Mama's Car

Mama's Car 

 Mama's Car by Lucy Catchpole

A heartfelt and joyful picture book told from a young child’s point of view about her mother’s wheelchair, affectionately nicknamed the “Mama Car.” In simple, warm language, the Mama Car goes on everyday “expeditions” around the house and beyond, from breakfast trips to cozy snuggles when the child gets hurt. The story presents disability as a natural and loving part of family life, focusing on the comfort, connection, and care that come with being together, rather than on limitations. This tender book celebrates love, belonging, and the everyday adventures that make family life special.

Again!

 Again! by Britta Teckentrup

Again!

Again! by Britta Teckentrup is a playful and relatable picture book that celebrates repetition, curiosity, and the joy of shared moments. With bold, expressive illustrations and simple text, the story captures a young child’s love of asking for a favorite experience “again and again.” Teckentrup’s warm approach reflects everyday family life in a way that feels comforting and fun. It’s a delightful read that young children will easily connect with and enjoy returning to.

The Best Bed for Me

The Best Bed for Me

by Gaia Cornwall

"Bedtime delays abound in this book centering a young animal lover. While a child envisions snoozing as different creatures do, a parent patiently attempts to wind things down as another adult tends to an infant. “Maybe I could sleep upside down like... a bat! They hold on with their feet and hang down from branches,” says the brown-skinned, rosy-cheeked child, portrayed in red footie pj’s among a colony of bats. “My little bat, it’s time to calm our bodies down,” replies tan-skinned, short-haired Mama. Cycling through koalas, sea otters, piglets, puffins, whales, and emperor penguins, the story integrates notable facts about the featured critters’ nocturnal habits, while pencil and watercolor illustrations finished digitally show the child cozying up with friendly wildlife pals who seem similarly disinclined to settle. After a smooth segue by Mama that emphasizes a loving parent-child relationship, the book reaches a snuggly conclusion that sets the stage for sweet animal dreams.

I Was Born a Baby

I Was Born a Baby

by Meg Fleming

This adorable read-aloud story introduces baby animals who share what they are called and what they grow up into, and shows ow some baby animals share their names with several other species.

Animals Go Vroom!

Animal Go Vroom!

By Abi Cushman

ROAR! HISS! SQUEAK! This circular tale transports the reader on a mission to discover the source of the sounds. Using clever cut-outs, older children will learn about cause and effect when a traffic jam ensues, while younger children will delight in the various types of transportation. Is that HISS sound a snake? Or the air escasping from a tire? It may not be what you expect.

A Child's Treasury of Nursery Rhymes

By Kady MacDonald Denton

This is a classic collection that I use almost every week when I prepare for my storytimes and babytimes. It's a fun collection of nursery rhymes, verses and songs brought to us by the illustrator of such favourites as The Sniffles for Bear and A Bedtime for Bear. This book has everything from Three Blind Mice to Shoe a Little Horsey. I especially appreciate the way that the editor has created categories within the book, for instance, the section entitled; "Welcome Little Baby" is filled with nursery rhymes specifically geared towards baby. Other chapters include; Toddler Time, In the Schoolyard, and All Join In. This won the prestigious Canadian Council for the Arts Governor General's Literary Award. The simple, water colour images on each page add a whimsical feel and help tell the story behind each rhyme. So if you are looking for a calming nursery rhyme or a lively action song please pick up a copy of A Child's Treasury of Nursery Rhymes today.

A Ball for Daisy

By Christopher Raschka

This is a picture book, only pictures. Author/illustrator Chris Raschka tells a wonderful tale of a dog and her favorite toy, a ball. Through only pictures readers are treated to a sweet story about Daisy the dog. Daisy loves her ball and does everything with it. From playing to napping, Daisy’s ball is her best friend. One day while out for a walk another dog gets a hold of her ball...and it POP’s! Daisy is sad and walks home missing her ball. The next day while out for her walk she meets up with the same dog and they have a new ball for her. Daisy is so happy. With the use of bright colours, simple shapes and a water colour paint technique Raschka has created a lovely story. Children are sure to enjoy this sweet tale, A Ball for Daisy.

Tap the Magic Tree

Tap the Magic Tree

by Christie Matheson

Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson is a wonderfully crafted picture book about the magic of nature and the changing seasons. It incorporates beautiful collage and watercolor images and allows the reader to lend a hand progressing the story as they flip through the book. It is an interactive story that engages the imagination and observation skills of the reader. The anticipation of what will happen next blends well with the book’s simple text that instructs the readers to tap, shake, wiggle their fingers and blow kisses at a bare brown tree trunk to help it grow. With a surprise on each page, this is a delightful book to read out-loud. Great conversations can be developed about the animals on the page, pollination of flowers to apples, eggs to chicks and practicing basic learning concepts like counting and colours.  

Recommend Reading:  Ages 3-6

Daytime Nightime

by William Low

What do you see during the daytime? Butterflies, robins and rabbits.  What do you see at nighttime?  Bats, raccoons and the moon. 

With lovely, colourful illustrations and very simple text, this book is great for toddlers.  Your kids will have a great time recognizing the different animals, and they might even add their own ideas of other things that you can see during the day and at night.
    

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