Best Children's Opposites Books
1 Cat
Cleverly designed pull tabs and flaps plus seven pettable textures and a push-button squeaker offer interactive treats that will have toddlers purring along from start to surprising finish. PreS—Van Fleet follows up the popular Tails (Harcourt, 2003) and Dog (S & S, 2007) with this interactive novelty book aimed at toddlers but photographed for cat lovers.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Our only issue is that the pull tabs that make the cat's paw move, kitten pop out of the boot, etc., are delicate and the moving cat parts aren't behind cellophane."
"I LOVE these books."
"My 19 month old loves cats so we got her this book."
"I ended up buying two of each-one dog book, one cat book - for each child. As for the actual kids who will "read" them,, these are sturdy, well made books with gorgeous photos and something happens- a texture, a sound, a pull-out- on every page."
"My daughter is captivated by the pictures and she also enjoys having the story read to her."
"I got this book for my youngest cousin who's about 4 or 5 and she really liked it!"
"It is sturdy and each page has activities on it (flaps, squeaky ball, fuzzy tails, ect)."
"I preordered this book for my daughter because she absolutely loves Van Fleet's "Dog" book, and I was hoping "Cat" would be just as good... my daughter and I were not disappointed! The book is listed for children ages 2 and up, but my daughter is 15 months and already enjoys pulling the tabs, petting the fur and flipping open the pages to reveal more cats."
2 Dog
From the #1 New York Times bestselling children’s book creator Matthew Van Fleet. On one page, a wheaton terrier (Little dog) is posed next to an English mastiff (Big dog) and a nervous-looking Chihuahua (Teeny dog quakes), while opposite, a neatly coiffed schnauzer backs away from a damp mutt in a tub and the verse finishes, Dry dog,/Wet dog–/shake,/shake,/shake! One spread reads: Happy dog,/Sad dog,/Friendly dog licks./Slobber dog,/Pant dog,/Drooly dog sticks!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My husband bought this book for our 4 year old (who is famous among everyone we know for being both a book lover and a dog lover), and it is, not surprisingly, one of her favorites. The book is, in fact, clever enough to engage my husband, myself, and our older children; even my college aged daughter is currently petting, pulling, and generally getting a kick out of this book as I write this review."
"There is a page that says "all dogs poop, all dogs pee" that upsets some people, but as someone who grew up on a farm (and has a family full of nurses) it's a super normal part of animal life that I don't find offensive at all."
"I LOVE these books."
"On the first day, she decapitated the dog who shakes his head and tore off the leg of the scratching dog!"
"My favorite children's book."
"This book has that and much more. We particularly like getting to meet each dog by name at the end of the book."
"Great book for my dog loving baby."
"I bought this for my granddaughter and now her sister is enjoying it."
Two fuzzy creatures can't agree on who is small and who is big, until a couple of surprise guests show up, settling it once and for all! Weyant, aNew Yorker cartoonist, draws two pudgy bearish creatures with bean-like noses—clearly the same species, but different in scale (and in color, it should be noted, though it never comes up).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"What I love about You Are (Not)Small by Anna Kang is that it taps into this touch point of childhood. With delightful illustrations by Christopher Weyant, it deftly and humorously, highlights that size is relative. This is an important lesson for children to learn: comparisons depend on the metric being used. Enjoy this book for its story, sense of humor and colorful illustrations. Gayle H. Swift, "ABC, Adoption & Me: A Multicultural Picture Book"."
"So cute!!!"
"It is a fun book to read with your child!"
"My three year old really likes this book."
"Really cute bedtime read."
"It's definitely a short, quick read so we went back through and looked at the pictures to make it more worthwhile."
"I loved that book it was funny and Hagar ."
"My daughter loves this cute book, good for explaining opposites and how all things are relative :)."
Best Literary Bibliographies & Indexes
For the last several years Adm. James Stavridis and his co-author, R. Manning Ancell, have surveyed over two hundred active and retired four-star military officers about their reading habits and favorite books, asking each for a list of titles that strongly influenced their leadership skills and provided them with special insights that helped propel them to success in spite of the many demanding challenges they faced. "…A very comprehensive list of books that should move, inspire, inform and educate both existing and prospective leaders. "It is a deeply thoughtful and thought-provoking book, food for all minds at whatever stage of leadership or aspiration wherever the reader has reached. "For any student of leadership, this book provides an excellent starting point for in-depth reading, along with a useful framework for continued study. The Leader's Bookshelf is a powerful collection of leadership lessons, drawn from outstanding works of literature, history, and biography. "Leadership in the world of business depends on life experiences, strength of personality, and innate qualities--but you can never stop learning. "I've been trading book recommendations with Admiral Jim Stavridis since we worked together in the Pentagon over a decade ago. The Leader's Bookshelf includes many books we've discussed together over the years, and taken together it is a powerful compendium at the heart of leadership."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"But this I knew: I loved books; he loved books; and while standing there, I thought of something he wrote that might prove that I, like him, believed that books are essential to our profession, if not our lives. In it, he said that his wife noticed that his love of books and his growing library had evolved into a “gentle madness.” That phrase—a “gentle madness”—refers to a wonderful book by author Nicholas Basbanes. Basbanes’ book—A Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books — is a long, discursive work: one part discussion of historic book culture in America and Britain, the other full of profiles of quirky and dedicated book lovers and collectors. In The Leader’s Bookshelf, they interviewed 200 four-star generals and flag officers, and from those discussions, they determined the 50 books that “stood out most…with top military readers.”. Using no particular scientific method, they rank ordered the books in descending order by the number of mentions. For each title, there is a short essay by a senior officer as to why they choose the book, followed by a quote from the book, a biography of the author, then a summary of the book by either Stavridis or Ancell, concluding with a few sentences about why the book is important for leaders today. It is these little-known reading recommendations that make books like this exciting. Ironically, the only criticism—or rather, observation—I have about the book is that senior officers still do not carve out enough time to read. And this in a book in which one of the early essays is about “Making Time for Reading.”. In one essay, a senior officer admits that while working in the Joint Staff that he only read one book in a year. One book! Nonetheless, The Leader’s Bookshelf will appeal to all types: The newbie looking for a good book to read and the bibliomaniac who may have read all 49 on the list and owns each first edition, but unaware, or didn’t realize there was just one more interesting title out there."
"Well written book from a past association."
"The diversity of fiction and non-fiction titles on the list provides variety to the reader, a much-needed quality for those tired of trawling through the rote talking points of conventional leadership books. Beyond the books themselves, the Leader’s Bookshelf provides advice on curating your own library, writing, publishing, and managing your intellectual development in the rigor of our busy lives."
"Outstanding selection of reading for those interested in military or other leadership roles."
"Brilliant author."
"Great synopsis of leadership book by military leaders."
"This is a great book to point you towards more great books!"
Best Children's Colors Books
Kids will be imagining their own humorous conversations with crayons and coloring a blue streak after sharing laughs with Drew Daywalt and New York Times bestseller Oliver Jeffers. This story is perfect as a back-to-school gift, for all budding artists, for fans of humorous books such as Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Sciezka and Lane Smith, and for fans of Oliver Jeffers' Stuck , The Incredible Book Eating Boy , Lost and Found , and This Moose Belongs to Me. Praise for The Day the Crayons Quit Amazon’s 2013 Best Picture Book of the Year. Move over, Click, Clack, Moo ; we’ve got a new contender for the most successful picture-book strike.” – BCCB , starred review. * “This colorful title should make for an uproarious storytime.” – School Library Journal , starred review. * “These memorable personalities will leave readers glancing apprehensively at their own crayon boxes.” – Publishers Weekly , starred review. The conceit is an enticing one, and although the crayons’ complaints are not entirely unique (a preponderance centers around some variation of overuse), the artist’s indelible characterization contributes significant charm. A final spread sees all things right, as Duncan fills a page with bright, delightful imagery, addressing each of the crayons’ issues and forcing them into colorful cooperation.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"That's because I used them to light the fire used to heat all the food you dropped on the floor during dinner and then fed it to your little sister because, as you know, we don't waste food around here. No matter your age, you will identify with the characters, they will probably remind you of your family, your coworkers and your friends. In case you're wondering, some of my other favorites are: The Three Little Pigs, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Small Pig, Where the Wild Things Are, I Want My Hat Back, Pete The Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, We're Going on A Bear Hunt, The Cat in the Hat."
"She loves to have books read to her, but this is one of the only times my short-attention-span kid has asked for the same book twice in a row and the first time a book as inspired such a burst of creativity."
"Our older grandsons have a lot of fun voicing the letters written by "Red", who even has to work on holidays (i.e. coloring Santas, Valentines), "Purple" is going to "completely lose it" if Duncan doesn't start coloring inside of the lines soon, "Beige" (who is "BEIGE and PROUD!"). ), who claims to be very happy with his work, congratulates Duncan on his coloring career, but wants to inform him of the bickering between "Yellow" and "Orange" over who gets to be the color of the sun, with "Yellow" and "Orange" writing separate letters each stating their case along with documented proof, "Blue" is overworked and now just a stub who can't even see over the box railing any longer, "Pink" believes she's experiencing discrimination because she's "a girls' color", while "Peach" is completely unwrapped ("I don't even have any underwear!"). But the amazingly colorful picture Duncan creates - allowing each crayon to stretch beyond their typical usages - ends up earning him an A for coloring and an A+ for creativity!"
"My young one loves it and frequently asks for the "crayon book" but the humor is perfect for older kids and parents too."
"Gave this to my four-year-old great niece who loves to draw, for Christmas."
"Awe a book that is simply close to my heart."
"Great book."
Best Children's Time Books
A snack at 9:00, a nap at 10:00, sneaking onto the forbidden chair at 11:00--telling time is the only way Big Mama Cat can remember all the important things she has to do. Her proprietary interest in the goings-on of her domain are manifest in her awareness of the humans' schedule, from the morning rituals of baby feedings and the school bus to the family's evening routine of dinner and a bedtime story. The simple, consistent arrangement of text and pictures on each page gently frames the humor and perfectly captures the everyday dramas of naptime and tea parties.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Arrived in great shape & really like the story/clock as teaching tool for our granddaughter."
"My class loves this book.."
"The kids loved it."
"They remind me of books from my childhood-- the artist makes beautiful illustrations of the cat's day."
"Easy to read and perfect way to teach your kids!"
"Telling Time with Big Mama Cat has a clock on every page!"
"Quick teacher of teaching how to tell time."
Best Children's Word Books
From the can-opening Zans to the boxing Gox to the winking Yink who drinks pink ink, the silly rhymes and colorful cast of characters create an entertaining approach to reading that will have every child giggling from morning to night: “Today is gone. Children today will be as entranced by these ridiculous rhymes as they have been since the book's original publication in 1960--so amused and enchanted, in fact, they may not even notice they are learning to read!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Who doesn't love Dr. Seuss?"
"My son loves these books, and read them well!"
"This is a classic favorite book in our family."
"Wonderful book, and great for beginning readers."
"My 3 year old granddaughter loves it."
"We think these books should be numbered so people can know which book should be read first."
"Enter "I Can Draw It Myself, By Me, Myself", and two other interactive Seuss books - such wonderful ways for my older grandchild to entertain himself and stretch his creativity and imagination while I'm focused on the younger! We've collected every Seuss children's book, but there are three books in particular that we ordered two copies of, because they can be personalized by our little guys to make them truly "their own"! This one is just great... each page has colorful Seuss drawings that are incomplete, with his typical whimsical rhymes accompanying them, and your youngster "completes" the drawings him/herself!"
"I grew up reading Dr. Suess so I am overjoyed to be able to read his books to my son."
Best Children's Alphabet Books
The complete edition of the bestselling children’s favorite, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom , is now available as a Classic Board Book! Bill Martin Jr (1916–2004) has been called “America’s favorite children’s author.” He wrote more than 300 books for children, including the classic texts Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Our 3 year old had already been quite proficient with his ABC's when we gave him this book on his birthday, but we'll get a "2-fer" out of it - a fun reinforcement for him that he'll begin to actually read with, and it'll be waiting in the wings for his 1 year old baby sister (not to mention the newest family addition we recently found out about, due to arrive next May!). You can probably imagine that - having babysat for three of my four grandchildren for 7 years prior to my daughter-in-law becoming a stay-at-home-mom - we have MANY board books included in the large children's library we've built for them over those years - typically, if they're board book versions of a previously released book, they're greatly ABRIDGED versions. I have to say that not only is this one of the highest quality-constructed board books we've purchased, but at 36 pages long (as compared to the hardcover's 40 pages), I think we've actually got most of the entire original book!"
"This is a great book to help learn the alphabet."
"Chicka chicka boom boom will there be enough room?"
"This book is educational."
"Popular book for young children."
"I brought this for my niece she loves the repetition of the words and the pictures in the book."
"Bought this for my niece and nephews so I can enjoy reading them some classic books I grew up with."
"Good learning content with colorful, simple illustrations."
Best Children's Counting Books
Carle's classic tale of a voracious caterpillar who eats his way through the days of the week and then changes into a eautiful butterfly has been reissued in a sumptuous twenty-fifth anniversary edition with a shiny, silver-coated cover and wonderfully thick, durably pages. Eric Carle and Tomie dePaola: Author One-on-One Eric Carle is the creator, author, and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and many other children’s books. Tomie dePaola is the author and illustrator of Strega Nona: Her Story and countless other books. Tomie dePaola: When I was only four years old, I announced to my family in particular and to the world in general that I was going to become an artist, and write stories and draw pictures for books. Eric Carle: My career began as a graphic designer and for a number of years I worked as an art director for an advertising agency in New York. Tomie dePaola: My illustration style is heavily influenced by folk art--strong simple shapes, bold lines, color, color, color and a deceptive simplicity. Tomie dePaola: I do, as well. Eric Carle: On The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day, March 20th, I will probably be at home with my wife, Bobbie (I am a bit of a hermit, actually). Tomie dePaola: Christmas is my favorite holiday. My favorite Christmas was the one when I received tons and tons of art supplies: everything from an easel to paints, pads and pads of paper, and “how to draw” books.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The different sized pages in the middle of the book (after the caterpillar pops out of his egg on Sunday morning) showing different foods with holes punched in the centers to indicate where he's nibbled through them are darling - each page is thick enough that I think I'm going to cut a caterpillar-sized piece of green pipecleaner to give him so he can watch his very own caterpillar making its way through the one red apple he eats on Monday, two green pears on Tuesday, three purple plums on Wednesday, four red strawberries on Thursday, five bright orange oranges on Friday, and then the variety of multi-colored foods (probably not a caterpillar's scientifically accurate diet, but fun!)."
"The book itself is cute and perfect to read for babies and toddlers (repetition teaching days of the week, numbers 1-7, fruits and other foods, and life cycle). It is a solid, sturdy, proper board book with smooth finished edges that I feel comfortable having a baby touch (or even if they suck on it before you notice and pull it out of their mouth). The plush toy is also very well constructed with no loose seems and withstands gentle tugging on the ears, legs, and colored fringy hairs (of course you always need be careful with babies and choking on anything and not let them suck on this more than a moment or unsupervised)."
"I've just got him the bath book version, for his love for the caterpillar :))."
"This is my 2 year olds favorite book."
"Clever story, well-written, too."
"I bought this book to read to my granddaughters 1st grade students."
"Went great with the big stuffed caterpillar I got my niece for the holidays!!!"
"Classic kids book."
Best Children's Books on Sounds
The complete edition of the bestselling children’s favorite, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom , is now available as a Classic Board Book! Bill Martin Jr (1916–2004) has been called “America’s favorite children’s author.” He wrote more than 300 books for children, including the classic texts Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Our 3 year old had already been quite proficient with his ABC's when we gave him this book on his birthday, but we'll get a "2-fer" out of it - a fun reinforcement for him that he'll begin to actually read with, and it'll be waiting in the wings for his 1 year old baby sister (not to mention the newest family addition we recently found out about, due to arrive next May!). You can probably imagine that - having babysat for three of my four grandchildren for 7 years prior to my daughter-in-law becoming a stay-at-home-mom - we have MANY board books included in the large children's library we've built for them over those years - typically, if they're board book versions of a previously released book, they're greatly ABRIDGED versions. I have to say that not only is this one of the highest quality-constructed board books we've purchased, but at 36 pages long (as compared to the hardcover's 40 pages), I think we've actually got most of the entire original book!"
"Chicka chicka boom boom will there be enough room?"
"Popular book for young children."
"Even better is it is a board book so they cant damage the book with their curious little hands."
"Bought this for my niece and nephews so I can enjoy reading them some classic books I grew up with."
"My kids loved this book growing up and now my daughter bought it for babysitting."
"Bought it for my daughter!"
Best Children's Books on the Body
From Eric Carle, the New York Times bestselling creator of beloved books including The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Grouchy Ladybug, comes From Head to Toe , a colorful and energetic board book that will have young readers clapping their hands, stomping their feet, and wiggling their toes! A nice addition to a toddler storytime, but it may get lost as it's cataloged in 613.7.?Lisa Smith, Lindenhurst Memorial Library, NY. Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Board book edition.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My grandchildren and I had wonderful interaction guided by this charming book."
"My two year old loves this book."
"Wonderful book to get kids moving."
"Wonderful book."
"My son loves this book and acting out all the things animals do!"
"Love Eric Carle illustrations, the text is nothing too special."
"My great grandson wouldn't be parted from this book."
"Great kid's book - recommended by my daughter and grandson!"
Best Children's Books on Seasons
Another breathaking adventure featuring the main character from the New York Times bestseller The Christmas Wish ! LORI EVERT is the author of The New York Times bestseller The Christmas Wish , The Tiny Wish , The Reindeer Wish and The Brave Puppy .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I buy a Christmas book each year for my grands."
"THE VIVID PHOTOGRAPHS REMINDED ME OF ALL THOSE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICS MAGAZINES I EAGERLY STUDIED EACH MONTH, FOR YEARS, WHILE GROWING UP. AND IT TURNS OUT, PER BREIEHAGEN (LORI EVERTS SPOUSE) HAS CONTRIBUTED TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICS."
"This book is amazing!!!"
"I love all the photographs and the book is such a nice read."
"Great story, great pictures and my little great-granddaughter fell in love with it!!!"
"A beautiful book in every way!!"
Best Children's Size & Shape Books
Your little one will soon learn their first numbers, shapse and colors with this bright board book. Roger lives in London and has three children, who have been the inspiration behind many of his best publishing ideas.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Awesome book for the diaper bag."
"This was a Christmas present, but my grand daughter found it and had her aunt read it to her."
"Super little developmental book."
"love all priddy books my kid has them memorized since i've read them since they were little."
"So far my grandson loves them they keep him occupied and are going to be very good teaching tools when he gets just a little bit older maybe I was too early with the books."
"Love this book!"
"my niece loves it was very happy with the book."
Best Children's Sense & Sensation Books
Filled with real-life animal photographs featuring touch-and-feel textures that help children develop their knowledge while increasing their use of senses, Baby Touch and Feel: Animals is the perfect size for small hands. Your baby can practice animal recognition and perfect animal noises while touching the novelty textures on the pages.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My 14 month old son loves this series of touch and feel books, he actively seeks them out and carries it around flipping through the pages and touching everything."
"Perfect beginner book for a baby!"
"Some pages don't have a feel part-like the elephants water coming out of the trunk is just the sparkly paper but that doesn't bother me."
"The pages are hard enough I don't worry about him biting chunks off and he can't rip them."
"This is my sons favorite book !!"
"This is my grandson's favorite book -his favorite animals in the book is the cat & rabbit."
"Kids love this."
"Like many of the other reviewers, I did not feel like this book provided a variety of textures."