Great Picture Book Series for a  Three-to-Six-Year-Old "Girly Girl"

One of the most frequent requests I got as a bookseller went something like this "I'm looking for a picture book for a five-year-old girl who loves princess books and is something of a "girly girl'." The term "girly girl" would often be accompanied by a facial expression that made me think the customer smelled something bad (not me I hope), and the statement would usually be followed by "I'm so tired of princess books" or "I hate that she likes princess books."

Two series matching the "girly girl" and "not-a-princess-book" criteria that always sprang to mind were Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann and Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor. The series I always recommended first was Fancy Nancy, not only because Nancy is an awsomely fierce "girly girl," but because each and every one of her books brings language, other cultures (specifically French), and the fun of learning alive for young readers, while wrapping it up in a package as fancy as Nancy herself. So little girls reading Fancy Nancy can embrace their inner "girly girl" and parents can feel good about the fact that their daughters will be learning about the joys of language and other cultures as well as receiving positive life lessons.

And the Fancy Nancy catalogue now extends beyond the five picture books currently available, Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet being the most recent, to beginning readers and chapter books so that lovers of Fancy Nancy and her expoits (and there are many; parents included) can grow up with her and not discard her friendship once they have put picture books down for good. As Nancy herself would say "Ooh la la"!

I would also like to mention a new series self-published by my friend Brenda Bradley about a little girl named Maya who makes discoveries about the world around her. I haven't had the privilege of reading it yet, but knowing Brenda's sensibilities and her love of teaching, I feel confident that it would be perfect for any little girl interested in the world around her. You will find the link after the Fancy Nancy links.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/426625.Fancy_Nancy
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12264509-fancy-nancy-and-the-mermaid-ballet
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13119928-fancy-nancy
http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?type=&keyWords=Brenda+Bradley&sitesearch=lulu.com&q=&x=23&y=10

Great Father's Day Picture Book for a Toddler to Give to Dad

With Father's Day only a week away everyone is scrambling to find the perfect gift for dad. Even the youngest of children want to get in on the festivities and choose something he'll love. And what better way to do that than to treat him to something he can share with his child.

There are many suitable picture books that celebrate dad including these favorites of mine: Daddy Kisses, by Anne Gutman; What Dads Can't Do, by Douglas Wood; The Very Best Daddy of All, by Marion Bauer; and Daddy Hugs, by Karen Katz. My personal favorite, however, is I Love My Daddy, by Sebastian Braun and the book I suggested most when asked to recommend a Father's Day gift from a toddler.

The simple story joins a father and son bear on a day of noisy play together that turns into one of quiet compassion as the sun goes down revealing the many sides of the loving relationship they share. Its beautiful illustrations bathe the characters in a golden light that also swaddles the reader in its warmth making the book ideal for a quiet nighttime read.

We used to feature I Love My Daddy during our Father's Day storytime and the children were so mezmerized by its large size, simple, understandable message; and vibrant illustrations that you really could have heard a pin drop; a remarkable feat considering the fact that our weekly storytimes drew huge crowds. If this book can charm a roomful of young children in a bookstore, just think of what it will do for daddy as he cuddles up to read to the child he loves.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/993176.I_Love_My_Daddy

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/276553.Daddy_Kisses

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1044325.The_Very_Best_Daddy_Of_All

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/267463.Daddy_Hugs

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/970694.What_Dads_Can_t_Do