Book picks similar to
First Words by Jeanette Rowe


l-m-charlotte
library-reads
picture-books
storytime

Hippopposites


Janik Coat - 2010
    Simple pairings of words, both expected (small/large) and unexpected (clear/blurry), are humorously illustrated with a graphic and lovable red hippopotamus. Bold colors and surprising die-cuts and textures spice up this elegantly engaging board book. Praise for Hippopposites "Nicely done and a perfect gift, your favorite little one will love this book." —KIWI Magazine "This is a marvelous introduction to linguistic nuance for the very young." —The Wall Street Journal "A distinctive offering stands out in the crowded field of concept contenders." —Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW "French illustrator Coat blends a quirky sensibility with a slick visual aesthetic...it’s an excellent (and fun) vehicle through which to demonstrate the concept." —Publishers Weekly, starred review Award 2013 ALA/ALSC Notable Book

My Favorite Color


Aaron Becker - 2020
    But who said you can only have one? Open this gorgeous board book to find an ode to ever-changing colors, offering a spectrum of hues evoking the sun, the sea, clouds, and dew-dappled fruit. In colorful grids of small squares--some translucent inserts, some painted on the page--Aaron Becker uses layering to make colors shift and transition from spread to mesmerizing spread. As fun to look at as an alluring paint-chip display and as inspiring as an artful concept book can be, My Favorite Color promises to be a favorite, well-thumbed read and a prized art object in itself.

Ben Loves Bear


David McPhail - 2013
    After breakfast, they play hide-and-seek and do tricks to make each other laugh. At night, Ben tells Bear a bedtime story and Bear snuggles with Ben until he falls asleep. The youngest readers will relate to the loving bond between a little boy and his favorite stuffed animal and how this sweet friendship makes each day special, from morning till night. Praise for Ben Loves Bear STARRED REVIEWS "Theirs is a soft, comforting world of cereal and honey breakfasts, hide and seek, and quiet bedtime reading. McPhail’s quiet, pastelhued paintings ensure that readers will be glad to revisit Ben and Bear." —Publishers Weekly, starred review "Already a gifted artist, McPhail proves here that he intrinsically understands what the youngest readers want and need." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review "McPhail’s classic watercolor style creates a comfortable and warm atmosphere that will resonate with youngsters." —School Library Journal

The Itsy Bitsy Snowman


Jeffrey Burton - 2015
    Out came his friends to lend a happy hand. And everything was perfect in his winter wonderland. Little ones will love this fresh winter spin on a classic nursery rhyme, as one little snowman sleds through a winter wonderland.

Why The Face?


Jean Jullien - 2018
    Faces are presented first, allowing the reader to wager predictions of what may have prompted such an expression, before the dramatic answer is revealed. Why the face? reads the text alongside an agitated boy with eyes and nose scrunched up. Pick up the full-page flap to reveal a whole mess of smelly items, from stinky socks to an oozing trash can, and the text, Whoa, that stinks. Jullien masterfully provides enough clues for the reader to piece together the narrative, including both predictable and surprising scenarios. Based on young children's natural fascination with faces, this book encourages readers to practice empathy and build emotional intelligence, with cleverly simplified and humorously satisfying vignettes. A brilliant addition to Phaidon's growing Jean Jullien board book library.Ages 2-4

I'll Love You Forever


Owen Hart - 2017
    Throughout the journey, Polar Bear reassures Cub that no matter what changes occur in nature-snow falling in winter, flowers blooming in spring, air warming in summer, and leaves changing color in fall-the loving bond between them will never be broken.

Five Stinky Socks


Jim Benton - 2015
    I'll tell you why it stinks.I used it to wash dirty dishes in the kitchen sink.2 stinky socks. I found one in my shoe.It's black and white just like a skunk and smells as bad--pee-eww!Jim Benton, the international bestselling author and illustrator of Dear Dumb Diary, presents a clever, rollicking new board book program that will leave toddlers wide-eyed and laughing.Fans of Sandra Boynton will rejoice in this fresh line of funny stories!Each board book features: - Hilarious stories based on early concepts - Endearing characters- Young, bold, colorful artwork

The Do-Over Day: a children's book about surviving the worst day ever


Julia Inserro - 2019
    But some days are the worst! Sometimes everything just goes wrong: your little sister presses the elevator button first your favorite socks are missing you're not allowed to wear your mermaid costume to the dentist you can't wear your snorkel in the bathtub But how great would it be if we could learn how to have a good do-over day? Think of all the moaning and groaning and fussing and grumping we could avoid.The Do-Over Day is a great book for kids ages 3-9 and can teach us all how to handle the occasional worst day ever. It even comes with practice cards, so you can begin to have better do-over days, too.

Steam Train, Dream Train Colors


Sherri Duskey Rinker - 2016
    All aboard for a rainbow of train cars and their lively animal crew! Vivid colors and cozy rhyming text inspired by the bestselling Steam Train, Dream Train will make learning colors a rich experience for the smallest readers.

I Spy Little Bunnies


Jean Marzollo - 2001
    Search-and-find riddles paired with amazing photographs will captivate kids of all ages in the bestselling I Spy series.Filled with fun photos from the original I Spy series, the I Spy little board books build reading and recognition skills.Preschoolers can search for bunnies galore, as well as other intriguing toys and trinkets! Picture clues and rhyming riddles guide the youngest readers through the delightful puzzles.

Black Bird Yellow Sun


Steve Light - 2018
    As a solitary black bird wings its way through the day, little ones are treated to a magnificent flight from one vibrant color to another. Inimitable illustrator Steve Light showcases a new style in this board book for the youngest readers. Children can journey with the graceful black bird and its tiny worm friend past orange leaves, through green grass, onto gray rocks, under pink flowers, and more before coming to rest beneath a brilliant blue moon.

Look, Look!


Peter Linenthal - 1998
    . . all for baby's eyes to see. This sturdy board book, full of high-contrast black-and-white cut-paper art perfect for staring at, is just the thing for the eyes of the youngest babies. A few words in curving red type on each spread describe the scenes -- a car races, a cat stretches, flowers bloom-- and extend the book's age appeal so that it will be fascinating to older babies, too. Striking and stylish, Look Look! is the ideal first board book for babies just beginning to look and learn. Peter Linenthal is an illustrator who has taught art in elementary schools for twenty years.

So Many Feet


Nichole Mara - 2017
    The playful, rhyming main text offers some information, but is mostly fun to read aloud. The secondary text offers more facts about each animal and what makes its feet so unique. The book ends by asking children whether their feet can do all the things animals’ feet can do.

Pride Colors


Robin Stevenson - 2019
    The profound message of this delightful board book is you are free to be yourself; you'll always be loved.Celebrated author Robin Stevenson ends the book with an explanation of the meaning behind each color in the Pride flag.

Jump!


Tatsuhide Matsuoka - 2000
    Boing! A kitten jumps. Boi-ing! A dog jumps. Boiyyyyyyoiingg! . . . "And I jump too--BOING!" This joyful book gets children joining in the fun of each animal's jump--sharing the sounds and actions.