Yu-hsuan Huang – Mom Read It

I’m back with more board books, and this trio has been vetted as insanely adorable by my colleagues. It was an informal vote, but an enthusiastic one, as I debuted them during a meeting last week. They’ve also been approved by my dog, who is desperate to treat them (and my fingers) as a chew toy, so make of that what you will.

Baby Narwhal: Finger Puppet Book, Illustrated by Yu-Hsuan Huang, (March 2021, Chronicle Books), $7.99, ISBN: 9781797205656

Ages 0-3

An addition to the Baby Animal Finger Puppet Book series from Chronicle, Baby Narwhal is a chunky, small board book that can easily fit in your pocket or bag, and make for a great little storytime anywhere, anytime. Baby Narwhal learns to swim through the water hunt for fish, plays with friends, and heads off for a nap. A plush Baby Narwhal finger puppet lets readers poke a finger through to let the narwhal interact with readers and the story. It’s wonderful for children to explore through touch, and it’s an easy little book to tote around to keep toddlers busy while out and about. Simple sentences make this a simple story to soothe fussy littles, and the plush puppet is soft and snuggly. Absolute fun for babies, toddlers, and rising preschoolers.

Baby Otter: Finger Puppet Book, Illustrated by Yu-Hsuan Huang, (March 2021, Chronicle Books), $7.99, ISBN: 9781797205663

Ages 0-3

Baby Otter is another finger puppet book in the Baby Animals Finger Puppet series, and just as adorable. Baby Otter plays, looks for food, swims, grooms herself, and snuggles down for sleepy time in this small board book that holds up to multiple readings. I also gave Otter a little bit of a scrub with a soapy washcloth, and she comes clean very easily, too – super helpful if you have teething babies and toddlers! Colorful cartoon illustrations get little ones’ attention, but the star of the show is the finger puppet, smack in the middle of the page. The Baby Animals board books are a fun little library to put together for your Kiddos.

Baby Narwhal: Kid-Tested, Doggo Approved.

Hug Me Little Puppy: Finger Puppet Book, by Chronicle Books, (March 2021, Chronicle Books), $9.99, ISBN: 9781797205700

Ages 0-3

A finger puppet book that encourages kids to interact with the character, Hug Me Little Puppy is all about the love between a caregiver and child. Big Puppy plays, finds treats to share, carries, and hugs Little Puppy in this board book that comes with huggable arms for readers to use to play along. Great for a lapsit where you can hug and snuggle your own little ones, Hug Me Little Puppy is soft, and adorable, perfect for babies and toddlers. One-sentence spreads make this a great story for emerging readers, too – what better way to learn new words than by learning words about love and fun?

Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK. How did that sneak up so fast? If you’re spending the holidays with family, you don’t want to show up empty-handed, right? And if you have kids in your family, you may be that sort of guest that likes to bring a book. (It’s not just me, is it?) Here are a few holiday books to get kids ready for Christmas:

The Twelve Days of Christmas (Panorama Pops), Illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith,
(Sept. 2017, Candlewick Press), $8.99, ISBN: 978-0-7636-9485-2
Perfect for ANY age!

How adorable is this itty bitty gift book? It comes in its own little slipcase, and opens to a pop-up, beautifully illustrated panoramic reading of the classic Christmas carol. There’s a brief explanation of the 12 days in the beginning of the book, which was news to me. I’ve spent the last *cough cough* decades thinking my birthday kicked off the 12 days of Christmas, but the days are actually from the 25th, Christmas Day, to the Epiphany, on January 5th. (I bet my parents are thrilled about that Catholic school tuition money.) There’s a note about the song’s origins; the words dating back to 1780, the music to 1909. Sing along with the kiddos, and then sing a fun take on the carol, like my son’s favorite, The Twelve Bots of Christmas! This one will take a beating in a public library – this one is great for storytime reference, but you’re taking matters into your own hands if you put this in circulation.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (Snow Globe Edition), by Michael Rosen/Illustrated by Helen Oxbury,
(Oct. 2017, Candlewick Press), $16.99, ISBN: 9781536200294
Great for all ages, but perfect for readers 3-7

This is such a fun update of a storytime classic! The cover is a 3-D, plastic-encased snow globe, with little styrofoam balls to shake up and down and all around. This version of the story features die-cut and pop-up that will add to all of your splashing and sploshing, squelching, and squerching. I’m reading this one, along with Over the River: The Turkey’s Tale at my Thanksgiving storytime next week, and I can’t wait to see the kids’ faces when I show off the snow globe. Again, this one is great for gifts and storytime reference, but circulating librarians, be ware.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Sing Along With Me!), Illustrated by Yu-hsuan Huang,
(Sept. 2017, Nosy Crow/Candlewick), $8.99, ISBN: 978-0-7636-9612-2
Great for all ages, but the board book is perfect for 2-5

Another illustrated Christmas carol, this time in board book form! Sing along with adorable animal friends as they get ready to celebrate Christmas, and scan the QR code in the book for a free, downloadable version of the song. There are five fun sliders, one on each spread, that let little hands peek at little buddies hiding behind a Christmas tree, pop up snowmen, slide a cat and mouse team down a hill, open a home to visiting friends, and watch Santa fly by. This book is way too much fun, and it’s nice and sturdy: built to last repeated uses. Put this one in your board book collections, you’re all good!

Tag: Yu-hsuan Huang

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