Few events please older toddlers more than a birthday. Any book that centers on this event and especially the cake part it likely to become a favorite. This is an old fashioned kind of toddler tale in which the toddler asks his animal friends to give him each of the ingredients needed. In the end they all share the cake and so can you. The recipe is on the back. Originally published in 1993, this is now redone in a board book that will withstand beginner page-turners. The art makes up for the semi flat cumulative story line. 2 & up

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A collection of full color photos of a multicultural cast of babies and toddlers. There is a small text but the beauty is in the images on every page. These are taken by many different photographers, every image is a gem. Babies and toddlers like looking at pictures of other children and there's a lot to talk about as you turn the pages, depending on the interest and age of your lapsitter. One time you could find the baby's mouth, eyes, nose, teeth, etc. Another time you can talk about the baby's clothes or expression or what she is eating or looking at. Done on sturdy cardboard stock, this is a book toddlers will enjoy solo after you have shared it a few times. You do need to set the scene by introducing the concepts.

Age: Infants, Toddlers. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Things that go together are the underlying concept built into this charming little board book designed for toddlers. It features a cast of multi-cultural children and their fathers. It follows the happy duos through the seasons doing the things we do with children through the year. So, this is a book that plays on the seasons, word concepts and most of all the loving connection between father and child. 18 months & up.

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Pairs of animals, parent and child, are featured in this charming toddler book about the bond between Papas and their little ones. Flip it over and the companion book, Mama, Mama is printed on the reverse side of this sturdy little board book. A classic that speak to the many things parents do for the little ones they love. 1 & up.

Age: Infants, Toddlers. Award Year: 2007. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Pairs of farm animal mommies and their babies parade through the pages of this small board book. Executed with the artist's typical bright colors and jovial spirit. The only text introduces the proper names for hen and chick, pig and piglets, sheep and lamb, etc. You might call it a knowing and naming young science book, but chances are you'll be talking about the things each pair of animals are doing and the colors and other objects on the pages. The pages are sturdy enough for little hands to turn independently without ripping.

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

An entertaining lift-the-flap book for toddlers. Each page reveals a farm animal that is not a cow. But the hints in the rhyming text gives young listeners a clue about what animal will be behind the flaps. It's an old concept, but still new to a fresh generation of toddlers. 2 & up.

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A valentine for toddlers. Each of the animal mother's reassures her little one that she loves him or her, no matter what mistakes they may make. An old-fashioned picture book for young listeners that ends with a mother and child of the human kind. 2 & up

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Kids love things that go and this knowing and naming book features pull out pages with familiar vehicles shown in black silhouette. Read the rhyme that gives them a clue and pull the page to see the vehicle in full color. The sturdy little cardboard book features a plane, car, boat, motorcycle, train, helicopter, and boat with a final page that shows them all. Also in the same series, Toys and Zoo with the same format.

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Four perfect little rhymes with a cast of adorable multicultural babies are seen tickling, romping, clapping and napping in this set of charming board books. These books were all originally published separately in larger formats many years ago. But these mini size books fit little hands even better and nothing is lost in the shrinking size. The four books, Clap Hands, All Fall Down, Tickle, Tickle and Say Goodnight are classics that just got better. They come in a ribbon trimmed red slipcase that ties up to make a perfect baby shower gift or when visiting a new baby.

Age: Infants, Toddlers. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Karen Katz's award-winning classic is re-issued in an oversized 10th anniversary edition and it's even better than the original. The lift-the-flaps book has a cast of multicultural babies doing what babies do. One hides under a hat until you lift the hat flap and see baby's eyes. Another's mouth is covered till you pull the cup flap. Baby lifts her shirt and there it is--her belly button. This sturdy picture book is printed on sturdy cardboard and will withstand encore readings. It's also short and a lot like games you play to help baby learn the names of body parts. Karen Katz's use of vibrant colors and happy looking babies will make this a favorite book you will need to read again and again! 9 months & up.

Age: Infants, Toddlers. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.