Play With Me: Children's Books [Part 2]

By: Shannon Mallery, Program Assistant Sr. - Mature Adults

We're continuing the Play With Me series focused on children's books that you can read to the special children in your life over your device. We have chosen books that are the core of "The books I would bring to a desert island" list. They are fun, interesting and easy to read to little ones.

Each week's post will have a "review" of five books suitable for children two to five years of age but will most assuredly be loved by you and slightly older siblings as well. 

Tips:
  • Some of the books are not currently in print but can be found on used booksellers' websites.
  • You may want to consider having your little one follow along with their own copy.
  • When reading make sure you are in a well lit area and that your child can hear you clearly.
  • Hold the picture up to the screen for a little bit when you are done reading each page so that your little one can see it.
  • Read the book out loud a few times to yourself before reading it to your child so that you can add emphasis as you read.

SHHH! I'm Sleeping
By: Dorothee de Monfried
Gecko Press
Read time: 2 minutes 30 seconds


SHHH! I'm Sleeping is a funny shortish book about a bunch of dogs that share a bedroom who are "trying" to go to sleep. They have cute names and distinct looks that make them interesting to children. Each one handles lights out time in a different way that gives you a sense of their personality and makes them seem like a dog you might know.

What Mary Jo Shared
By: Janice May Udry
Pictures by: Eleanor Mill
Harcourt Brace & Company
Read time: 8 minutes


Mary Jo's class has sharing time but Mary Jo has trouble thinking of just what to share. Most of the things she wants to share have been shared by her classmates already. She thinks about what to share while she is awake and asleep until one day she has an idea. Her choice is perfect but a little unconventional. Luckily it is not the elephant she dreamed she might share but, it is rather large. What Mary Jo Shared is an engaging story that peeks into the life of a thoughtful creative little girl.

Under the Hood
By: Merlin
Candlewick Press
Read time: 3 minutes 30 seconds


Warning this book contains bathroom humor.

Under the Hood is a map cap adventure for the under six crowd. Mr. Bear has a garage, a car that won't run and some fellow mechanics that make life more interesting. There are fold out flaps, vehicles, tools and food in this book. There are also a few bathroom jokes but not to spoil the surprise too much I will let you discover them for yourself. This book is fun for everyone but for a certain group of children (my son included) it has every element needed to create a perfect piece of literature.

Wonder Bear
By: Tao Nyeu
Jacket design by: Lily Malcom
Dial Books for Young Readers a division of Penguin Young Readers Group
Read time: 4 minutes 30 seconds


Wonder Bear is a enchantingly illustrated book of only pictures that follows two children on a magical adventure with land and sea animals. Each page could launch a thousand days dreams with their vibrant "wondrous" illustrations. You and your little one will find yourselves imagining your are flying high above the sea seeing magical sights and playing extraordinary games right along with Wonder bear and his friends.

You Are Stardust
By: Elin Kelsey
Artwork by: Soyeon Kim
Owlkids Books is a division of Bayard Canada
Read time: 3 minutes and 30 seconds


You Are Stardust is a unique storybook that reveals science for the marvelous thing that it is. In a powerful yet graceful way it rouses in young readers the idea that we are all connected, people, nature, animals and that we are part of a time continuum, together. It is a lovely and timely book that reminds us that we are all beautifully connected. Still connected, and will be connected, always.


Next week we will continue the Play With Me: Children's books series. We would also love to hear your suggestions for your favorite books to read to the young children in your life in the comments section below. Stay happy, healthy, safe and engaged and remember to Play More with DPR!

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