Hands down, one of the things I’m most passionate about in motherhood, is all the BOOKS. I’m just crazy about board books and have collected quite a few for my daughter over the past couple years. We love reading together, and the colors and illustrations can be so inviting – each book is almost like a little piece of artwork (may sound silly, but whatever!). Pair that with some thoughtful words, and you’ve got a winner.
We love the classics, of course – Goodnight Moon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and so on. However, as my daughter reaches two and a half years, it can be tough for her to sit still very long and go through the typical board book. She’s started showing more and more interest in interactive books, which have proven really fun to read together. These “interactive” ones are similar to your standard pop-up and lift-the-flap books, but call for a little more activity and participation. So, I’ve gathered some of our favorites and a couple we’d like to try:
The Game of Finger Worms – Hervé Tullet
I’ve read this one to Adeline for quite a while, and she loved it from the start. The idea is fairly simple – and really freakin’ cute. Just draw a smiley face on the tip of your finger and use your newly acquired “finger worm” in different scenarios throughout the book. They love the anticipation of a finger worm popping out on every page.
Press Here – Hervé Tullet
The second book from this French author, because he’s got so many good ones. Start off by pushing on the yellow dot, then follow the directions on each page. Little ones are instructed to press different colors, do some shaking, and tilt the book back and forth to make some silly things happen. A+ for vibrant colors and being very visually pleasing.
Tap the Magic Tree – Christie Matheson
I think this one might be my personal favorite. The book starts with a bare brown tree and instructs readers to tap once, then more, to make leaves grow. Amazon says: Pat, clap, wiggle, jiggle, and blossoms bloom, apples grow, and the leaves swirl away with the autumn breeze. If you get one book off this list, I’d make it this one!
ABC ANIMALS! – Rufus Butler Seder
This book is on another level of COOL. Adeline received it as a gift last Christmas, and it’s been on her main little “book table” in the living room since. It goes through the ABC’s with “scanimation” pictures of corresponding animals (alligator, bats, camel, etc.) on each page. Watch the alligator snap and a mouse scurry along on his wheel.
Some other ones to try:
Do your little ones enjoy interactive books? Have any recommendations or favorites to add? We’d love to hear about them!
