Have you noticed there are lots of new board books launching? There’s a very good reason…research shows that the greatest amount of learning takes place between ages 0-3! And board books are excellent vehicles for those littlest of hands to explore, engage, and sometimes, eat. I always said that I devoured books when I was a kid. Toddlers often chew on whatever they can put in their curious mouths…thank goodness that the pages of board books are made of laminated cardboard. Board books provide wee ones with colorful images…and so much more! They invite independent learning, while at the same time they promote bonding with the important adults in a child’s life. And they offer baby a chance to hear the sounds of language. Building a vocabulary begins at birth…and board books can help.

Board books often appear in a series…and one of my favorite is the Little Animals series written by my Storm Literary Agency sister and dear friend, Julie Abery. Illustrated by Suzie Mason and published by Amicus, this series began as a #50PreciousWords winner, LITTLE TIGER. There are now EIGHT books – and each one is adorable. The newest launched only a few days ago: LITTLE WALRUS and LITTLE OTTER.