One of the best gifts you can give a 3 or 4 year old child (and her parents) is a picture book. Beautiful picture books spark imagination into a new world. The use of repetitive words and rhyming words helps a child develop language. It’s not surprising that after a few reads that a child can begin to say what happens next in the story. Picture books with beautiful images allow the child to get lost in the pages and explore words as he says out loud the things you find, “red dress, blue house, yellow truck.”
One of the best gifts from a picture book is the uninterrupted time to snuggle. By giving a child (and the parent) a picture book, you are helping them carve out quiet time to bond and get lost in a world together. Picture books also spark conversation between an adult and a child. “What happens next?” “Or, why do you think the rabbit did that?” Questions posed help a child develop critical thinking, whether they are aware of it or not.
When it comes to gifting a picture book, we love pairing the gift with a toy that connects with the book. Not only does it bring a little extra surprise to the gift when opened, but it also allows the child to connect with the book and play in the imaginative world even when not engrossed in the words.
We love the below wonderful picture books that will have staying power in a family’s bookshelf for years to come.
Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast by Josh Funk
Why mom approves: the whimsical adventures of breakfast foods is sure to cause a round of giggles
We love following the adventures of Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast as they repel down linguine, scale Potato Mash Mountain and strut through Broccoli Forest. Little ones will get a kick out of imaging their everyday foods as a backdrop to such shenanigans in the refrigerator. Author Josh Funk’s rhymes are imaginative, and the pictures by illustrator Brendan Kearney are so fun to explore. There are two books in the series: Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast ($14.95), The Case of the Stinky Stench ($16.10) (with Inspector Croissant) and soon-to-be released third book in the series Mission Defrostable ($13.44). There are so many gifts you could pair with these books: think of pretend food, like the nice, solid and brightly-painted wooden Frozen Treats Playset ($19.99) and Flip and Serve Pancakes ($19.99) from Melissa & Doug.
Pictures Books by Chris Van Dusen
Why mom approves: Picture books by Chris Van Dusen inspire adventure and ingenuity
Last year our charming local bookstore The Blue Bunny recommended If I Built a House for my then 4-year-old son, and we are so thankful. The worlds created by Chris Van Dusen are filled with ingenuity and imagination. For If I Built a Car, Dusen describes how Popular Mechanics inspired him. And you feel that scientific curiosity pulsing through his books, whether it’s cars made out of polymer glue, houses with flying rooms, or giant robots. If you are purchasing one of these books as a gift, there are so many fun options to help
A Camping Spree with Mr. MaGee ($15.99) think binoculars or toy camping lantern, even explorer’s vest; Randy Riley’s Really Big Hit ($16.99) we love these morphing Alphabots from Lakeshore Learning. Learning to Ski with Mr. MaGee ($15.99) think an adorable ski hat. And, for If I Built a House ($17.99) or If I Built a Car ($8.99) you can’t go wrong with a kit that lets you design a home or car, such as the RoseArt Wooden Speedway Racers Car Kit ($9.99)
Stories by Mo Willems
Why mom approves: it is sure to be a silly time following Mo Willems characters through their trials and tribulations
One thing that is unanimous among preschool parents? Their love of stories by Mo Willems. The childlike outbursts from the pigeon and the comedic duo of the pig and elephant keep kids engaged and giggling. These books will be read so much by little ones, that parents should not be surprised when they are among the first books a child can read independently. For a deeper look at why this author-illustrator is so revered, read New York Times’ Mo Willems and the Art of the Children’s Book.
Whatever Mo Willems book you select as a gift, will be a great one. You can’t go wrong. We may say the pigeon and bunny books, because of the pictures and larger layout, may be of more interest for preschoolers, and the pig and elephant books for ages 5 and older; however, all ages will enjoy the humor found in these books.
Three of our family favorites are: The Duckling Gets a Cookie ($16.99), Let’s Go for a Drive ($9.99) and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus ($16.99).
And, there are so many ways to pair a fun gift with these books: adorable piggie and elephant puppets, a cuddly pigeon or duckling, or pigeon in a bus lunch box. Or, take pointers from the book. The Duckling Gets a Cookie? How sweet would it be to gift the book with a plate of warm, chocolate chip cookies. Or, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! add a small, toy bus to the birthday package.
STEM Stories by Andrea Beaty
Why mom approves: STEM books that inspire and are a joy to read
Author Andrea Beaty and illustrator David Roberts have created a wonderful collection of books designed to ignite curiosity. Rosie Revere, Engineer ($17.95), Ada Twist, Scientist ($17.95) and Iggy Peck, Architect ($17.95) are filled with STEM concepts, but are easily accessible thanks to the absorbing whimsical watercolor-and-pen illustrations and rhymes that have kids marching to the end of the book at an upbeat pace. The characters in each story preserve, teaching a moral parents are happy to re-read. Each of the books now have a corresponding “big project workbook,” designed to have kids work through STEM activities. Consider the age of the child before purchasing, as some of the concepts may be better for elementary school children.
Crayons Take Center Stage
Why mom approves: two very different, but poignant books where an everyday art supply is turned into the star
In both of these books crayons take center stage. But, how the crayons ‘live’ in each book is poignant and different. In The Day the Crayons Quit ($17.99) the crayons have gone a sort of strike, leaving notes about their grievances that are sure to bring giggles to young readers. In Red: A Crayon’s Story ($17.99), a blue crayon is labeled red and goes on a journey that teaches young readers that one of the best things you can do is to be true to yourself. Why not pair both books together as a gift, and package them with a little box of crayons. All will be enjoyed.
Playful Stories by Herve Tullet
Why mom approves: these stories get readers clapping, pointing and making silly noises
Don’t let the basic red, blue and yellow dots fool you. The simplicity of these books is juxtaposed in the amount of attention they command from its readers – clapping, pointing, pressing, counting, and making silly noises. Press Here ($15.99) and Let’s Play ($15.99) take readers on a adventure, and are such a joyfully, fun story to share with a child (albeit, maybe not around bedtime). If you are gifting these books, fold up white paper into a mini book and pair with a small package of sticker dots (around $5) that you can easily find at an office store. Children can take their own dots on a whimsical journey through a book of their own imagination.
For more picture book inspiration, here is our post on 7 Boston area children’s book authors with picture books that should be on every family’s shelf.