(Purple Socks!)

Why We Love Boynton

If you’re a Little Sprout facebook fan you may have noticed that earlier this week I got excited that T wanted to be a part of B’s bedtime story. (If you’re not a facebook fan yet, go click that “like” button in the right sidebar!) This excites me for two reasons: First, as much as T likes to look at pictures, carry books around, and pet the touchy-feely ones, he hasn’t shown a whole lot of interest in stories up till now. Second, if they’ll both snuggle in and listen to a story, bedtime will be soooo much more pleasant and easier to handle. So yesterday, T brought me a book and willingly sat in my lap and listened to THE WHOLE THING! Which book did he find so intriguing, you ask? One of Mommy’s favorites too: Moo, Baa, La La La, by Sandra Boynton.

Irresistible! (And Good For You, Too!)


We have a wide selection of Boynton board books, because they are super fun to read AND have super developmental and literacy-building qualities. All (or at least all I’ve encountered) are rhyming and rhythmic, which help pre-readers memorize, predict, and become involved in the story. Just a few of our favorites (in no particular order):


Moo, Baa, La La La: T’s recent pick. As you can guess, the focus in this one is animal sounds, but some humor is infused by the 3 singing pigs. This contradiction adds both comedy and a cognitive challenge as babies and toddlers begin to process categorization and generalization.


Barnyard Dance: This one was actually B’s early favorite. Could have had to do with the fact that I usually read it with him on my lap and bounced along with the cadence of text and performed along with the motions of the dance with his little arms and legs. It is a great vocabulary development opportunity as well as a chance to work on fine motor skills. You can also read my full review and game suggestion.


But Not the Hippopotamus: This one is a series of couplets, each of which is punctuated by the line: “But not the hippopotamus.” Plenty of laughs in the actions and illustrations, and pre-readers will be chiming right in. Extra twist at the end for a giggle!


The Going to Bed Book: One of the best-loved books in our house. Was a nightly part of bedtime for B for a long time. Daddy actually memorized it after reading it so many times, so he was able to “read” it to B over the phone while away for work. Nice for rehearsal of bedtime routines, like bathing, tooth-brushing, and pajamas. After some mid-book silliness, the conclusion is peaceful and relaxing – just what a bedtime book should be.


Snoozers: Speaking of bedtime books – this one is a tabbed collection of bedtime selections. We often read the whole thing (it is after all, just a board book) but sometimes add just one of the little poems or mini-stories after finishing another book when B is asking for, “just ONE more???”


Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs: A fun romp with rhymes, opposites, and vocabulary, with great illustrations to go with the language!






Hippos Go Berserk: A count-up and count-down story for numbers and number-correspondence practice. Who could help but love a berserk hippo party in the middle?






Doggies: Also an early favorite of B’s. It’s a simple counting book, but as the dogs increase, so does the silliness of making all the different barking noises!

 
What’s Wrong Little Pookie: Little Pookie is a recurring character for Boynton, but this one is a favorite of mine because it is great for bringing out the giggles when we’re experiencing an unexplained funk. Pookie’s mommy tries a long list of suggestions to figure out his bad mood before he reveals he forgot what he was upset about to begin with – sound familiar?


Blue Hat, Green Hat: Anybody notice my post title is my favorite line from this book? B found it hilarious in toddlerhood. The animal characters put on items of clothing in various colors, but each time, the turkey puts his item on incorrectly, resulting in an “Oops!” I would read the text for the appropriately dressed animals, and B would respond with the “oops!” (which was sometimes difficult between belly laughs). At the end of the book, the turkey finally gets his clothes on correctly, and the purple socks appear, (which are not mentioned elsewhere) but he stands poised to dive into a pool fully clothed! Oops! More belly laughs. What is great about this one is that the pictures match the simple text exactly, so B has “read” it to me many times, and has tried to read it to T (despite T’s inattention). Now that T is showing a little more interest, I’ll have to encourage B again!

Are you a Boynton lover too? Do you have a favorite? Or is there another author that you just can’t get enough of? I’d love to hear about it!


Link up any book recommendations of your own and stop by and visit a few others!

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Feed Me Books Friday: Rags are Riches

Books without the Sharp Edges

I’ve got nothing against board books, hardbacks, or paperbacks, but there is something so soothing about literally cuddling up with a soft cloth book, also called rag books. When I was pregnant with my first child I bought books that he still hasn’t grown into, but I also found cushy-soft books that seemed just right for a delicate baby. B didn’t show too much interest in them; he preferred the bouncy rhythm of Boynton board books or stimulating touch-and-feels. The rag books mostly languished in the toy basket until T was born. T finds tearing paperbacks apart and flinging board books across the room entertaining, so the cloth books have suited him much better. He can wave, flap, pound, or chew them to his little heart’s content and the books (as well as my furniture, my nose, and my own books) are none the worse for wear. So today I’m sharing my favorites from the rag category.


The Attention Getter

Not much plot to follow in Sweet Dreams, from the creators of Taggies, but babies find plot overrated. There are three 2-page spreads featuring a kitty, a bunny, and a puppy. Each features a textured appliqué as well as a two-line wish good night. The unique feature of this book, however, is the addition of ribbon loops, or taggies, all around the edges of the page. Between the tags and the textures, this book is a tactile treat! T has given those taggies a real workout of tugs and twists, and they’ve held up beautifully.


The Classic Revisited

Pat the Bunny was a childhood favorite for me – I still have the worn, spiral bound copy my mom saved. It was important to me to share that particular book with my own baby, and as I went looking for it, I discovered many branches in the Bunny family tree. Pat the Bunny Sleepy Bunny is a rag book that follows the bedtime routine of the familiar Bunny. A ribbon tethers a 3 inch stuffed bunny to the spine of the book, so the reader can play-out the actions such as putting away toys or finding a book. The last page includes a cloth pocket on top of the bed illustration so the Bunny can be tucked-in to sleep. The illustrations are reminiscent of the classic, but I wish there were a little more interaction on the other pages – perhaps a pocket to tuck the toys in, or cloth flaps from which to choose the book. It would be more engaging and better development of dexterity. As a bedtime book, it fits the bill. The rehearsal of routine helps little ones anticipate their own approaching bedtime behaviors and prepares them to settle down for the night.


The Cognitive-Motor Combo


The favorite rag book of both of my boys has been Good Night Little Bear. It’s distributed by the Books are Fun company, and I purchased it from a display in the teacher’s lounge of my school before I was even pregnant. Bought one for our nephew and saved another for “the future.” It was a good investment. Little Bear is also on a ribbon tether to the spine of the book, but he has something to do on every page, and he even comes clad in removable red pajamas. This book is based on the same kind of cognitive routine rehearsal as Sleepy Bunny, but it includes more of the course of the day. Little bear plays, eats, washes, brushes his teeth, listens to a story, gets hugs from Mummy, and then tucks in bed on the last page like the Bunny. Each page has a pocket or flap to manipulate, which is great for motor development. Little Bear had a period of popularity with B when he transitioned to falling asleep in his big boy bed – it was a combination of a familiar story, a bit of a lovey, and a sense of control of the situation. T enjoys him more already - he is getting more and more adept at tucking him in the pockets with each reading.
Appropriate for: babies, toddlers


Did you or your children have rag books? Were they enjoyed or overlooked?
Please link up your recommendations for the week below!

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