Pre-School Book Suggestions

One of the best parts of my job as a teacher-librarian is that I get to do a big book shop once or twice a year. And while I support my local bookstore, Armchair Books, as much as possible, nothing beats Kidsbooks in Vancouver for selection and knowledgeable staff. I spent a few hours there on Friday, and had two staff members helping me out.

Here were some of the top pre-school picks of the day:

Read It, Don’t Eat It by Ian Schoenherr. Greenwillow Books, 2009.
All school libraries need a copy of this book, which explains book care with simple statements and clear, fun illustrations. Would also be a great read for the preschool set who haven’t figured out the difference between library books and colouring books.

One World, One Day by Barbara Kerley. National Geographic, 2009.
Follow children around the world through one day, and discover all the similarities we share. We get up, we eat, we go to school, we work we play. Told with spare language and the stunning photography one expects from National Geographic.

One by Kathryn Otishi. KO Kids Books, 2008.
This simple book is illustrated with little more than blobs of colour on white background, and yet those colours take on personalities as Red bullies Blue and the other colours. It isn’t until One comes along that they learn to stand up to the bully and make everyone count.