter as the child matures to recognize the mouse's resourcefulness.
The second recent purchase, also from Charlesbridge Publishing is Humpty Dumpty as told by Kin Eagle, illustrated by Rob Gilbert. Soft pastels in the illustrations held the eyes of my granddaughters while the familiar rhythm carried the story from start to finish.
The Harper Growing Tree series has ages on the spines of its board books and while I have read the girls stories above their age, their favorite from this series is Mama Mama by Jean Marzollo with pictures by Laura Regan. If a board book can have a soft quality, this one accomplishes it as the illustrations are wonderful warm images of mother animals with one young of their species. The words rhyme and the shared experience on each page makes the book a pleasure for reader and listener.
Finally, since the girls love their pop-up nursery rhyme books, I read them the moveable book by Paul O. Zelinsky of The Wheels on the Bus. It too was a hit and we read it about 6 times this past weekend.
Prior to expecting the birth of these twins, my first grandchildren, I had built a collection of many books recommended by this listserv. I want to thank you for all your wonderful suggestions.
Linda Sherouse
-- Linda D. Sherouse, M.Ed., M.L.I.S. Educational Consultant 182 Mill Rd./ P.O. Box 1197 North Hampton, NH 0386297 Home (603) 964T89 Cell (603) 502U60 shfamily at attbi.com Adjunct Faculty URI, Graduate School of Library and Information Studies Consultant The Curriculum Resource LindaSherouse at mail.newsbank.comReceived on Wed 07 Aug 2002 08:51:27 AM CDT
