Great Booklists for Young Listeners

Booklists for Young Listeners:

• Best Books for Babies: An annual list of great books for the youngest children, selected by Beginning with Books. http://www.beginningwithbooks.org/books
  

• Brooklyn Public Library: Lists for each age group, grouped by age-appropriate features.

Books for Babies: www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/first5years/read/baby/books.jsp
Books for Toddlers: www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/first5years/read/toddler/books.jsp
Books for Preschoolers: www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/first5years/read/preschooler/books.jsp

• Hennipin County Library: Search their Early Literacy Storytime Ideas Exchange (ELSIE) to find books that emphasize a particular early literacy skill. Newest titles appear first. www.hclib.org/BirthTo6/ELSIE.cfm

• King County Library System: Printable Booklists for each age group.

Books for Babies:www.kcls.org/kids/whattoread/booklists/Booklist Babies.pdf
Books for Toddlers: www.kcls.org/kids/whattoread/booklists/Booklist Toddlers.pdf
Books for Preschoolers: www.kcls.org/kids/whattoread/booklists/Booklist Preschoolers.pdf

• Multnomah County Library: Lists for each age group.

Favorites for Babies: www.multcolib.org/birthtosix/booklists/bkbabies.html
Favorites for Toddlers: www.multcolib.org/birthtosix/booklists/bktoddlers.html
Favorites for Preschoolers: www.multcolib.org/birthtosix/booklists/bkpreschoolers.html

What Preschoolers Like In Books

What Preschoolers Like In Books (4 - 5 Years of Age)

• Books that tell stories

• Books that make them laugh

• Books with simple text they can memorize

• Books about kids that are like them - also books that introduce children who are different from them

• Books about going to school and books about making friends

• Books that have playful or rhyming language

• Alphabet books, counting books, and vocabulary books

• Books about the real world - trucks, dinosaurs, insects

For Print Motivation:

• Non-Fiction Books can follow a preschooler's fascination about the world around them. Let them know the things they love can be found in books!

• Repeated Phrases and Patterned Texts Books make it easy for preschoolers to jump in and participate.

• Read an old favorite of yours. Your enthusiasm will be contagious!

For Phonological Awareness:

• Song Books are a great way to help them hear the smaller sounds in words. Preschoolers will enjoy song collections that keep everyone singing!

• Rhyming Books can have a good rhythm to the language, even if they are not written in formal "poem" stanzas. They are some of the best ways to build phonological awareness skills.
  

• Preschoolers are ready for longer rhyming collections.

For Vocabulary:

• Picture Books build vocabulary because they have more "rare" words than our casual conversation.

• Books that incorporate questions to the reader are great conversation starters. The more we talk with our children, the larger their vocabularies will be.

• ABC Books often are full of objects to name and things to discuss.

For Narrative Skills:

• Stories that explore daily events, the passing seasons, or steps involved in making something, help children understand sequence.

• Hearing different versions of familiar folktales help make children aware of the basic structure of a story.

• Wordless and Nearly Wordless Books let children tell stories in their own words.

For Print Awareness:

• Books about reading and writing are great ways to help build a child's interest in and awareness of books and print.

For Letter Knowledge:

• Preschoolers are starting to learn letter sounds as well as letter shapes. You can use I Spy Books to look for objects that start with a certain sound.

• Preschoolers are also ready for more sophisticated alphabet books that play with letter shapes, letter sounds, and vocabulary.

Search-and-Find Books give preschoolers a chance to practice differentiating between shapes and objects. Make sure the books are not to easy.

What Toddlers Like In Books

What Toddlers Like In Books ( 2 - 3 Years of Age)

• Small books to fit small hands

• Books with simple rhymes

• Books with familiar items - shoes, toys, pets

• Books with familiar routines - bedtime, bath time, meals

• Lift the flap books

• Books with very few words or with repeating words - books little ones can learn by heart

• Goodnight books for bedtime

For Print Motivation:

• Lift-the-Flap Books are very engaging!

• Silly Books appeal to a young reader's developing sense of humor and help them create positive associations with books.

• Sharing books about a toddler's favorite things is a great way to keep them motivated about books.

For Phonological Awareness:

• Song Books that contain simple, familiar songs are good choices and toddlers will appreciate songs with multiple verses.

• Noise Books are a great way for toddlers to practice imitating animal noises and making language sounds.

• Rhyming Books like Mother Goose and sharing poetry with children are some of the best ways to build phonological awareness. One rhyme per page works well for toddlers.

For Vocabulary:

• Picture Books build vocabulary because they have more "rare" words than our casual conversation. For instance, the nappers in the "Napping House" are not just sleeping; they are dozing, cozy, snoring, and dreaming.

• Non-Fiction Books are amazing vocabulary builders!

• ABC Books are often full of objects to name and tings to discuss. Younger children will need simpler pictures to be successful.

For Narrative Skills:

• Repetitive Books help children practice predicting what comes next in a story.

• Different versions of familiar folktales helps make children aware of the basic structure of a story.

• Wordless and Nearly Wordless Books let children tell stories in their own words.

For Print Awareness:

• Labeled Picture Books help children make the connection between the words they know and the print on the page.

• Heavy Cardstock Books help toddlers transition form board books.

• Large Print and Simple Text Books that are surrounded by white space help children see the words being read.

For Letter Knowledge:

• ABC Books that are clean and simple so toddler can focus on the letter shape helps build letter knowledge skills.

Search-and-find Books give children a chance to practice differentiating between shapes and objects. Make sure the books are not too tough.

What Babies Like In Books

What Babies Like In Books (0 - 2 Years of Age)

• Board books with photos of babies

• Books with bold, clear pictures of familiar items in baby's world

• Books with rhythm and repetition

• Books with textures or touch-and-feel books

• Books with animal sounds

• Lullaby books

For Print Motivation:

• Touch-and-Feel Books engage multiple senses, making read-aloud time more interactive and more fun!

• Photo Books with large clear images of baby faces because babies love to look at other babies! This is a great way to help them focus on the page.

• Activity or Object Books that are primarily lists make it easy to read as many or as few pages as hold a baby's interest, keeping storytime a positive experience.

For Phonological Awareness:

• Song Books that contain simple, familiar songs are a great way to help them hear the smaller sounds in words.

• Noise Books that celebrate noises all around give babies practice in listening to the sounds of our spoken language.

• Rhyming Books with one rhyme per book are best for babies. Reading Mother Goose books and sharing poetry with children are some of the best ways to build phonological awareness skills.

For Vocabulary:

• Word Books offer great opportunities for describing objects to babies adding more words to their vocabularies.

• Hearing Words Repeated in context is one way babies learn new words.

• Song Books that list or name objects (Head Shoulders Knees and Toes or Old MacDonald Had a Farm) are one way to introduce new words to babies.

For Narrative Skills:

• Short and Simple stories about daily routines begin to introduce young listeners to how stories work.

• Photo Books of objects surrounded by plenty of white space allow children to focus on one item while you describe it.

• Question and Answer Books help introduce babies into the patterns of spoken language.
  

For Print Awareness:

• Cloth Books allow even the youngest babies to explore books and learn how they work.

• Large Print Books make it easy to point to the text on the page as you read, which helps babies begin to learn that print carries meaning.

• Repeated Words, Word Bubbles, or Words Incorporated into the Illustrations also make it easy to point to the text on the page as you read.

For Letter Knowledge:

• ABC Books for babies and young toddlers should have very simple letter shapes to minimize distractions.

• Shape Books will help young toddlers establish a strong foundation in shape recognition.

• Opposite Books will start building their ability to tell shapes and later letters apart.

Quick Early Literacy Tips for Parents & Caregivers

Early Literacy Tips for Parents & Caregivers

Getting stuck giving Early Literacy Tips to Parents and Caregivers during storytime?

You feel like you don't know what to say or feel like your tips are too wordy?

Give these quick tips a try!

For Babies (0 - 2 years of age):

Print Motivation (Love Books): The interest in and enjoyment of books and reading

• "Babies have short attention spans. Unless your baby really wants to, you don't have to read for more than 2 - 3 minutes at a time."

• "Keep the reading sessions short and fun! When they lose interest, go on to another activity and read more later."

• "Babies and toddlers who grow up with books around them become more motivated to learn to read."

• "Keep books everywhere -- in the diaper bag, in the car, in their bedrooms, all over the house."

Phonological Awareness (Play with Sounds): Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words

• "Hearing and making animal sounds helps your child hear different kinds of sounds in language."

• "Babies can start to tell the difference between sounds, which helps them hear the smaller sounds in words."

• "Songs have a note for every syllable, so when you sing songs to your baby, you're helping them hear that words can 'come apart' into syllables."

• "Understanding 'parts of words' will help them sound out words they are ready to learn to read."

Vocabulary (Learn New Words): Knowing the names of things

• "Sing song like 'Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes' and point to the body parts as you sing them."

• "Active songs like 'Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes' are a great way to increase vocabulary!"

• "Talk to your baby and toddler all the time -- even before they can answer you!"

• "The more words a child hears, the bigger their vocabulary will be. The more words they know, the easier it is to recognize words when they start to read."

Narrative Skills (Tell Stories): Being able to describe things and events, and tell stories

• "Talk about what you're doing, out loud, while you're doing it."

• "Understanding how stories work helps with reading comprehension when they start to read. Tell stories often and your baby or toddler will soak up your words and start learning about how stories work!"

• "When your baby babbles at you, say something back! Then pause and wait for an answer."

• "Don't worry if your child can't say anything back, or that you're not understanding each other -- your baby is learning how conversations work."

Print Awareness (Use Books): Knowing how to handle books, noticing print all around us

• "Children love their own names!"

• "Write their name on the pictures they draw, then put your finger under the letters and say their name out loud. This will help them start to learn that print represents the words they hear."

• "In order to start learning how books work, babies need to be able to play with them."

• "Keep some board books in the toy box and let them use all their senses to explore them -- touching, seeing, and even tasting!"

Letter Knowledge (Know Letters): Knowing the names, sounds, and shapes of the letters

• "Let your child explore different shapes, different textures, different tastes. Talk to them about what is the same and different."

• "Practicing figuring out what is the same and what is different will help them later when they try to figure out all the letters of the alphabet."

• "Being able to tell letters apart is basically a shape recognition skill."

• "Talk about shapes with your baby! Tell them that their rattle is round or that their book is square. You are helping them get ready to learn their letters!"

For Toddlers (2 - 3 years of age):

Print Motivation (Love Books): The interest in and enjoyment of books and reading

• "We are important role models to our children. They want to do the things they see us doing!"

• "Let them see you reading -- tell them when you're reading recipes, or grocery lists, or magazines, or e-mails."

• "Spend time everyday reading and experiencing books with your child!"

• "Always keep it positive and fun. If your child gets restless, just put the book aside and come back to it later."

Phonological Awareness (Play with Sounds): Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words

• "Play a rhyming game of 'I Spy' with your child -- 'I spy something that rhymes with sock'."

• "Playing games with rhymes helps children get ready to read."

• "We know that kids who know some nursery rhymes by heart have an easier time learning to read. This is because rhyming is one way kids learn to hear the smaller parts of words."

• "Check out a Mother Goose collection and read one or two rhymes every day!"

Vocabulary (Learn New Words): Knowing the names of things

• "As you're reading to your child talk about words that may be unfamiliar by giving a simple definition."

• "A big vocabulary is a big help when it comes time to learn to read!"

• "Ask your child lots of questions that don't have a 'yes' or 'no' answer. These are called 'open-ended' questions and they give toddlers a chance to use all the words they hear for themselves."

• "Ask your child to 'use their words' instead of just pointing to an object or picture."

Narrative Skills (Tell Stories): Being able to describe things and events, and tell stories

• "When your child tells you something, ask them lots of questions that don't have a 'yes' or 'no' answer. These are called 'open-ended' questions, and they give young children a chance to build their storytelling skills."

• "When you're playing with your child, describe their toys for them -- 'This ball is round, blue, and bouncy.' or 'This teddy bear is brown and soft'."

• "Being able to describe things helps build comprehension skills."

• "Encourage your child to tell their own stories!"

Print Awareness (Use Books): Knowing how to handle books, noticing print all around us

• "Be silly! Sometimes when you read with your child, hold the book upside down or backward and see if your child notices."

• "If your child does not know the proper way to hold a book and turn the pages -- talk about it."

• "Point out the words on a cereal box and signs on the street to your child, so they become aware that print is all around us!"

• "Write their name on the pictures they draw, then put your finger under the letters and say their name out loud. This will help them start to learn that print represents the words they hear."

Letter Knowledge (Know Letters): Knowing the names, sounds, and shapes of the letters

• "ABC books are a great way to share letters with your child."

• "Look for ABC books with big, clear letters, and simple pictures."

• "The most important letter to a child is the first letter of his or her name!"

• "Look for a child's first letter in their name and point it out anywhere you might find it -- in books, on signs, or on cookies!"

For Preschoolers (4 - 5 years of age):

Print Motivation (Love Books): The interest in and enjoyment of books and reading

• "To really help your preschooler get excited about books, bring home books about the things they love and are interested in."

• "Have your child say repeated phrases with you as you read -- like 'just right' in Goldilocks or 'chicka chicka boom boom'."

• "This helps get them involved in the story, which makes reading more fun and enjoyable for them."

Phonological Awareness (Play with Sounds): Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words

• "Kids love their own names! Have your child help you think of other words that start with the same sound as the first letter in their name -- like for Megan; Milk, Moon or Mug."

• "When you hear your preschooler use a cool new word, clap it out with them -- clap once for every syllable."

• "Clapping out the syllables in words helps your child learn to hear them, which will help them sound out words when they're ready to read."

Vocabulary (Learn New Words): Knowing the names of things

• "Reading books together is a great way to expand your child's vocabulary, since children's picture books have more 'rare' words in them than regular conversation."

• "When you're talking with your preschooler, look for opportunities to use different words to help build their vocabulary."

• "To help build their vocabulary, instead of saying 'car', you might say 'SUV', 'convertible', 'pick up truck', 'station wagon', or 'limo'."

Narrative Skills (Tell Stories): Being able to describe things and events, and tell stories

• "Being able to tell stories is a skill that helps children understand what they're reading."

• "After you read a story together a few times, let your child 'read' it to you!"

• "When children understand how stories work, it helps their comprehension when they read."

• "Use things you have around the house as props while reading a story. Then let your child play with the props -- this helps your child remember the story and retell it by themselves!"

Print Awareness (Use Books): Knowing how to handle books, noticing print all around us

• "Learning to write and learning to read go hand in hand. Making little books with your preschooler is a powerful way to help them learn about print."

• "Have your child draw pictures, then write down the story they tell you, and read it back to them!"

• "Every now and then while you're reading a book to your child, run your finger under the words of the title or words that repeat. This helps your child learn you are reading the words on the page, and not the pictures."

Letter Knowledge (Know Letters): Knowing the names, sounds, and shapes of the letters

• "Children learn better when they are interested in something."

• "If your child loves princesses talk about the letter P. If you have Batman fans at home, draw the letter B for them on a piece of paper."

• "Kids learn best by playing, not by flashcards, workbooks, or quizzes."

• "Look for ways to play with letters -- keep foam letters in the bathtub and magnetic letters on the fridge. Draw letters with sidewalk chalk or make them out of play dough!"

Helpful Websites

Here's a list of websites to check out:

Born to Read

www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/initiatives/borntoread/index.cfm

Through Born to Read, libraries partner with local health care providers and other community agencies to provide new and expectant parents with library cards, reading materials, incentives, and resources to help them raise children who are “Born to Read”.

Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy

www.clel.org

Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy is passionately committed to strengthening children’s literacy through library services and community advocacy.

ELSIE: Early Literacy Storytime Ideas Exchange

www.hclib.org/BirthTo6/ELSIE.cfm

Search ELSIE to find books that help children develop the early literacy skills necessary for learning success. Presentation notes show how to emphasize skills in a fun, interactive story sharing experience.

Every Child Ready to Read @ your Library

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/ecrr/index.cfm

Every Child Ready to Read is a joint project of the Public Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children that seeks to incorporate “the latest research into a series of parent and caregiver workshops to provide public libraries with vital tools to help prepare parents for their critical role as their child’s first teacher.”

Healthy Minds: Nurturing Your Child’s Development

http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_par_parenthandouts

Developmental milestones handouts produced by Zero to Three organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Hummingbird Educational Resources

www.hummingbirded.com

This site is filled with preschool themes and storytime extension activities.

Important Milestones

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/parents_pdfs/MilestonesChecklists.pdf

Developmental checklists at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. The checklist information is from Caring For Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, by Steven Shelov and Robert E Hannermann (American Academy of Pediatrics).

National Association for the Education of Young Children

www.naeyc.org

“The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8.”

National Institute for Early Education Research

http://nieer.org/

“The National Institute for Early Education Research supports early childhood education initiatives by providing objective, nonpartisan, information based on research. The goal of NIEER is to produce and communicate the knowledge base required to ensure that every American child can receive a good education at ages three and four.”

National Network for Childcare: Fingerplays Plus

www.nncc.org/literacy/fingplus.html

“In this collection, we have included fingerplays with a variety of concepts and movements. We have also included some suggestions for related activities. Children learn best when they can experience or practice new concepts in several different ways. We hope these fingerplays and verses will become favorites.”

Reach Out and Read

www.reachoutandread.org

“Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a national non-profit organization that promotes early literacy by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud in pediatric exam rooms across the nation.”

Reading Is Fundamental

www.rif.org

Reading Is Fundamental offers resources, prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most.

Reading Rockets

www.readingrockets.org

“Reading Rockets is a national multimedia project offering information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help.”

Zero To Three

www.zerotothree.org

“ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.”