I Went Walking, by Sue Williams, illustrated by Julie Vivas

A little child with wild hair sets out for a walk that turns into an adventure when a group of animals joins the fun. The simple watercolor illustrations help children guess which animal will appear next.

Red Wagon Books, 1996, paperback, board book

Let's Go Visiting, by Sue Williams, illustrated by Julie Vivas

The little child from I Went Walking visits a farm with a dog. The animal pictures in this counting book are simple and bright and will be great for children to point to and name.

Gulliver Books, 1998, paperback

Lunch, written and illustrated by Denise Fleming

Mouse is very hungry and eats lots of colorful vegetables and fruits. The collage illustrations give helpful hints to what the little mouse is going to eat next. Young children will have fun identifying the colors of their favorite foods.

Henry Holt & Company, 1998, paperback

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle

This predictable book uses a zoo setting to present an assortment of noisy creatures. Bold jewel-tone illustrations showcase each animal in vibrant double page spreads.

Henry Holt & Company, 1997, paperback, board book

Where Is My Mommy? written and illustrated by Julie Downing

Children will enjoy finding out where each animal's mommy is and what she is doing through very soft and gentle illustrations.

HarperCollins Juvenile Books, 2003, hardcover

The Baby Goes Beep, written and illustrated by Rebecca O’Connell

The baby goes beep, boom, flip, and splash. There are not many words in this book; the pictures tell the story. Parents and children will enjoy joining in on the sound effects and actions.

Millbrook Press, 2003, hardcover

Busy Fingers, by C. W. Bowie, illustrated by Fred Willingham

Reach a toe, say I love you, wave good-bye: fingers can do many things. Together the words and the pictures in this book show their toddler readers the many things fingers can do in their daily lives.

Whispering Coyote Pr, 2003, paperback

Hiding, written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes

A little girl and her baby brother are playing a hiding game and notice that many other things in their busy lives hide too.

Candlewick, 1996, paperback

On Your Potty, written and illustrated by Virginia Miller

Toddlers whose favorite word is "no" will chant "Nah!" along with Batholomew bear, but they will cheer as he reaches his potty just in time. Like other books featuring "Ba" and George, On Your Potty turns daily moments into special adventures that deserve a great big bear hug!

Candlewick Press, 2000, paperback, board book

Twins in the Park, by Ellen Weiss, illustrated by Sam Williams

The clear pictures and rhyming words invite toddlers to retell this story. Young readers will easily relate this book to their own playtime in the park.

Aladdin Library, 2003, paperback

Twins Take a Bath, by Ellen Weiss, illustrated by Sam Williams

The twin toddlers take a bath and have lots of fun being fish, watching their boat float, and even having some tea in the tub.

Aladdin Library, 2003, paperback

What Mommies Do Best / What Daddies Do Best, by Laura Numberoff, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

The words in these books are nearly identical, but each is illustrated with five different pairs of animals who tell their own stories about the many ways both parents show love for their children.

Little Simon, 2003, hardcover

Biscuit, by Allysa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Pat Schories

It is bedtime for Biscuit, a small, yellow puppy. But first he wants to play, have a snack, and hear a story. Young toddlers will identify with Biscuit while older children will identify with the little girl who tries to lull her puppy to sleep.

HarperTrophy, 1997, paperback, audio cassette

Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd

Little bunny says goodnight to everyone and everything in the "great green room." This classic bedtime story has beautiful rhymes accompanied by pictures of a darkening bedroom. Toddlers will love hearing this story night after night.

HarperCollins, 1991, paperback, board book, audio cassette

Go to Sleep, Daisy, written and illustrated by Jane Simmons

Mamma duck tries help little Daisy get to sleep, but Daisy can't because the animals are making too much noise. The soft illustrations and Mamma's persistence, though, should help lull other little toddlers to sleep.

Little Brown & Company, 1999, board book

Hush! by Minfong Ho, illustrated by Holly Meade

"Can't you see that baby's sleeping?" Using gentle and soothing rhymes, a mother asks various animals in the Thai jungle to "Hush!" The cut paper illustrations add richness to this story set in a serene summer evening.

Orchard Books, 2000, paperback

Sleepy Me, by Marni McGee, illustrated by Sam Williams (Also Wake Up, Me!)

Soft illustrations show that everyone is sleepy: dad, mom, the cat, the mouse. Everything is sleepy, too: the stair, the chair, the bookcase. The words are beautifully rhymed in this great bedtime book.

Simon & Schuster, 2001, hardcover

Song of Night: It's Time to Go to Bed , by Katherine Riley Nakamura, illustrated by Linnea Riley

It is time to go to bed, and several little animals are completing their bedtime routines. The words in this book are soothing and rhymed, the illustrations soft and gentle, easily sending little ones off to sweet dreams.

Blue Sky Press, 2002, hardcover

Ten, Nine, Eight, written and illustrated by Molly Bang

A little girl gets ready for bed as we count down from ten to one. The words and the illustrations create a cozy, quiet, and sleepy bedtime routine.

Greenwillow, 1998, paperback

The Way the Storm Stops, by Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger

The thunderstorm is making all kinds of sounds, hiss-hiss, tatter-tatter, as mommy tucks her little girl into bed. The comforting words and soft illustrations make the storm less frightening, and make this book a perfect bedtime read for a stormy night.

Henry Holt & Company, 2003, school & library binding

Where Does the Brown Bear Go? written and illustrated by Nicki Weiss

When the lights go down and the night comes, where do the animals go? They are all on their way home in this story that reads like a poem. The illustrations emphasize the night sky with its twinkling stars and gentle moon.

Greenwillow, 1989, paperback

Baby Rock, Baby Roll, by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Denise Fraifeld and Fernando Azevedo

The three busy babies engaged in familiar activities are sure to encourage toddlers to look, touch, poke and laugh along. The illustrations clearly match the text, making this book great for point and say practice.

Holiday House, 1997, paperback

Early Morning in the Barn, by Nancy Tafuri (out of print)

This large format storybook is a perfect way to introduce toddlers to farm animals and their sounds. The book is out of print, but check for it at your local library.

William Morrow, 1983, paperback (out of print)

Is It Red? Is It Yellow? Is It Blue? written and pictured by Tana Hoban

This beautiful book has no words, just colorful photos. Six colors are introduced to toddlers in pictures of things they see in their daily life. Each photograph is filled with various colors and shapes to spark the little ones' unlimited imagination.

William Morrow, 1987, paperback

I Spy: Funny Teeth / A Dinosaur's Eye / A School Bus, Riddles by Jean Marzollo, photographs by Walter Wick.

Little ones love playing I Spy; and this small board book introduces the game to toddlers.

Cartwheel Books, 2003, paperback

Mommy's Best Kiss, by Margaret Anastas, illustrated by Susan Winter

Simple rhymes and soft illustrations together create a goodnight book that highlights kisses and the special bonds between Mommies and their babies.

HarperCollins, 2003, hardcover

Red Train, by Will Grace, illustrated by Ed Vere

There are many things toddlers can point to and new words to say in this book. From counting the colorful train cars to naming the animals that ride on the train, toddlers will joyfully be kept busy.

Cartwheel Books, 2003, hardcover

Speedy Machines, by Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Snapshot (out of print)

Simple, clear, and easy to read, this book introduces toddlers to all kinds of speedy machines. Realistic pictures of sports cars, fighter planes, and a bullet train will delight toddlers who love vehicles, and introduce them to the idea of transportation.

Dorling Kindersley Publishing, 1997, board book (out of print)

Big Little, written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli

Toddlers meet many BIG and little things through a series of clever pairing. Trees and grownups are big; dandelions and babies are little. The words rhyme and are easy to read; and the pictures are fun to look at and talk about.

Candlewick Press, 2003, hardcover

Duck is Dirty, written and illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura

Duck is going for a walk, but suddenly it starts raining. Toddlers will enjoy learning the concepts windy, muddy, dirty, and clean; they might even feel positive about their bath time routines!

Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1996, hardcover

Hands Can, by Cheryl Willis Hudson, pictured by John-Francis Bourke

There are so many things hands can do. This great book has a rhymed text and wonderful photos of ethnically diverse children framed by graphic blocks of vivid colors.

Candlewick Press, 2003, school & library binding

Inside Freight Train, written and illustrated by Donald Crews

Toddlers will enjoy sliding open the pages of this board book to discover what's inside the train cars. There are many concepts to learn along the way: the colors of each train car, the fruit and animals inside, and of course the things a freight train do.

Greenwillow, 1996, paperback

Mouse Paint, written and illustrated by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Three white mice see three jars of paint and discover fascinating things while climbing in and out of the jars. More amazingly, they find ways to make the colors of orange, green and purple. After reading this story, parents and caregivers can invite toddlers to try mixing colors themselves.

Red Wagon Books, 1995, paperback, board book

My Beak, Your Beak, written and illustrated by Melanie Walsh

Dachshunds and Dalmatians look different, but they both love chasing sticks. Sharks and goldfish live in different places, but they both blow bubbles. This is a great book for introducing toddlers to the differences and similarities of some familiar animals.

Houghton Mifflin Co, 2002, paperback

My Car, written and illustrated by Byron Barton

With simple, vibrant illustrations, My Car will teach toddlers about the cars their parents drive, traffic signs and rules, and may imitate the daily responsibilities and routines of owning a car.

Greenwillow, 2001, paperback, board book

Opposites, written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton

In a humorous way, Boynton introduces opposite concepts with simple and silly illustrations. The words are also presented in various fonts and colors to emphasize the concepts, making the book even more fun to read.

Little Simon, 1982, board book

Quiet Loud, written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli

Toddlers will enjoy talking about the many quiet and loud things pictured in this engaging board book. Crayons, fish, and snow are quiet; pots and pans, doggies, and rainstorms are loud. The simple illustrations on bright backgrounds will remind toddlers of their own quiet and loud moments and objects.

Candlewick Press, 2003, hardcover

Yummy Yucky, written and illustrated by Leslie Patricelli

Blueberries, soup and sandwiches are yummy; blue crayons, soap, and sand are yucky. The illustrations pair items in whimsical ways: blueberries and blue crayons, apple pie and mud pie. Toddlers who like tasting everything, will relate to the yummy and yucky things encountered by the little child in this book.

Candlewick Press, 2003, hardcover

Bumpety Bump, by Kathy Henderson, illustrated by Carol Thompson

Bright illustrations capture a happy baby riding in her sister's arms, on grandpa's knee, uncle's neck, and so on. Read this playful rhyme while bouncing your toddler on your lap, and enjoy the fun.

Candlewick Press, 1996, hardcover (out of print)

Fiddle-I-Fee, written and illustrated by Melissa Sweet

A young child goes to feed a cat, hen, duck, dog, goose, and sheep. They all become a band parading around the farm, making a symphony of animal sounds that are fun to read or sing. Beautiful watercolor pictures illustrate this classic folk song.

Little Brown & Company, 2002, hardcover

Finger Rhymes, collected and illustrated by Marc Brown

These favorite old rhymes include instructions for acting out the finger plays. Put your little ones on your lap and start to read one of these charming rhymes as your fingers dance along. This book will inspire giggles as well as wiggles!

Puffin, 1996, paperback

Five Little Ducks, by Raffi, illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey

Mother duck sets out to find her five little ducks. This brightly illustrated song is also a counting story that counts down from five. It is a great choice for both toddlers and beginning readers.

Crown Publishing Group, 1999, paperback

Here Comes Mother Goose, by Iona Opie, illustrated by Rosemary Wells

This lovely collection of Mother Goose rhymes is divided into chapters grouped around similar topics. The large, bright pictures and large print make this a perfect read-aloud for even the youngest toddlers.

Candlewick Press, 1999, paperback

My Very First Mother Goose, by Iona Opie, illustrated by Rosemary Wells

This collection is a great resource for caregivers searching for rhymes to entertain and charm young children. Little ones will giggle with the pictures and want to join in on the captivating words.

Candlewick Press, 1996, paperback

Piggies, by Audrey Wood, illustrated by Don Wood

Your own toddler's fingers will want to dance and sing along with the "little piggies" in this book. The colorful illustrations of frolicking pigs on fingers are filled with visual detail that will encourage repeated reading.

Red Wagon Books, 2000, paperback, board book

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, by Steve Scott

This simple version of the familiar rhyme is perfect for the youngest readers. The bright primary colored pictures will invite toddlers to act out the song with their own teddy bears.

HarperFestival, 1998, hardcover

Time for Bed, by Jane Dyer, illustrated by Mem Fox

The words to this bedtime rhyme read like music; and the gentle and loving pictures will make any toddler want to snuggle down to sleep with the baby animals.

Red Wagon Books, 1997, paperback, board book

What a Wonderful World, by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss, illustrated by Ashley Bryan

The bright artwork, full of rich colors and soft lines is perfect for depicting this famous song, once beautifully sung by Louis Armstrong. With animals, trees, flowers and children from many backgrounds, this book encourages everyone to appreciate the wonderful world around us.

Atheneum, 1995, paperback, audio cassette

The Wheels on the Bus, by Raffi, illustrated by Sylvie Kantorovitz Wickstorm

This classic children's song takes another spin on a rickety red bus going through a quaint town. The cheerful illustrations will help hold young toddler's interest while you read or sing along.

Crown Publishing Group, 1998, paperback

Digger Man, by Andrea Zimmerman, illustrated by David Clemesha

Children who love big machines will identify with the main character who explains what he'll do when he has his very own digger. The colorful illustrations will help toddlers "read" the story on their own.

Henry Holt & Company, 2003, school & library binding

Goldilocks and the Three Bears, written and illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev

This humorous version of the traditional tale is filled with delightful details: Papa bear with his violin, Mama bear wearing earring, and Baby Bear with his own stuffed bear. The interesting pictures, simplified retelling, and repetitive phrases make this "just right" for toddlers.

North South Books, 2001, paperback

Gossie & Gertie, written and illustrate by Olivier Dunrea

Gossie and Gertie are best friends who do almost everything together. The small format book with detailed pictures against a white background will appeal to toddlers who will easily follow the two friends as they romp around in their bright red and blue boots.

Houghton Mifflin Co, 2002, hardcover

Hi Harry! the Moving Story of How One Slow Tortoise Slowly Made a Friend, by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Barbara Firth

Harry is a very slow tortoise who wants to find a friend, but everyone else is too fast for him. Slowly, Harry finds a friend who has time to play with a slow tortoise. This is a great story to read aloud.

Candlewick Press, 2003, school & library binding

Mama's Little Bears, written and illustrated by Nancy Tafuri

This story follows three little bears on their explorations through the forest and then back home to Mama. The large print is easy to read, and the illustrations clearly show the meanings of important words such as up, down, in, and under.

Scholastic, 2002, school & library binding

The Snowy Day, written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats

New fallen snow turns Peter's city into a winter playground. Peter's red snowsuit is a bright and vibrant contrast to the piles of snow all around. Encourage your toddler to make footprints, tracks, snow angels just like Peter.

Viking Childrens Books, 1998, paperback, board book

Barnyard Banter, written and illustrated by Denise Fleming

This playful book is filled with rich and bright colors. The rhythm of the text and the animal sounds make it a great read aloud. Children will love joining in on the sounds and will laugh aloud as they track the missing goose!

Henry Holt & Company, 2001, paperback, board book

Bear Snores On, by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman

On a cold winter night, a mouse lights a fire in the bear's damp, dank, dark cave, "but the bear snores on." More animals follow, and a party begins! Soft acrylic pictures provide the balance needed to put to rest any nervousness for the little animals' safety. Children will join in the refrain as the story builds toward the joyful outcome.

Margaret K. McElderry, 2002, paperback

Flappy Waggy Wiggly, written and illustrated by Amanda Leslie

"Who has a wrinkly green body and a lot of teeth?" The bold illustrations with thick outlines will give toddlers extra hints for guessing the answers. This book is sure to capture children's full attention, and have them raising hands to answer.

Dutton Books, 1999, paperback

Oh, Brother, written and illustrated by Kathy Mallat

Brother rabbit teases Baby by taking her blankie. The characters and the brightly striped red and white blankie are drawn with a stuffed animal feel, making dramatic play with children's own toys a natural extension activity.

Walker & Co, 2003, hardcover

Shoes, by Elizabeth Winthrop, illustrated by William Joyce

With humorous illustrations and lyrical text, this book presents many kinds of shoes that children see in their daily lives. "There are shoes to buckle, shoes to tie. . . shoes to skate in, shoes to skip in, shoes to turn a double flip in." Children will enjoy comparing these to their own shoes and what they do in them.

HarperFestival, 1996, paperback, big book, board book, audio cassette

Blue's ABC Detective Game, by Deborah Reber, illustrated by Karen Craig

Popular preschool characters Steve and his cartoon dog Blue, plus all their friends play an alphabet game in this lift-the-flap book. Each letter has a matching object under a flap. You and your child can take turns lifting the flaps while your child learns the alphabet.

Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon, 2002, paperback

Chimp and Zee's Noisy Book, by Laurence Anholt, illustrated by Catherine Anholt

"Ha, ha, ha! Hee, hee, hee! Make a noise with Chimp and Zee!" This book, with its colorful pictures, will inspire children to imitate the characters.

Phyllis Fogelman Books, 2002, board book

Clap Your Hands, written and illustrated by Lorinda Bryan Cauley

Encourage your child to join in on this celebration of movement. Be prepared for giggles as you read this book that asks you to "Reach for the sky, wiggle your toes. Stick out your tongue and touch your nose."

Putnam Pub Group Juv, 2001, paperback

Daisy's Hide And Seek: A Lift and Flap Book, written and illustrated by Jane Simmons

Your child can follow Daisy as she looks for her friend among the clever flaps of this book, finding other country creatures along the way. Extend the story by playing hide and seek or having a treasure hunt afterwards.

Little Brown & Company, 2001, hardcover

Dear Zoo: A Lift and Flap Book, written and illustrated by Rod Campbell

A child has asked the zoo to send him a pet, but will they send him the right one? Children get to lift flaps on lots of packages and guess what animal is inside. They will also learn some great words to describe animals: grumpy, scary, naughty, etc.

Little Simon, 1999, hardcover

From Head to Toe, written and illustrated by Eric Carle

Children will get to practice lots of different movements and review the names of body parts as they join the characters in this brightly illustrated book.

HarperFestival, 1999, paperback

Fuzzy Fuzzy Fuzzy!: A Touch, Skritch, & Tickle Book, written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton

This easy-to-hold board book oozes fun with a variety of interesting textures for toddlers to touch, tickle, and skritch and talk about. The large, textured print will encourage even more interaction.

Little Simon, 2003, hardcover

Pat the Bunny (Touch and Feel Book), written and illustrated by Dorothy Kunhardt

This classic book still entertains young children as they touch, smell, poke, and pat, imitating the book's characters. Toddlers will want to read and play with this sturdy book over and over again.

Golden Books, 2001, plastic comb, paperback

Where's Spot?, written and illustrated by Eric Hill

Young children will lift the flaps in this book to help Spot's Mom find him. They will want to join in the story after a few readings, and practice using the word "no" in an appropriate and fun manner.

Putnam Pub Group Juv, 2003, paperback

123 Yippie, written and illustrated by Lisa Jahn-Clough

As the reader counts up from one to ten, toddlers are invited to a party hosted by two little children and their animal friends. As we count down from ten to one, everyone gets ready for home. Toddlers will enjoy the excitement of counting up to the party while adults will appreciate the calm during the counting down.

Houghton Mifflin Co, 1998, hardcover

ABC: A Child's First Alphabet Book, written and illustrated by Alison Jay

The pictures in this book tell the story of a man taking a journey to exotic places and show many objects that begin with each letter. Children and adults will find enjoyment again and again going through this surprising journey with the alphabet.

Dutton Books, 2003, school & library binding

ABC Pop!, written and illustrated by Rachel Isadora

"Zing! Zoom! Zap!" This is an alphabet book that has "secrets" in the pictures; they tell stories and make sounds. The bold illustrations are in the pop art style of the 1960s and add great vibrancy and energy to the book.

Puffin, 2001, paperback

Animal ABC, written and illustrated by Leslie A. Baker

This simple alphabet book will appeal to even the youngest toddlers. Twenty-six animals are painted in soft yet realistic watercolors. The combination of familiar and exotic animals is sure to please children who love animals from Ant to Zebra.

Henry Holt & Company, 2003, school & library binding

Black & White Rabbit's ABC, written and illustrated by Alan Baker

Reading from A to Z, children will make friends with a curious Rabbit who has had a day filled with work. They will also enjoy exploring the colors and shapes in the book's illustrations.

Larousse Kingfisher Chambers, 1999, paperback

Cock-A-Doodle-Doo: A Farmyard Counting Book: written and illustrated by Steve Lavis

At the crack of dawn, a rooster's loud cock-a-doodle-doo wakes all the animals. Then the farm gets very noisy and busy. Toddlers will be pleased with the beautiful watercolor illustrations and will want to imitate the animals' happy, noisy sounds.

Lodestar Books, 2001, board book

Counting on the Woods, by George Ella Lyon, pictured by Ann W. Olson

The fascinating photographs in this book take children down a path in the Appalachian woods of Kentucky . The many mysterious and beautiful things found there can be counted while children learn to appreciate the beauty of nature.

DK Ink, 2000, paperback

Doggies, written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton

Young children who love dogs and their noisy barks will have lots of fun with this counting book. When they find out the hidden humor of the silly surprise ending, they are sure laugh out loud.

Little Simon, 1984, paperback, board book

Dog's ABC: A Silly Story about the Alphabet, written and illustrated by Emma Dodd

Dog has quite a day! He sees many things and does lots of silly things. Finally he gets too tired to think of the last letter of the alphabet, and falls fast asleep. Children will have much fun going through the 26 letters with their new dog friend. Dog's misadventures also make this book a great read-aloud.

Dutton Books, 2002, paperback (2004)

Joshua's Counting Book, by Alona Frankel

In this counting book, Joshua tells stories about himself, his fish, his family, and their pets. Then he tells another story about a wonderful secret; a secret that will fascinate little ones and make them exclaim "How wonderful!"

HarperFestival, 2000, hardcover

My First ABC, written by Debbie MacKinnon, pictured by Anthea Sieveking

The bright photos in this book introduce 26 ethnically diverse children along with some of their favorite belongings: "Alison's apple, Brian's book." Toddlers will be delighted by the pictures, meet new friends, and learn about the alphabet. The text falls into an easy, alliterative cadence making it a great book to read aloud.

Frances Lincoln Ltd, 1995, paperback

Quack and Count, written and illustrated by Keith Baker

In rhymed text, this playful counting book presents seven energetic, busy ducklings. Children will find enjoyment looking at the beautiful cut paper collages and learning about different ways to count to seven.

Red Wagon Books, 2003, paperback (2004), board book