Sandra Boynton

Quite possibly the best books ever written for toddlers, Sandra Boynton has figured out the secret of little attention spans. Luca's favorite was Barnyard Dance, Court's is The Going To Bed Book and they can both quote Moo, Baa, La La La complete with sound effects.

City of Tranquil Light

City of Tranquil Light

by Bo Caldwell

This work of fiction was inspired by the lives of the author's maternal grandparents and follows the missionary journey of Will and Katherine in China, beginning in 1906.  I really enjoyed Caldwell's writing style and the alternating viewpoints used to tell the story of many courageous, wonderful and awful experiences. This book made me cry. That is high praise from me! "City of Tranquil Light" will make you look at "coincidence" and instead, see the hand of God.

Kiki & Coco in Paris

Kiki and Coco in Paris

by Nina Gruener, Stephanie Rausser and Jess Brown

Lovely photography follows a little girl and her doll through Paris. The Metro, the carousel at Sacré-Cœur, a quick snack at Café de Flore and other instantly recognizable scenes as well as some lesser known. "Just as Paris was made to sparkle, Kiki and Coco were made for each other."

Repeat Request by Luca, 4yrs
Also enjoyed by: Court, 22 mo.

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

 

by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld 

 

It rhymes, so it can't be unpleasant. And all of those happy faces and real construction terms like booms, stacks and grade (excepting the dreaded "cement mixer" which we simply replace with "concrete mixer" to make Daddy happy) make for a perfect little boy bedtime story. Both kids join in with the sound effects and the repeated "shhhhh, goodnight, goodnight" at the end of each page. 

 

Repeat Request by Court, Age 22mo.