book review – baby to toddler

There are so many books to choose from these days it's hard to know which ones your child will want to listen to over and over again. And, it's a bonus to choose a book that you don't get bored with, and will hopefully teach your child something along the way. 

I’m starting with these books that my little one has loved over and over again. 


Faces (Baby's Very First Book) 
by John Fordham

Description: Following on from the hugely successful PETS and FARM, this well-researched cloth book has been developed to appeal to babies from birth. The mix of high-contrast images, crinkly pages and mirror will stimulate baby's senses and make this a perfect first introduction to books. Babies love looking at faces and will find the friendly animal images and patterns fascinating. The book also has a strap, so it can be attached to cots or buggies, and very simple text to help parents discuss the images with baby. It's never too early to give baby the gift of books.

Personal Thoughts: The mix of high-contrast images, crinkly pages and a mirror make this a perfect introduction to books. 
Get your copy with Hive Store - http://ow.ly/lbjz0

That's Not My Tiger...
by Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells

Description: This is a relatively new title in the groundbreaking "That's not my..." series, which is an award winning series shortlisted for the British Book Industry Stora Enso Award for Design and Production. It combines bright, colourful illustrations with a variety of different textures to touch and feel on each page. It helps very young children develop important language and sensory skills. The series awarded 'Best Buy' by the readers of "Prima Baby" magazine.

Personal Thoughts: My little one is now 3 and already interested in longer books and stories but still loves this book. The book is beautifully made and illustrated, fun and easy to memorise. A great choice!
Get your copy with Hive Stores: http://ow.ly/lbkhZ 


Dive in, Ducky! (Chatterboox)
By Annie Kubler

Description: Ducky's in the bath, and ready for a chat! There's a ready-made rhyming conversation in the book, and you can make up your own as well! Talking with your baby fosters the early development of basic language and communication skills, and promotes emotional closeness and well being.

Personal Thoughts: Babies love to chatter with their toys and in this book, you can make the puppet talk back. Great to encourage children in their speaking and listening.
Get your copy with Hive Store - http://ow.ly/lbjhO 

Lost and Found 
By Oliver Jeffers

Description: From the rising star of children's picture books comes the magical tale of friendship and loneliness, a boy and a penguin. There once was a boy...and one day a penguin arrives on his doorstep. The boy decides the penguin must be lost and tries to return him. But no one seems to be missing a penguin. So the boy decides to take the penguin home himself, and they set out in his row boat on a journey to the South Pole. But when they get there, the boy discovers that maybe home wasn't what the penguin was looking for after all... 

Personal Thoughts: A thoughtful and beautifully-illustrated tale of friendship. A simple story and more fantastic discoveries every time they read it. Wonderful. I’ve even seen a short story illustration of this which my little one adored since reading.
Get your copy with Hive Store - http://ow.ly/lbjK0 

All Aboard
by Corinne Albaut

Description: The train has left! Where is it going? Under the road, through the forest, past the sea, through fields of sheep, up and down hills...Children will love twisting and turning this fabulous toddler card paperback book as they follow the train on its journey, guessing where it will go next and following all the different characters in the carriages from one spread to the next.

Personal Thoughts: This is a quirky little story about a train journey. The text is simple and clear and the pictures are lovely. I really liked the way the direction of some of the pages changed, so you turn the book around as you read it -- it keeps things interesting for the very young listener.
Get your copy with Hive Store: http://ow.ly/lbkBS 

The Tiger Who Came to Tea 
by Judith Kerr

Description: This classic story of Sophie and her extraordinary tea-time guest has been loved by millions of children since it was first published over 30 years ago. Now a new generation will enjoy this beautiful reformatted edition! The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don't expect to see at the door is a big furry, stripy tiger! This modern classic picture book is perfect for reading aloud, or for small children to read to themselves time and again. All artwork has been re-originated and a fresh design approach has been used for this reformatted edition.

Personal Thoughts: There is something simple and compelling about the basic idea of having a tiger come to tea. It's hard to fill up a tiger, but he's such a great and unusual guest that the inconvenience doesn't matter. It's a bit dated, but in a pleasant, quaint way. A classic story that continues to capture children’s imaginations decades after it was written.
Get your copy with Hive Stores – http://ow.ly/lbjVm 

All of these books and many more can be found at Hive online who are recommended by NuVoBebe.com. Hive is where the two worlds of online purchasing and high street shopping collide. You love the ease and luxury of shopping online, but you don't want to see the bricks and mortar shops on the high street disappear. With Hive, every time you make a purchase you are supporting your local independent shop as well, just by continuing to do what you love - buying your books, eBooks, entertainment and stationery online. Happy days :-)