Why I Love Getting National Geographic Little Kids

I have learned that children LOVE animals. I don’t know if it’s because there are a ton of them in their first books or because many of their favorite characters are animals or because it is fun to imitate their noises, but I do know that a ton of my money goes straight to the zoo and the farm between May and October.

I personally am pretty neutral when it comes to animals. I never had a pet growing up (unless you count the Goldfish won at the Purim carnival that ultimately ended up down the toilet, or the tadpole my dad thought would be fun to watch grow into a frog. I have three brothers – I don’t even remember if it made it and if it did, I have no idea what we did with that frog…). When asked, I tell people my favorite animal is the Koala. It’s adorable and it was my first Beanie Baby (his name was Mel). It would make sense that my kids would be OBSESSED with animals since my husband hated the smell of horses as a kid and I am the first to admit I think the pet shop is equally exciting to visit as the Bronx Zoo. After getting a bunch of animal books from the library, my kids decided it was time to ask me about specific animals and things that relate to animals I cannot explain without Google (thank you YouTube for the video of ducklings hatching). My dad suggested we get a subscription to National Geographic Little Kids for my young explorers.

This has actually been an amazing investment for many reasons. First, my kids love getting mail and this is addressed to them. Second, I learn as much (or more) from this magazine as my kids. It is written in simple language that I understand so I can explain what is happening in the pictures (yes, I can proudly explain how a spider spins a web). Third, my son thinks the cards inside are precious collector’s items and we all learn really fun facts about animals I didn’t know had fun facts. (Example: Male elk shed their antlers and grow new ones every year – is that not fun?) Fourth, the information is broken up by games and exercises which makes reading the magazine an entertaining and interactive experience. While it features many animals (and the pictures are always amazing), it touches upon all aspects of science – nature, space, dinosaurs, technology, the human body and other things I was never interested in as a child but my kids really want to learn about. If you think science isn’t your subject it is time for you to subscribe to Nat Geo Kids so your kids can get obsessed with it and you can start learning with your children. Fun Fact: this is definitely a worthy investment.

You can check out their website here: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

Publisher Close Up: Barefoot Books

Many of my friends ask me for board book recommendations for their toddlers (specifically 18-36 months). These parents are looking for more sophisticated content but know their children cannot hold back the temptation of ripping thin paperbacks. I am constantly suggesting board books published by Barefoot Books and decided to showcase them for all my readers today (conveniently just in time for gift-giving season)! They have amazing titles to choose from, all with appropriate texts and vibrant illustrations that are sure to be your new go-to books for story time. Here are some examples that have become staples in my own home:

Alligator Alphabet

By: Stella Blackstone

Before you even begin to go through the names of animals in alphabetical order, take a look at the end papers of this board book. They are so colorful and inviting they are sure to excite any toddler about the alphabet! The text and illustrations are simple and rhythmic, the perfect combination for a little one learning letters and names of animals. As a parent and educator (of sorts), I appreciate the presence of both the capital and lower case letter on each page right next to each other for children to see both forms of the letters. The book also lends itself to singing when you get to the last page. So now that you know about this version of the ABCs, next time won’t you read this book with your toddler?

One Moose, Twenty Mice

By: Clare Beaton

While counting all the different animals on each page of this board book, there is a little game of hide and seek to be played that is sure to excite and engage the reader. This counting book is rare in that it counts from one to twenty and really pushes the idea that children can absorb anything, so why stop counting at ten? Children will clearly be able to identify the number as well as the spelling each number on each page and will also have a great time telling you what kinds of familiar items the illustrator used to add character to each item on the page. Clare Beaton has a unique illustration technique in all of her books. She sews fabric and uses beads, buttons and sequins for detailing. It is always bright and inviting for children of all ages. Go out and get counting!

Big and Small

By: Britta Teckentrup

Teaching the concept of opposites is extremely popular during the toddler years. Big and Small has an interesting approach to the typical book about differences. Everything in the book is either big or little but the connections to understand the two pictures lends itself to a much bigger educational opportunity. For example, on one page there is an apple and next to it is a seed. Obviously the apple is the bigger object and the seed is the small one, but a child will notice the seed is inside a cut-up apple and this also gives the reader the opportunity to teach that seeds are planted and then grow into apples. Pretty sophisticated for a toddler board book! The book is filled with colorful, bold illustrations and has far more to offer than just building vocabulary and itemizing things that are large or small.

Bear About Town

By: Stella Blackstone

By the time a child turns two, they are usually familiar with places they go to most often. The street of the park before they actually see the swings, when you turn the corner on to the block you live on, usually the child will verbalize they are aware of their surroundings. This book has the reader tag along with Bear as he shows us where he goes on a weekly basis. While some places may be more familiar to a child than others (the playground vs. the movie theater), this book has a map of Bear’s town on the last page that makes this a remarkable teaching tool about a neighborhood. A child can literally trace Bear’s daily journeys and see how he gets to each place every day. It may even inspire you to create with your little one your own map of the popular places you go to together. (My son personally uses it as a road for his toy cars to drive on, to each his own!)

Elusive Moose

By: Joan Gannij

This is definitely not your typical animal story. Set in the North woods, a narrator is searching for a moose. Can you spot one each page? Clare Beaton illustrates this book in her typical fashion of felt, beads and buttons and encourages readers to explore a region they may be very unfamiliar with. An opportunity to teach about different types of footprints and Northern wildlife stem from this beautiful little book.

    

Clare Beaton's Rhyming Series

Clare Beaton combines popular and not as familiar verses in all of these beautifully illustrated board books. They are fun to read and inviting to look at. Our personal favorites are Animal Rhymes and Bedtime Rhymes. Children will definitely start chanting these rhymes over and over!