Board Books for 2-4

Board books for 2-4 year old children have always been a favorite of mine. It’s not just the colorful pictures and charming stories that I love, but they bring back memories of when my children were young and would crawl up onto my lap for story time. We would read together, as their beautiful chubby fingers turned the pages.

I have chosen some delightful books to highlight. These little board books are just the right size for tucking into stockings.

Duck & Goose It’s Time for Christmas by Tad Hills is an amusing story, like all Duck & Goose books. Duck and Goose are taking a walk in the Snow, and Duck says, “Goose, it is not time for catching snowflakes.” Then no, it is not time for sledding, or making snow angels, or throwing snowballs, or building a snowgoose, or skating, or building snow forts. What is it time for? It is time for Christmas!

I met the author of the charming Duck & Goose books at the Cincinnati Books by the Banks, book festival, in October.  He is quite charismatic, and besides being a talented author, he is the fabulous illustrator of the books.

I’m Not Santa!, written and illustrated by Jonathan Alan, begins on Christmas Eve. Baby Owl was sledding in the snowing woods and thinking about how quiet the woods were in winter, when Baby Hare called, “Santa, it’s you!”  Baby Owl said, “Don’t be silly.”  Baby Hare thought Baby Owl was Santa because Baby Owl was wearing a red hat with white fur just like Santa. And so the story proceeds with Baby Hare finding more and more reasons why Baby Owl is Santa, and with each reason, Baby Owl declares he is not Santa.  Each becomes more upset with the other, until Santa himself appears.  I’m Not Santa! will surely have your little ones chuckling as these two adorable little animals argue over who is Santa. Additionally, the delightful illustrations will be loved by all.

The boldly illustrated That’s Not My Snowman…his hat is too soft by Fiona Watt is a touchy-feely book. The snowman’s hat is too soft, his scarf is too fluffy, and his mittens too fuzzy.  The snowman’s buttons are too bumpy and his arms are two wiggly, but his nose is so squishy. Babies and toddlers will enjoy the bright colors and varied textures in this entertaining board book.

No list of board books is complete without a book by author and illustrator Eric Carle. Carle’s only Christmas book Dream Snow introduces us to a farmer who lives on a small farm, with a few animals – five to be exact. Their names are One, Two, Three, Four, and Five. Near the barn, a small tree grows, appropriately named Tree. The farmer feeds his animals every day, and cleans their stalls.  When his work is done, he goes home and prepares the same meal he always has, as he sits in his favorite chair. The farmer falls asleep and dreams of snowflakes covering him with a white blanket. When the farmer awakens, he sees a world filled with snow, not dream snow, but real snow.  Suddenly the farmer cries out, “Oh my! Oh my! I almost forgot.”  You and your little ones will enjoy finding out what the farmer almost forgot. The pages are attractively illustrated in bright colors in the trademark style of Eric Carle.

Mouse’s First Christmas, written by Lauren Thompson and illustrated by Buket Erdogan is purely a delightful book. One snowy day Mouse and Papa go out to play in the snow. Poppa went sledding and Mouse said, “I can do that, too!” And he did. Poppa went skating, and Mouse said, “I can do that, too!” And he did.  Everything from making a snow angel to building a snow mouse, if Poppa could do it, so could Mouse. Absolutely charming, this is a book that every parent will enjoy reading to his or her little ones.  The beautiful illustrations with lots of bright colors and characters that children will delight in makes this book a must buy for the youngest readers.

Clubhouse Christmas by Susan Americaner, is a book that fans of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse will love.  This colorfully illustrated story has peek-a-boo pages to entertain as well as pictures of everyone’s favorite Clubhouse characters.  Everyone in the Clubhouse is busy getting ready for Christmas.  Minnie is baking cookies, Goofy popping popcorn to string.  Everyone has a job to do.  This is one of those books you will be asked to read over and over again.

All books can be found at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and most indie bookstores.

Have you found a book you would like to gift to your favorite little one? Have you and your child read a book you both loved? Are you aware of any terrific new Christmas book for any age child?  Please share your thoughts and book suggestions below.