DELAWARE MODERN PEDIATRICS, P.A.

David M. Epstein, M.D.

300 Biddle Avenue, Suite 206

Springside Plaza, Connor Building

Newark, Delaware 19702

Phone: (302) 392-2077

Fax: (302) 392 - 0020

 

www.DelawareModernPediatrics.com

 

 

Dr. Epstein’s Book Suggestions

 

My wife and I began reading to Hannah when she was only a few weeks old, and she quickly learned to enjoy books.  We discovered that choosing books was a matter of holding the adults' interest as much as the child's!  Choose books that YOU like reading out loud.

 

In the first few months, Hannah enjoyed board books with photographs or cartoon-type drawings with bright colors.  She loved anything by Sandra Boynton (especially “Barnyard Dance”) or Rosemary Wells.  Family photo albums were also favorite "books."  The sing-song cadence of "Mother Goose" rhymes are great for reading aloud.  The biggest hit was a board book with photos of farm animals.

 

Here are some books Hannah enjoyed between 4 and 15 months or so:

 

Nancy Shaw:                                                                                                       Sheep in a Jeep            Rhythmic, almost musical, and funny

Pat Hutchins:           Rosie's Walk                       Just a few words, but great pictures to talk about

Vera Williams:         More, More, More Said the Baby                 Love and affection in families

Don & Audrey Wood:                                                               King Bidgood's in the Bathtub            Rich, detailed pictures with sing-song text

 

These books Hannah also loved to read at 15‑22 months:

 

Margaret Wise‑Brown:      Good Night Moon                                 Find the mouse on each page

Don & Audrey Wood:         The Napping House   A funny “stacking” story with great drawings

Bill Martin:                          Chicka Chicka Boom Boom                           Short or long version

Nancy White Carlstrom:   Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?      The classic – rollicking fun

Eileen Christelow               Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed              The kids’ game

Mem Fox:                              Time for Bed                                                    A sweet bedtime story

Verna Aardema                   Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain  Beautiful African stacking story

These books have more of a story line, and we read them as Hannah got past 22‑24 months:

 

Anita Jeram:                         Contrary Mary                                (Is Hannah ever contrary? Ha!)

Ludwig Bemelmans:            Madeline           A weird old story, but kids love it; great Paris scenes

Ezra Jack Keats:                   Whistle for Willie, The Snowy Day         Gentle stories - classics

Sheena Knowles:                   Edward the Emu                                            Love and attachment

Leo Lionni:                             Frederick, Cornelius, Swimmy                                                  

                                                                                             Lionni has written many wonderful fables

Esphyr Slobodkina:              Caps for Sale                                          The monkeys love to tease!

Jan Brett                                The Mitten: A Ukrainian Folktale                                           

                                                                                                 All the animals climb inside the mitten



For older kids:  See what your child fancies.  These have a wacky sense of humor – we loved them!

 

Taro Gomi                              Everyone Poops                               The Japanese pull no punches!

Judith Viorst                         Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

                                                                                               Everybody has a day like this sometimes

Selby Beeler                          Throw Your Tooth on the Roof

                                                                                        Baby tooth traditions from around the world

Robert McCloskey                Blueberries for Sal, Make Way for Ducklings

                                                                                                                      Classics about family love

 

 

Try reading books that might seem too "old" for the child.  Infants often understand much more than it might appear.

 

Don't forget your public library!  They have lots of books for infants and children, and it’s free.  It’s a terrific habit to start.  Check their schedule for the librarian’s “story time,” often appropriate for 2 and 3 year olds.

 

 

 

 

© 2007, David Marc Epstein