Board Books: Ages 0-3

Ahoy! All aboard for a world of learning and fun!

Ducks overboard! shouts the captain, as a giant wave washes a box of 10 little rubber ducks off his cargo ship and into the sea. The ducks are swept away in various directions. One drifts west, where a friendly dolphin jumps over it. A whale sings to another. But as the sun sets, the 10th little rubber duck is left all alone, bobbing helplessly on the big wide sea. Small readers and listeners will empathize with the little duck's plight--and will rejoice at the heartwarming surprise ending.

In this poignant and funny story, illustrated with strikingly designed collages, Eric Carle takes readers on an exciting voyage of discovery. Following the little ducks as they float to all parts of the globe, young explorers can see for themselves the meanings of directional words and learn simple math concepts, such as counting and the use of cardinal and ordinal numbers. Each creature the ducks meet is seen in its own habitat and behaves in a true-to-life manner, offering a very simple first view of biology and geography.

A wonderful read-aloud for storytimes or one-on-one sharing. It's a definite 10, commented School Library Journal in a starred review. Beautifully composed illustrations, said Booklist. As sublimely simple and endearing as the playthings it portrays, agreed Publishers Weekly.

This board book edition with sturdy pages is perfect to share with toddlers. Note that this edition does not include a squeaker at the end.

In January, two mice, Willie and Winnie, make a new friend: a tree. The tree tells them her name is Woody, and the mice promise to visit her all year round. As the months tick by, Willie and Winnie watch Woody soak up the rain, bloom buds into flowers and leaves, and bear fruit. By the end of the year, Willie and Winnie know they've made a forever friend who has taught them all about the seasons.

Originally published in 1992, this board book classic from Caldecott Award winner Leo Lionni is the perfect read year-round.

A is for Activist is an ABC board book written and illustrated for the next generation of progressives: families who want their kids to grow up in a space that is unapologetic about activism, environmental justice, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, and everything else that activists believe in and fight for.

The alliteration, rhyming, and vibrant illustrations make the book exciting for children, while the issues it brings up resonate with their parents' values of community, equality, and justice. This engaging little book carries huge messages as it inspires hope for the future, and calls children to action while teaching them a love for books.

Spring is a time of budding trees, chirping birds, and croaking frogs. Discover these and more wonders of spring in this delightful board book inspired by the works of legendary children's book author-illustrator Leo Lionni. With sturdy pages and colorful collage-style artwork, this spring-themed book is perfect for boys and girls ages 0 to 5.

Leo's Lionni's Friends is a series of fresh, fun board books inspired by the classic works of author and illustrator Leo Lionni to introduce his work to a new generation of readers.

Don't miss there other books in the series:

A Little Book About Colors
A Little Book About ABC's
A Little Book About 123's

Adorable cat with eyes of gold.
Baby cat just two weeks old.

From curious to elegant, grouchy to inquisitive, rowdy to tangled to . . . well, unusual (who says cats don't swim in the tub?), these twenty-six charming felines interact with oversize alphabet letters on rhyming spreads. Author Lesléa Newman and illustrator Isabella Kung offer a cat's-eye concept book that makes the ABCs go down easy--and is sure to inspire many a repeat viewing.

Join a charming cast of animal characters as they explore the alphabet in a simplified version of Teagan's beloved Adventures With Barefoot Critters. From gathering honey to building cozy campfires, the friends make the most of every activity, both enjoying the great outdoors and staying snug inside. Learning the alphabet is fun when adventuring with these critters, and children and adults alike will delight in Teagan White's sweet, nostalgic illustrations.

A is for Adoption, B is for Blended Family, C is for Co-Parenting. An ABC of Families celebrates families in every single shape and size, no matter what they look like or whom they include!

Whether you have two dads, an adopted brother, three stepsisters, or divorced parents, every family is the perfect family. This important book helps the youngest children explore complicated concepts in an accessible, fun, and memorable way. Clear, simple language teaches kids about important concepts in a way that's easy to understand.

Each right-hand page includes a brightly decorated letter with the word it stands for and an encouraging slogan. On the left, a colorful illustration and bite-size text sum up the concept. Cheerful people from a range of backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities in all different types of familieslead the way through the alphabet.

• M is for Mom. The main gal(s) in the family.
• L is for Lineage. Where is your family from?
• T is for Traditions. The special things your family does together.
• U is for Unconditional Love. The most magical kind of love!

A sister title to the best-selling An ABC of Equality, this book shows us how to celebrate our differences, share kindness, and understand the world.

One of these things is almost like the others...

Inspired by the picture book Undercover, a sixty-four-page masterpiece of spot-the-odd-one-out published in 2016, comes a series of odd-one-out board books for the youngest readers. Bastien Contraire creates spreads with four to eight images each - all of which belong together, except one that may resemble the others but has no business joining the lot. A teapot amongst sitting cats, a belt amongst snakes, and a feathered hat amongst birds are all hiding in plain site for the delighted toddler to discover giddily! Young readers will exercise skills of categorization and visual acuity in finding the 'poser', and bask in the preposterous silliness.

Take your first steps with Antiracist Baby! Or rather, follow Antiracist Baby's nine easy steps for building a more equitable world.

With bold art and thoughtful yet playful text, Antiracist Baby introduces the youngest readers and the grown-ups in their lives to the concept and power of antiracism. Providing the language necessary to begin critical conversations at the earliest age, Antiracist Baby is the perfect gift for readers of all ages dedicated to forming a just society.