Gift ideas for 1 and 2 year olds - share the love of reading!

Do you have little ones you love sharing books with? When I'm choosing books to share with one and two year olds, I look for big pictures that aren't too busy: one large image per page. I love books with animals that kids can mimic sounds of, or people that kids can point to. And I look for rhyming words that are fun to read aloud and say with expression and rhythm. And, of course, board books are wonderful for little ones who love to turn the pages by themselves. Here are a few of my favorites:

Hello Baby!
written by Mem Fox
illustrated by Steve Jenkins
NY: Beach Lane Books, 2009
ages 1 - 4

"Hello, baby! Who are you?" begins this book, with a picture of a baby's hand and a monkey's tail, enticing you to turn the page. “Are you a monkey with clever toes? / Perhaps you’re a porcupine, twitching its nose.” We see an eagle, a gecko, a lion and more - all done in Steve Jenkin's vibrant paper collages. Parents will enjoy reading the rhyming questions and responses, and the bold pictures will fascinate young toddlers.

Peekaboo Morning
by Rachel Isadora
Putnam, 2002
ages 1 - 3

This book is so much fun to read with toddlers - they'll start playing peekaboo as you're reading the book!  Help your children guess who's coming in the next page by looking at the clues in the pictures. The beautiful illustrations of a cheerful African American toddler will make you smile, and their rich, pastel colors engage children and draw their attention.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes
by Mem Fox
illustrations by Helen Oxenbury
NY: Harcourt Children's Book, 2008
ages 2 - 5

 “There was one little baby who was born far away, and another who was born on the very next day, And both of these babies—as everyone knows— had ten little fingers and ten little toes.” So begins this charming book about how babies from all over are all alike in our most basic ways. Fox writes with a beautiful sense of rhythm and rhyme, but best of all, her books come from the heart. This is a special book to share with your child, and it will lead to warm hugs, tickles and kisses.  Hear Mem Fox singing this book on YouTube - what fun.

The Very Busy Spider
by Eric Carle
NY: Philomel, 1995
ages 1 - 5

I love sharing Eric Carle's board books with young children, especially The Very Busy Spider.  When my first child was a toddler, we used to just look at this book and play games with all of the animal sounds.  This book has a wonderful pattern to it, and my daughter loved tracing the raised line of the spider web.  I was delighted when I saw the flashcards with Eric Carle's animals. One and two year olds will love looking at these sturdy flash cards, naming the animals and playing with the animal sounds.  As your children get older, you can play ABC games with the cards.

The review copy came from my local public library. You can find these at your local library by searching WorldCat. If you make a purchase by clicking through to Amazon, Great Kid Books receives a small percentage, which will be used to buy more books to review.