Spring edition part two: the Book Nook with Kesia + Toru
Part two of our spring Book Nook compilation!
Kesia and her partner are loving daily story times with their three-year-old son, Toru. As his interests become more apparent and his attention span for longer and more complex stories increases, they love choosing books that not only align with his own current curiosity but also help expand his horizons.
They have been making the most of curbside hold pickups at the Ottawa Public Library to discover some new favourites.
123 to the Zoo by Eric Carle
Combining trains, zoo animals and the artwork of Eric Carle make this a favourite for all of us. Now that Toru is a little older, this book lends itself to memory and matching practice as well as counting.
The Animal Boogie by Debbie Harter
Another great action book set to a catchy tune for a jungle-themed dance party (the book comes with a CD). We appreciate the inclusive illustrations as well.
Maxine and the Greatest Garden Ever by Ruth Spiro + Holly Hatam
On the surface, this is a cute story of friendship and gardening. But looking a little closer, it also addresses themes around STEAM, creativity, innovation and the scientific method.
Rhoda’s Rock Hunt by Molly Beth Griffin + Jennifer A. Bell
While this story would also be enjoyed by older children, it fits well with a toddler’s enthusiasm for collecting. Toru loves going on nature walks and collecting treasures “just like Rhoda”. We love reading about Rhoda’s lessons in independence and exploring what to do if you have “too much” in your collection.
The Nut that Fell from the Tree by Sangeeta Bhadra + France Cormier
This is a fun “house that Jack built” style story, following a small acorn on its journey until it germinates and grows into a new oak tree. The repetitive, cumulative story style makes this a perfect read-aloud book for toddlers, and Toru enjoys the surprise partway through that breaks the repetitive pattern for just a moment! I don’t often choose books for Canadian content but worth noting that both the author and illustrator are Canadian.
Counting Colors by Roger Priddy
This is another book that has been a favourite since Toru was small. It started out as a great book to build vocabulary, and now with an older toddler, it’s great for counting practice, “I Spy” games, and even as the starting point for some imaginative stories of our own. There is so much to look at on every page that this is a perfect book for travel.
Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker + Tom Lichtenheld
Combining trains, zoo animals and the artwork of Eric Carle make this a favourite for all of us. Now that Toru is a little older, this book lends itself to memory and matching practice as well as counting.
