Newest in an excellent series that introduces beginners to the concept of subtraction. Using rhymes that give auditory cues and photographs for visual clues, the symbols of math equations become playful and concrete. For young children the concrete objects pictured add an understanding of the number symbols. Eventually children will not need the images, but for young children, these images are already one step beyond real objects. You can further reinforce the concepts of subtracting with crackers or cheerios to represent the same equations on the pages. Frankly, M&Ms and kisses were always my favorite way to teach subtraction. But Jean Marzollo's rhymes add a dash of humor that is always welcome when dealing with numbers! They say 3-7, we say more like 5-7.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

It's Chanukah. Are those naughty dinosaurs getting into a lot of mischief, blowing out the candles on the menorah? Peeking for presents under dad's bed? Making a mess around the house? Well it seems that way, but not really. The first half of the book is just a set up, because those funny dinosaurs really do everything right. A fun romp in rhyme.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Once again those naughty dinosaurs get into a lot of mischief and muck up the house as Christmas approaches. But the first half of the book is just a set up, because those good old dinosaurs really do everything right. A fun romp in rhyme.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A playful dialogue begins with Lily asking what her grandma what she would like to be when she grows up. Lily's imagination takes off with a variety of choices that lend themselves to fun illustrations. An entertaining read aloud that might lead to some further occupational choices to dream up. 4-7

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A playful dialogue begins with Lily asking what her grandma what she would like to be when she grows up. Lily's imagination takes off with a variety of choices that lend themselves to fun illustrations. An entertaining read aloud that might lead to some further occupational choices to dream up. 4-7

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Tip your tiara and say hazzah to this independent and feisty gal! What with all the princess toys we receive, it's nice to find a kindred spirit, even if she is a young opinionated pig, who is just not into all that pink stuff for princesses! Unlike many continuing characters who wear thin--Olivia just keeps getting better and better. You go girl! 4-8

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

After a bad winter, Santa and his missus decided to retire to Miseltoe Island. But, when Christmas rolls around there is no way Santa can just play tennis and do yoga. Not to worry, as always, that jolly old fellow and his Missus have got things under control. This may be more an adult book than one for the kiddies, but it is amusing.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A small but feisty wombat takes on Santa's reindeer and other animals along the way who try to eat the many carrots at each stop. Though we hardly see good old St. Nick, this tour de carrots has a nice wry sense of humor. 4 & up.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Once again Jane Cabrera takes a familiar nursery song/rhyme and infuses it with her colorful illustrations that give it a new life. In this singable book every double page spread features a parent and child animal pair under the moon and starry night. She takes little ones to the forest, under the sea, to the faraway Arctic, the grassy plains, over the mountains, and into the jungle. The text does not labor the locale nor the names of the creatures. Filling in that info is something adults can gradually add as they look with their little listeners at the illustrations and name the pairs and places.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

This further adventure of Goldilocks and Baby Bear takes place in the city where a not so little Baby Bear has wandered by mistake. In a goofy adventure the tables are turned and the two classic characters rediscover each other. Sure to amuse older children who know the original tale well.   They say 3 & up, but we say old 4-5-year olds will see the connections and enjoy comparing the old and the new.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.