babybug magazine

Recommended Birth to age 4.  From the creators of Cricket Magazine, Baby Bug Magazine publishes short, illustrated stories for pre-developing readers.  The magazine, published nine times a year, features around six separate illustrated stories or poems in each issue.  Stories are illustrated in a variety of artists in different styles, including soft watercolors, and bold charcoals.  The magazine is small, a good size for a younger reader to hold, and printed on thicker paper than other magazines from the publisher.  A subscription to the magazine will bring fresh read-alouds, and gives adults access to parenting guides via the Cricket website.  As soon as children grow out of the level of magazine, it is free to transfer to the next level up; a great benefit with rapidly growing readers! Recommended, ***

Hippo Hurray!

Recommended birth to age 4.  Sandra Boynton's hilarious counting hippos book has been made into a board book surely to be enjoyed by a new generation of readers.  This new edition brings Boynton's fun, costumed, rolly-polly hippos along, against boldly colored backdrops.  One hippo all alone is quickly joined by an increasing number of hippo pals (and a monster!).  Once the party goes berserk, the hippos are forced to counting down again to one.  The new edition in sturdy cardboard will be able to withstand many hippo parties, or silly bedtimes, and will be ready to pass on to the next generation.  Highly recommended, ****.

Rosemary Well's Twinkling Star

Recommended for Birth to 4. The bunnies are back! Rosemary Wells, the fabulous creator of the Max and Ruby books has created another lovely addition to her nursery collection with the boardbook Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (Scholastic, 2006). She illustrates a classic nursery song but offers a lovely lesser-known verse and combines it with rich illustrations of bedtime rituals. The night sky is richly illusrated  in deep hues and blues, making her bunny family stand out in comforting comparison, safe inside their home.  Accompanying each page, Wells includes star chart constellations that will be interesting for parents and older siblings alike. Wells uses familiar figures and familiar rhymes to create an overall cozy nighttime read-aloud that can be enjoyed over and over again. Recommended, ****