According to a March 7 article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer the number of teens reading, checking out and buying books has been steadily increasing since 1999. While some credit the “Harry Potter” phenomenon, many others note the importance of young reader programs that encourage toddlers and infants to explore books along with their first steps.
In honor of National Library Week, the St. Charles Children's Learning Center at the College of Southern Maryland's La Plata campus presents a list of books popular among the youngest generation of readers.
Infants
“Touch and Feel Baby Animals” by Dorling Kindersley Corp
“Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister
“Jamberry” “by Bruce Degen
Toddfants
“Big Red Barn” by Margaret Wise Brown and Felicia Bond
“Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
“Blankie” “and “Binky” by Leslie Patricelli
Toddlers
“Snuggle Puppy” by Sandra Boynton
“Five Little Monkeys” (series) by Elleen Christelow
“Mrs. Wishy-Washy” by Joy Cowley and Elizabeth Fuller
Twos I
“Down by the Station” by Will Hillenbrand
“Digger Man” “by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha
“Snip Snap! What's That?” by Mara Bergman and Nick Maland
Twos II
“Little Quack” by Lauren Thompson and Derek Anderson
“I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!” by Karen Beaumont and David Catrow
Threes
“Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault and Lois Ehlert
“Big Green Monster” by Ed Emberley and Anne Miranda
“Piggy Pie!” “by Margie Palatini and Howard fine
Fours
“Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg
“Down by the Station” by Will Hillenbrand
“Curious George” by H. A. Rey
For information on the learning center, call 301-934-7871 or 301-870-3008, Ext. 7871 for Charles County; 240-725-5499, Ext. 7871 for St. Mary's County or 443-550-6199, Ext. 7871 for Calvert County or visit http://www.csmd.edu/clc/.