Toddlers and Childcare
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Classic Books For Toddlers
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1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
First published in 1969, this colourful classic has been a toddler favourite for generations. With simple, repetitive wording and unique cut-out illustrations, your child can learn about the caterpillar life cycle and develop language skills as they go. A sturdy board book version is best to withstand exploring fingers.
TODDLERS AND CHILDCARE
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2. Possum Magic by Mem Fox
A mystical possum, Grandma Poss, makes her darling grandchild invisible to keep her safe from the dangers of the bush. The only way to break the spell is to travel Australia enjoying tasty treats in each new city. An Australian classic, this book is also available in board book versions and a variety of spin-offs including a beautiful book of family-friendly Aussie recipes.
3. Green Eggs And Ham by Dr Seuss
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No bedroom library is complete without a book by Dr Seuss. There are plenty to choose from, but the humour and repetition in this story makes it especially popular with younger children. With typically quirky illustrations, the persistent Sam I Am tries to convince the narrator to try a food he does not like. The words of this book are so famous you’re bound to hear them pop up in other places: Would you eat them in a box? Would you eat them with a fox? And the message about trying new things is ideal for fussy eaters.
4. We’re Going On A Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
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This popular contemporary classic invites children to participate in the action as a family goes out looking for bears. Packed with onomatopoeia, the sing-song nature of the wording is great for literacy development: note the splishy splashy river and the squelchy squerchy mud! Many kids will know this as a song enjoyed at kindys and playgroups, making the book version an instant favourite.
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5. Hairy Maclary by Lynley Dodd Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy is the mischievous star of over twenty animal adventure tales. Unlike many children’s books about dogs and cats, Dodd’s characters don’t talk or wear twee little jackets; they chase bugs, snatch sausages and roll around in bushes, just like the pets you might have at home. Written entirely in rhyming verse and peppered with sophisticated words, these books are excellent for extending your child’s vocabulary and speech skills.
Your Local Families Magazine – Brisbane Issue 12 - October/November 2015