Don't be fooled by the title. This is quite different from the many wonderful I Spy books by Jean Marzollo and Walter Wicks, that we recommend for older kids. It's wonderful in its own way.

I Spy With My Little Eye is designed for much younger kids who are somewhat beyond beginner games of peek-e-boo. It's also a science book that gives very young kids a nugget of information about the animal that will be revealed as you go from the cut-away detail to the image of the whole creature. In some ways this is a bit more like Eric Carle's Polar Bear and Brown Bear "knowing and naming" books. That said, the illustrations are fresh and full of vitality and the playful format will no doubt appeal to older toddlers and preschoolers. Printed on sturdy stock it is well designed to withstand the page turning of inexperienced little hands.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Using pet names from many cultures and adorable paintings of babies from all over the world, this is a rhythmic rhyme to share with babies and toddlers. Printed on big sturdy cardboard pages this is a book that can take the kind of handling it is sure to get from "ndependent" little readers. You won't just read the words on the page, there's so much to talk about as you look at what the babies are doing through the day. 6 months & up

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

Two masters combined forces to create a charming book about the anticipated arrival of a new baby. We wish the text matched the glorious art. Each handsome scene between Mama and the big brother-to-be is followed with multi-framed art imagining the baby to be. Most of it is amusing, though one must wonder if the baby's future career would be interesting to this little boy--rather than his own future. Obviously, imagining the baby as an artist covered with paint and working as a chef makes amusing art. But when Mama suggests baby might work at a zoo, the big brother's idea of baby being eaten by a tiger feels a little over the top. Granted, the anticipation of a sibling is likely to include some anxiety, the question, "Mommy, can't you tell the baby to go away? We don't really need the baby, do we?" is asked--but never answered. One could say better that way; but one might also wonder---why ask the question? Sure kids feelings about siblings often include such thoughts. But truth be told, such questions usually comes after the event.

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

This is not your Kindergarten teacher's Mulberry Bush song, but you can bet kindergarten teachers and preschool teachers and parents will be singing this new version. From the moment they wake until the time they go to sleep, Jane Cabrera follows two little pups through the day. Sung to the original melody, this has a repetitive refrain that kids can sing along with you as they enjoy the lively illustrations. 2-5

Age: Toddlers, Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Ducky is ready for the bath and so is baby. Activate the finger puppet attached to the book to give the pages extra interest and added motion. This is one of those sturdy cardboard baby books that reflects typical activities. 

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

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.

It's time for bed and the question of the night is—who needs to be tucked in? As each animal on the left page says 'I do!' the reader turns a half page that turns out to be a blanket. Toddlers and preschoolers are going to love the novelty and repetition of this zippy book. All sorts of animals with feathers, hooves, stripes, horns, and other features are pictured waiting to be tucked in to be told "Good-night!" Bright illustrations and colorful blankies make this a delightful choice for any child you know from 18 months up.  We think even 4's would like having it read to them and beginning readers will love the repetition and figure out the animal’s name from the illustration.

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

Jane Cabrera put her own special touch to this classic song that kids love to sing with plenty of actions. Cabrera added a cast of friendly little animals and their sounds or motions that blend with this wonderfully repetitive song. It's easy to learn, easy to play, and for older siblings, it may even be easy to read. This was on our list a few years ago, and we're glad to see it back in print in a cardboard version that will withstand all the singing and solo reading it will get.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. 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.

"Piggy Pi Po likes to dance when he wears his party pants"--when he wears his fins--he swims--and so it goes. Three little stories about a loveable Piggy told in rhyme. Don Wood's lively illustrations provide just the right momentum to match the humor of these bouncy rhymes. The first little story is about what Piggy wears depending on what he's doing and ends in the tub with Piggy wearing nothing but bubbles from head to toes. The second rhyme tells how smart Piggy is except for one little problem with his shoes that most kids will surely relate to. A third and final rhyme captures Piggy being his piggish self and what happens when he does that. This will be a fun read aloud that kids will soon chime in on as they anticipate the turn pages and use the cues of the rhymes. 2 ½ & up.

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