Early Literacy

Champaign-Urbana had a special visitor last week, Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, who spoke about the importance of early literacy in his talk, "Books Build Better Brains: Wanderings at the Intersection of Children's Literature and Early Brain Development" for the Gryphon Lecture series at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science.  Dr. Navsaria is a rare doctor who studied both pediatrics and children's literature at The University of Illinois while obtaining his M.D. and later, M.S. in Library and Information Science.   He shared a fabulous hand-out on the Developmental Milestones of Early Literacy from Reach Out and Read, documenting not only the cognitive milestones in early literacy, but the motor milestones in early literacy as well.  Most importantly, it gives practical suggestions for parents and caregivers to support early literacy.  -Elaine B.

Claire Freedman's Board Books

Claire Freedman's board books are bigger than usual and wonderful for parent/child sharing time. A Cuddle for Little Duck has a bouncy, rhyming text just right for toddlers to enjoy. The pastel pictures complement the text which expresses the loving relationship between parent and child.Lively rhymes describe the young duck disovering the wonders around her.
You're My Little Bunny is a similar type book with little bunny exploring his day along with his mother. Both of these books are great as a transition to easy picture books due to their toddler friendly, rhyming text which is longer than board books aimed at babies. So, come to the Urbana Free Library for these (and other) quality board books for you and your toddler to enjoy together. Janet

Thompson's Mouse Books for Toddlers

Lauren Thompson has a series of books called "Mouse's First" that are just right for toddlers. The brief text contains wonderfully descriptive phrases and sound words (like Yippee and Swish) that toddlers will enjoy hearing and repeating. The happy little mouse enjoys encountering many "firsts" in each book with his mom or dad mouse alongside. The illustrations are simple acrylic paintings of rounded shapes that radiate the warmth between little mouse and his parents.

The Urbana Free Library has 8 of "Mouse's First" books for your enjoyment including Mouse's First Spring, Mouse's First Summer, Mouse's First Day of School, and Mouse's First Snow. So, come on over to the Urbana Free Library and check out one of these books to share with your favorite toddler. Janet R.