Although Helen Oxenbury's Tom and Pippo series is for a young audience, Ivy just discovered them and loves them.  These simple stories are about a toddler named Tom and his stuffed monkey companion, Pippo.  Pippo does everything Tom does - goes to the beach, gets muddy, reads stories, and plays outside.  Half of the pictures are black and white and the other half are color.  They are very pretty!  Try Tom and Pippo and the Washing Machine.

Claire Freedman's A Magical Christmas is not the most exciting of books, but the pictures are filled with adorable mice AND have sparkles.  Who doesn't love sparkles?  We only read this a few times, but it would make for a beautiful gift!

I wish I had known about Helen Oxenbury's Tom and Pippo series when Ivy was younger, although she loves them now. Tom is an adorable toddler who takes Pippo, his stuffed monkey, everywhere, There are only 1-2 sentences per page and only a few pages in each book.  However, the illustrations are beautiful, and the plots are gripping to a two-year old.

Another fabulous Christmas book I have been reading over and over to Ms. Ivy is Karma Wilson's Bear Stays Up For Christmas.  Bear's forest friends wake him from his hibernation the day before Christmas so he will not miss the festivities.  The pictures are adorable and the simple rhyme appeals to Ivy.  This would be a nice gift. 

Ivy is really fascinated by characters now.  Biscuit is a great favorite despite the simple story lines and constant repetition of "Woof Woof".  In this book Biscuit celebrates Christmas Eve with his owner, a little girl, and her family.   He too wants to be involved in the festivities.   Try Alyssa Satin Capucilli's Biscuit's Christmas Eve!

This First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Book by Laura Krauss Melmed is a perfect Thanksgiving book.  The illustrations are beautiful and the portrayal of the peoples is accurate (trust an ex-Plimoth Plantation worker!).  Also, there are hidden bunnies on almost every page.  Ivy loves looking for the bunnies.  Looking for a Thanksgiving gift?  Look no more!

Who knew there were so many books with suilline heroines?  Lucille is not just another pig - she has spunk!  When left behind on a camping trip because she is "too little",  Lucille makes the best of the situation and camps in with her mom.  It ended up being so much fun, she was glad she stayed home.  Ivy recommends Lucille Camps In by Kathryn Lasky!

I am not sure what all the hype is about The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg, but Ivy sure seems to like it.  The plot and pictures are great, but the text itself could be better.  Ivy is really interested in the page with wolves as well as the scene when all the children get hot chocolate.  At any rate, it is one of her first holiday books.  The countdown til Christmas begins! 

Jane Cabrera has a whimsical painting style that really appeals to Ivy.  She also writes about barn animals, another bonus for Ivy.  Ivy can't decide which she likes best - Kitty's Cuddles or Old MacDonald. 

 

I was shocked when Ivy not only allowed me to finish Ella The Elegant Elephant  by Carmella and Steven D'amico, but wanted to read it again!  It is slightly longer than her usual books, but is filled with adorable elephants cavorting in Little Village.  It is about a young elephant named Ella trying to find her place in a new school and a new town. 

Even though this is a bit of a "baby" book, Ivy loves Usbourne's Baby's Very First Series.  On every trip to the library she pulls any book from this series off the shelves.  She loves them because she can "read" them to me.  There is only one word per page with a picture.  An excellent choice for any baby/toddler.  Below is one of her favorites.                        

Ivy's piggy party is getting close.  She will be two in a little over a week.  She is interested in party books.  She has been enjoying Nancy Tafuri's The Barn Party.  It combines parties and farm animals.  What more could a young girl ask for?

Another Victoria Kann book has surfaced as a favorite.  Ivy is quite interested in the plight of young Pinkalicious.  All of her friends now like black.  What is she to do?  Fortunately, she finds a new friend  who appreciates the power of pink.  Check out Purplicious by Victoria Kann. 

How could I forget Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi?  Ivy loves Taro Gomi's books so much she can say his name.  However, pooping sends her into paroxysms of mirth.  This has been a favorite for a few months.  Her only unanswered question is "What does whale poop look like?"  Taro never does tell you. 

Although this was not a favorite of Ivy's at first, it now is!! For all of you Austen fans... A BabyLit board book....Little Miss Austen Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Adams.  It is really cute and a great counting book!  I am anxiously awaiting Little Miss Miss Bronte Jane Eyre.

As fall approaches, Ivy's book tastes turn from beach reads to sleeping animals!  Her latest obsession is How Do You Sleep? by Louise Bonnett-Rampersaud.  She has memorized most of the last words due to the melodic rhymes. 

Mommy, Ivy, and her friend Blayke reading one of Ivy's favorites, Clip-Clop by Nicola Smee.

Ivy's POW: Pick of the Week

A little reading during the hurricane....Ivy just loves Pinkalicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann.  She is going through a 100% pink phase.  This book fits her stage perfectly.  She can even say, "Pinkalicious"!

Ivy's POW: Pick of the Week

Ivy, age 21 months, has been vacationing in Maine and LOVES anything related to the beach.

The bookworm recommends:  Ladybug Girl at the Beach by David Soman and Jacky Davis