Today's Featured Educational Book

Eating the Alphabet

by Lois Ehlert

For ages 1+ years

Eating the Alphabet
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Sometimes we all need inspiration on what else E could be for instead of elephants. Now you know - eggplant, silly. And K is for kiwi and kumquat and T is for turnip, of course. And we think there is no better way to get your tiny ones to love vegetables than to watch them squeal with glee when they turn the page that says B is for broccoli and beets and beans! Hooray! The illustrations are watercolors that are so gorgeous that they are literally mouthwatering. The mere sight of Ms. Ehlert's watermelon brightens up a January day for all of us. And using this wonderful little book to teach the alphabet as you push the young ones through the produce aisle or the local farmers' market sounds like a perfectly fresh idea to us.

FEATURED 123s BOOKS
Counting Kisses
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Counting Kisses

by Karen Katz

For ages 1+ years

What tired little baby do you know who needs a kiss? Yep, all of ‘em. Easiest counting trick in town - kiss your little one and count them while you smooch. This sunny, happy little book is an immediate bedtime classic, chronicling an entire family's efforts to kiss a sleepy baby good night, starting at her toes and ending on her sleepy, dreamy head. It is warm enough to be irresistible and yet lilting and easy enough to still encourage winding down (with a laugh or tickle or two along the way, of course). It is a charmer, and both your preschooler (who will be able to practicing counting down from 10, as that's the structure of the book) and his younger brother or sister will be drawn to it. And you? You'll adore it - like we said, the easiest trick in town.

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FEATURED BEHAVIOR AND EMOTIONS BOOKS
Hands Are Not for Hitting
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Hands Are Not for Hitting

by Martine Agassi

For ages 1+ years

This is one of those gems that nearly every preschool classroom we see has in the book corner, and yet many of us parents don't know of it. Teachers have clearly figured out that one of the most effective way to deal with a little one who can't yet help but take out his anger or frustration on the nearest somebody or something is to give him something else to do with his hands. Talking it out is great, but if your child isn't exactly ready for that (at least not in the heat of the moment), then maybe clapping it out or drawing it out or counting it out or waving it out is the way to go. Let this positive, encouraging book give you -- and much more importantly, your child -- some ideas, and then be prepare to feel like an insider when you see it work on the playground!

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FEATURED TRANSITIONS BOOKS
I Don't Want to Go to School
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I Don't Want to Go to School

by Weiss and Bennet

For ages 2+ years

The tough part of separating from parents is serious business (see The Kissing Hand if you need to dive right into the heavy stuff), but the truth is that for many kids, a wonderful preschool is amazingly fun and actually quite easy to jump right into. (It seems to always knock the parents out to see their wee little soldiers cross the classroom door, even if the little darlings never look back!) But whether it is before the first day in September or just after a long winter break or whatever, you'll likely be walloped at some point by a pair of soulful eyes telling you that they don't want to go to school. And this book is the perfect, light, engaging response. It is positive, engaging, and reassuring in the most upbeat way possible. It catalogs all the incredible things that a little one gets to do at school until the answer is clear: "I can't wait to get to school!" So, let's go!

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FEATURED CLASSICS BOOKS
Where the Wild Things Are
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Where the Wild Things Are

by Maurice Sendak

For ages

You of course remember this fabulous tale, but if you haven't read it in a few decades, you may be thinking it was dark or scary. It's not -- or at least we haven't met a child who thinks so. Mr. Sendak brilliantly recognizes that children are often far more comfortable with the wild things that stomp around their imaginations, roaring their terrible roars and gnashing their terrible teeth. It's grown-ups who seem to have most often forgotten the trick of taming these monsters (with their ever-so-slightly upturned mouths, you'll notice on this read) by telling them simply to "BE STILL!" and "staring into all of their yellow eyes without blinking once." And you simply must remind yourself of the beginning and end of this dreamlike tale -- you'll have a completely different perspective as a parent. Who knew that it was Max's mother losing her cool after all of his "mischief" and sending him to bed without supper that started this flight of fancy? And who knew that after the very long boat ride home to his room, his supper was waiting for him after all. "And it was still warm." Well, now you do. Read it again and share the delight.

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FEATURED COLORS AND SHAPES BOOKS
My Very First Book of Shapes
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My Very First Book of Shapes

by Eric Carle

For ages 1+ years

This is shape-matching game in the form of a board book, complete with Eric Carle's lovely watercolor collages. Each page is cut in half, with a shape and its name on the top half and a picture beneath, but all out of order, of course. The task is to match shapes to pictures. Once your little one has started to master shape recognition, she will enjoy practicing her new feat and showing off her prowess with this little volume.

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Savvy Spotlight: Chronicle Books Kids Travel Library

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