Mother Goose
(illus. by Sylvia Long , Chronicle $19.95 Score:) Children will enjoy all the details and little surprises in and around Long's sparkling illustrations in this collection of 75 classic rhymes.

Age: Infants,Toddlers,Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: .

Mother Goose Remembers
(by Clare Beaton, Barefoot Books $16.99 Score:) One of the most exquisite books we've come across. Beaton's appliqué illustrations are to be treasured, with a well-rounded collection of classic rhymes.

Age: Infants,Toddlers,Preschool. Award Year: .

My Mother Goose Library
(edited by Iona Opie/ illus. by Rosemary Wells, Candlewick $40 Score:) Both Platinum Award volumes come in a handsome gift set or in small board books for tots to enjoy($8 each) with the same delicious art. New for 2002, a Mother Goose Photo Album($22) for baby's pictures interspersed between the rhymes. Or look for new book/photo album with the classic Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney/Anita Jeram. These make charming gifts!

Age: Toddlers,Preschool. Award Year: .

Playtime Rhymes For Little People
(by Clare Beaton, Barefoot Books $18.99 Score:) Using fabric and trims, Beaton once again composes delightful illustrations to accompany a treasure trove of rhymes to play. Simple directions accompany familiar rhymes. Also top rated: Mother Goose Remembers($16.99) with glorious fabric illustrations.

Age: Toddlers,Preschool. Award Year: 2002.

Read It Play It
(by Joanne & Stephanie Oppenheim, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio $10 Score:) We know that most parents have gotten the message that reading to their children is key to growing children's positive feelings about reading and books, but what to read is sometimes less clear and so is knowing how to expand on the book experience with playful learning games. Read It! Play It! offers short reviews of easy-to-find classics and for each of the fifty books there are related games for parents and child to do together-activities that connect learning and fun through play.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2005.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
(by Zita Newcome, Candlewick $15.99 Score:) More than fifty hand-clapping, finger-snapping, action games and rhymes wonderfully illustrated with close-up directions for motions and jolly looking toddlers. An active way to develop language and concepts. 2 & up.

Age: Toddlers,Preschool. Award Year: 2003.

Michael Forman's Playtime Rhymes
(by Michael Forman, Candlewick $18.99 Score:) A companion to Foreman's Mother Goose, this is a collection of beautifully illustrated classics that you will use as baby grows into a toddler and preschooler. From "Patty Cake" to "Old MacDonald," action songs have simple directions.

Age: Infants,Toddlers,Preschool. Award Year: 2003.