Picture Books-Great Baby Shower Gift!

“I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.” ~Anna Quindlen

Every nursery should have a shelf of the best picture books.

Isn’t this wall of books from Frugal With a Flourish amazing?

The next time you are invited to a baby shower-think about giving one, two or more of these treasures as your gift.

The next time you host a baby shower-think of having a Book Shower!

I LOVE PICTURE BOOKS!
Because I am a School Library Media Specialist-I KNOW PICTURE BOOKS!

And hey….you don’t have to wait for a shower to give a book to a child!

Sometimes the best reason to give a child a book is “Just because I want you to have one!!!”
Read on…I will share some of my recommendations for some of the best picture books as well as some links to great book lists.

One of my favorite little girls took me to lunch for my birthday last week! (Thanks Tulla)
I had a copy of this book (What Do You Do With A Tail Like This?) in my gift cupboard. So I took it to lunch to give to her.

Tulla: “But it’s not my birthday, so I don’t get a present!”

I gave it to her anyway….and when the wait for our lunch got kind of long-we had the best time reading together!

Cost: 99 cents
Value: Priceless
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The book section is always my first stop in a thrift store!
I shop with an eye for CONDITION…and I am often rewarded with some great finds.
My daughter shopped my gift closet last week to add these 2 books to the other books she was giving as a shower gift.

The idea is to pick books that are a little unique.

You can never go wrong with classic Mother Goose or Nursery Rhymes!

Sweetwater Style Top Ten Picture Books You Might Not Know!

Caps For Sale-Esphyr Slobodkina
This classic book, first published in 1938, still holds the attention of little one with it’s repetition and humor.

Harry The Dirty Dog-Gene Zion

When Harry sees the scrub brush and knows he is going to get a bath, he runs away! After many adventures, he returns home unrecognizable as a “white dog with black spots”. He is glad to have his bath so that his family knows it is really him!

The Day the Babies Crawled Away-Peggy Rathman

The sing song text and delightful pictures make this book a fabulous read a loud. Children delight in finding the tiny shadow images on each page as they follow the hero along as he “Saves the babies”!

The Snowy Day-Ezra Jack Keats

Peter’s simple adventure after the snow falls is completely delightful. This book (and any other by author Keats) has the added bonus of a wonderful child of color as a protagonist.

Make Way For Ducklings-Robert McCloskey

When Mom and Dad Duck need to find a place to lay their eggs, they discover the Pond in the Boston Public Garden with the giant Swan Boats. Although the book was written in the 1940’s, it still has great charm. Older children find it fun to do an internet search and see the bronze statues of these famous ducklings.

The Napping House-Audrey Wood

This cumulative tale is a hilarious read. The silly pictures grow more preposterous on every page.

Kitten’s First Full Moon-Kevin Henkes

Even non-cat people will fall in love with the sweet little cat in this simple, almost wordless book.

My Friend Rabbit-Eric Rohmann

Rabbit is one of those friends…..great ideas, but sometimes a bit troublesome! Everyone will giggle at the illustrations showing trouble brewing when Rabbit says “Not to worry Mouse-I’ve got an idea!”

Alphabet City-Stephen T. Johnson

One of my all time favorite alphabet books. The graphic nature of the illustrations and the unique words make this out of the ordinary.

The Story About Ping-Marjorie FlackPing is a little duck who lives on the Yangtze River. When he runs away to avoid a spanking, he finds many adventures and some danger. All is well by the end when Ping realizes that being home is best of all.

These are just my suggestions.

Here are links to other lists that might be of interest to you!

100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know (New York Public Library)

Caldecott Winners and Honor Books

Children’s Book Guide Top 100

The Good Stuff Guide-25 Best Picture Books

I would love to have you add your favorite read aloud title in a comment so we can all share.

Have YOU read to YOUR kid today?