Tag Archives: almost an alphabet

three picture books that make great baby shower gifts

I’ve got two baby showers on the books in the next couple of months. And, of course, I almost always give at least one picture book to expecting parents.

Baby showers are all about anticipation. Soon, there will be clothes and diapers and bottles and a new life, finally here. And there will be snuggly bedtime rituals for many years. So, there will be stories. Here are three sure to be cherished.

 

51AtPzvSyEL-1SLEEP LIKE A TIGER written by Mary Logue, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski.

This is exquisite, a picture book that could easily be displayed on a coffee table or a child’s bean bag chair. And it’s a bedtime book, that classic genre of children’s fare. It lulls a clever, unsleepy child while connecting to animals of the natural world who also sleep— bats and bears and, of course, tigers. Zagarenski’s signature artwork is truly dreamy to behold.

 

 

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51xIniVxYsLSEASONS by Blexbolex.

 

This has the feel of a classic even though it was published in 2010. And what better metaphor for parenthood (childhood, life) than seasons, right? Each spread contains screen prints labeled in a way that tells us something deeper about barren trees or lush greenery. It’s a book to look at, to spend time with, and to spur the reader on to someday moments spent outside.

 

 

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51q+TUfsbVL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_ALMOST AN ALPHABET by Katie Viggers.

This will teach a child the alphabet when the time comes, but it will do more than that. It explores animals, from all the different kinds of bears to the luminosity of jellyfish. The artwork is gently comic and delightful.And there’s a yeti, and yetis are automatic crowd-pleasers. This is an alphabet book any artist of any age will appreciate.

 

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Is there a picture book you always give at baby showers? Do tell!

 

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Guys, these two books by Katie Viggers! They’re imaginative and charming and all about animals. How perfect to be paired.

THE PAIR:

Almost an Alphabet

&

1 to 20, Animals Aplenty

 

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“A whimsical A to Z” indeed!

From anteater to zebra, Katie Viggers incorporates elements of soft and hard, beautiful and raw, humor with factual animal identification.

 

 

 

 

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What other ABC book includes the real (and one made up—spectacled) types of bears, the drawing-anatomy of two kinds of elephants, and a Yeti?! And those jellyfish are shimmeringly gorgeous.

 

From Almost an Animal Alphabet by Katie Viggers, published by POW!

 

 

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“A counting book with animals.” We’ve heard that before, but not like this! 1 to 20 has the trifecta of children’s literature winners: animals, numbers, AND rhymes!

 

 

 

 

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And I love it. Where else are you going to get “10 kangaroos in their favorite shoes?” Oh those different shoes to spot! Birks, ballet slippers, Converse, Uggs, and Crocs look-alikes are all included.

 

These books are sure to delight anyone and everyone who gets their paws or claws or tentacles on them.

 From 1 to 20, Animals Aplenty by Katie Viggers, published by POW!

 

 

Thanks to powerHouse Books for the images!

I received a review copy from POW; opinions are my own. 

 

See three other alphabet books that sweep me off my feet here.