The Benefits of Board Books
The Hot Off the Press Spotlight segment showcases new books from our current Hot Off the Press list to further assist parents, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and other book enthusiasts in finding engaging books for all types of readers.
Perhaps one of the more overlooked categories of books, board books are the perfect way to introduce reading to the littlest learners. Aside from the obvious benefits of children learning to associate the act of reading with pleasurable things—a warm lap, a caregiver’s undivided attention, the melodic sound of a beloved adult’s voice—there are other real takeaways from the experience. According to an article in School Library Journal, board books also instruct young children in the mechanics of reading, such as how a book is held and the pages are turned, and the frequent repetition of words is key for a child’s language development and word recognition. Though there is still work to be done as far as depicting minority populations, the increasing diversity of characters in board books is one way to introduce the very youngest readers to different cultures and people who may not look at them, while also tapping into the transformative power of mirroring underrepresented children. For some board books, check out these new titles from our June Hot Off the Press list.
Baby Faces: Little Lion, by Ekaterina Trukhan (Nosy Crow) — Animals, Concepts, Imagination / Play, ages 0-3.
Find your baby’s face in this delightful new lift-the-flap book with a mirror on every page! One thing is for sure—babies love mirrors! This series of board books aims to enhance early mirror play as very young children will enjoy finding their own face on every page. Featuring large card flaps with friendly animals which are easy for even the littlest hands to grab, babies will enjoy reaching for these books again and again. Scan the QR code on the back cover to join in with the playful rhyming song based on the classic “Finger Family” rhyme!
Baby Faces: Little Owl, by Ekaterina Trukhan (Nosy Crow) — Animals, Concepts, Imagination / Play, ages 0-3.
Find your baby’s face in this delightful new lift-the-flap book with a mirror on every page! One thing is for sure—babies love mirrors! This series of board books aims to enhance early mirror play as very young children will enjoy finding their own face on every page. Featuring large card flaps with friendly animals which are easy for even the littlest hands to grab, babies will enjoy reaching for these books again and again. Scan the QR code on the back cover to join in with the playful rhyming song based on the classic “Finger Family” rhyme!
Big and Little: A Book of Animal Opposites, by Harriet Evans; illus. by Linda Tordoff (Tiger Tales Books) — Animals, Concepts, ages 0-3.
This follow-up to A to Z: An Alphabet of Animals features a pair of animals on each spread to introduce the concept of opposites in this fun lift-the-flap book.
Animals representing opposites such as big and little, light and heavy, quiet and loud, and more comparisons are hiding on each page of this fun lift-the-flap book, ideal for little hands! Children meet a variety of animals and bugs, from an owl and a turtle to bees and a chameleon, as they open the flaps to see the size comparisons of the animals. Introduce the early concept of opposites with adorable characters in an exciting hide-and-seek format.
Billy’s Birthday, written & illustrated by Mack van Gageldonk (Clavis) — Animals, Concepts, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, ages 0-3.
A happy book about a baby elephant’s birthday party. For toddlers ages 12 months and up, with a focus on the child’s daily life.
Mommy Elephant hangs up a beautiful garland because it’s Billy the baby elephant’s birthday. All his friends come to celebrate. Together, they eat cake and sing a birthday song. Hip, hip… hooray!
Did You Hear That?, by Antonio Vicente; illus. by Miguel Ordóñez (Brown Books Publishing Group / Michael Sampson Books) — Concepts, Family / Community, ages 0-3.
The first language is . . . sound!
From the rooster crowing to Grandma sneezing, Antonio Vicente’s playful words and Miguel Ordóñez’s iconic, vibrant illustrations depict a day filled with onomatopoeias that help little ones identify different experiences and emotions. Listen closely-you never know what you might hear next!
The Three Little Pigs, by Pavla Hanáčková; illus. by Shunsuke Satake (Albatros Books) — Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Animals, Concepts, ages 0-3.
Experience the classic fairy tale of the Three Little Pigs like never before in a board book for young readers shaped like scenes from the story.
Immerse yourself in the parable of the Three Little Pigs through a brilliantly designed board book. Shaped to depict scenes from the story, each page reveals a fresh setting, adding tactile and visual depth to this beloved tale of diligence and resilience that teaches children about the importance of hard work, planning, and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. Young readers will accompany the Three Little Pigs as they construct their homes, all while the ominous presence of the Big Bad Wolf lurks nearby, ready to attack.
For more great book suggestions, be sure to check out the full June Hot Off the Press list!
List compiled by CBC’s resident book connoisseur, Brooke Pisarsky. Check out other Hot Off the Press Spotlight book lists on our blog.
