Captivate babies and toddlers

Babies and toddlers love to listen to stories read aloud. There are a few simple things to keep in mind when choosing books that will capture their attention.

Select books that have simple, colorful illustrations that match the story being told. Think about that as you peruse books you're considering for the child. Believe it or not, there are books on the market whose illustrations fall short in this regard. Remember, since tiny children can't read, they are looking at the illustrations while listening to you read. If the illustrations don't match up or are just plain lousy, your listener will become confused and lose interest.

Choose books that are age-appropriate, have a simple story line and are about things that little children can make a connection with — such as familiar objects, colors and ideas — and within those same stories, introduce new objects, colors, ideas and so on. After all, children are eager to learn, so when the unfamiliar is supported with the familiar, progress is easier and rewarding.

Babies and toddlers also like books that have some element of tactile engagement, such as lifting flaps and/or touching objects that have a different sensory feel beyond paper. That doesn't mean every book has to be tactile. You can encourage children to be interactive by asking them to point to the red balloon, the bunny and so on.

Today's reviewed books are excellent examples of young children's stories that will capture their attention and provide a positive, fun reading experience. There are many others. Ask your local librarian and bookseller to suggest more. Every positive reading experience builds upon others — and that's the point, right?

Books to Borrow

The following book is available at many public libraries.

"Little Rabbit Lost" written and illustrated by Harry Horse, Peachtree, 32 pages

Read aloud: age 2 — 3

Read yourself: age 7 — 8

It's Little Rabbit's birthday, and he and the family are off to a big amusement park to celebrate. Little Rabbit is very excited, and he feels very grown-up. Taking his red birthday balloon along with him, they set off. Little Rabbit's parents keep telling him not to go too far away from them. Little Rabbit replies that he is a big rabbit now, and he won't get lost. But when he finally does get lost, Little Rabbit feels as small as he really is. How will he find his mama and papa?

Striking the right chord with little ones who worry about being lost, this choice is spot-on.

Librarian's Choice

Library: Yuba County Library, 303 Second St., Marysville

Library Director: Loren MccRory

Outreach and Programming Coordinator: Kathleen Stewart

Choices this week: "Ten Little Fish" by Audrey Wood; "When Sheep Sleep" by Laura Numeroff; "Max's Words" by Kate Banks

Books to Buy

The following books are available at your favorite bookstores.

"Where's Spot?" written and illustrated by Eric Hill, Putnam, 2010, 26 pages, $12.99 hardcover

Read aloud: birth — age 3

Read yourself: age 6 — 7

Spot hasn't eaten his dinner. Where can he be? Join along in the hunt for Spot, looking behind eight different flaps whose occupants are not Spot, then to the final flap to discover the hiding place of the adorable, mischievous puppy.

Celebrating 30 years of the original lift-the-flap book, "Where's Spot?" is a must-read for babies and toddlers everywhere. First appearing in print in 1980, "Spot" books have become a global publishing sensation boasting 50 million copies in 60 different languages around the world. With those kinds of figures, nothing more needs to be said!

"Where Is Baby's Belly Button?" written and illustrated by Karen Katz, Little Simon, 2010, 14 pages, $9.99 board book

Read aloud: birth — age 2

Read yourself: age 6 — 7

Little children love playing peek-a-boo, and this fun interactive book is very appealing to young children as they lift the flaps to discover the baby's eyes, mouth, belly button, feet, hands and, finally, the baby hiding behind the towel.

First published in 2000, this anniversary edition is a wonderful addition to every small child's home library.

Kendal A. Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at kendal@sunlink.net .