Barbara Frum District Blog

I received an invitation to a baby shower recently that requested that we each bring a favorite childhood book as a gift for the new baby. I thought this was a lovely idea, but how could I choose just one book from a list of the hundred favourites in my head? I decided to enlist the help of my four year old, which resulted in the removal of every single book from her bookshelf and the reading of all of her old and new favourites. She was very sure of what the baby would like, and we chose books that she thought the baby would enjoy right away. We settled on two books:

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox: The combination of Mem Fox’s writing and Helen Oxenbury’s illustrations make this one of the sweetest children’s books around. I’ve read this one to my daughter since birth and she still loves it today.

Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boyton (or any book by Sandra Boyton): I love Sandra Boyton. Every book she writes is a delight. The text is simple, the pictures are cute, and they are very funny. Some of the Boyton books are even available as Apps for Apple and Android devices which really make the books come to life.

Here are some other books that were in our top ten. Most of these are available to place holds on, but each Toronto Public Library branch also has a collection of board books that are not in the catalogue. That is where you will find many of the Sandra Boynton titles, as well as other favourites in the tougher baby friendly format:

Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell: Lift the flaps and see what animals the zoo has sent the young child in this story. Cute, with a simple story.

Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathman: This almost wordless picture book is fabulous – try telling a different story each night, and when they’re older let them make one up.

Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion: This is one of the books that I remember taking out over and over again from the library as a child, and I never get sick of reading it. My daughter loves it too, and she was sure that any baby would be happy to listen to it.

Same Same by Marthe Jocelyn: Find the similarities in the objects and creatures in the colourful illustrations, or make up your own story to go along with the pictures.

Sing a Song of Mother Goose by Barbara Reid: Every child needs a book of nursary rhymes and this is a delightful collection illustrated in Reid's signature style with scenes made of plasticine and photographed.

The Splendid Spotted Snake by Betty Anne Schwartz: As you turn each page in this magic ribbon book the snake gets bigger and bigger, and he gets more spots in varying colours. Available only as reference at TPL, but worth taking a look at. 

Time for Bed by Mem Fox: My daughter used to request this book every single night. It’s beautifully written and the illustrations are lovely. It’s a simple concept – animals saying goodnight to their little ones, and the rhyming rhythmic text makes it perfect for bedtime.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle: This classic book is still one of my daughter's favourites. This one can easily be made interactive with a little stuffed caterpillar toy – my daughter used to love making the little caterpillar eat all of the food.