As you are shaping your child's beginning home library, there are three types of books to look for in filling the bookshelves.
1. Classics

There are really two kinds of classics: the ones that you read as a child and the new classics that have come out in the intervening years. Your child's bookshelf should have some of both. Reading the books that you grew up on gives you a chance to share that connection with your child. Maybe these books don't honor the faster pace of today's child or use the latest research on teaching to the developing brain of a toddler. But they mean something to
you, and that's important. Many also have a place as cultural reference that continues through generations. (Hello Man in the Yellow Hat.) Such books like
Curious George;
Madeline; Goodnight Moon, Corduroy, Where the Wild Things Are, Bread and Jam for Frances, and
The Cat in the Hat belong on every child's bookshelf. You may have some books from your own childhood that are special to you that you should also share. New Classics are ones that you'll see featured at any bookstore, like
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom;
The Hungry Caterpillar, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!; Clifford the Big Red Dog; Guess How Much I Love You; and
Fancy Nancy. Here's a hint on finding the New Classics: they often have a line of related merchandise. I'm not condoning it, I'm just saying'.
2. Mulitcultural/Diverse

Reading is one of the first ways that we see the greater world around us, so take the opportunity to widen that exposure with books that are diverse and multicultural. In looking for books featuring children of color, I've become fond of the illustrator Randy Cecil who used a great cast of characters in
Looking for a Moose and
How Do You Wokka-Wokka? (written by Phyllis Root and Elizabeth Bluemie, respectively). Kadir Nelson brings his art to life in every book he illustrates, but young readers will especially enjoy
Please, Puppy, Please. Grace Lin incorporates Asian children and themes in the many, picture books she has written and illustrated - like in
Kite Flying and you'll find Hispanic themes in the works of Pat Mora and Tony Johnson, among many others.

Explore the world without leaving home in the wonderful picture books of Barbara Kerley, with photos from National Geographic - like
You and Me Together. Start even younger with the board books like
Global Babies or broaden the concept with
If the World Were a Village. Think about different kinds of families with
The Family Book by Todd Parr (speaking of children of color, you'll see all the colors of rainbow represented here - literally) or
And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell which tells the story of two male penguins who raise an egg together.
3. Art

If you're stuck on buying a book, look for the one with great art. I don't mean books with classic artwork in them - though I am fond of the
Metropolitan Museum series - but instead books that have amazing illustrations. Step into the art of Steve Jenkins in books like
Actual Size or the surreal world of David Wiesner in
Flotsam or the perfect spareness of Peter Reynolds in
Ish. Investigate the soft tone of Jon Muth or the lively colors of David Diaz. Compare the watercolors of E. B. Lewis to the scratchboard work of Beth Krommes. Find books that are illustrated with beauty, style, and creativity and you'll likely find yourself in possession of very, very good books.
(This post was previously published at PBS Booklights.)
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