One of my favorite board books is The Rainbow Fish, a story about a fish with beautiful, shiny scales. I love the message in this tale: the other fish in the sea admire the Rainbow Fish?s scales and are envious of him. The Rainbow Fish gives many of his scales away, to the other fish. The pictures on the pages towards the end, are of a sea filled with fish, each with one beautiful, shiny scale. What a great lesson about sharing! Sure, the Rainbow Fish is beautiful but having friends and sharing are even more beautiful.

Another favorite of mine is The Runaway Bunny. The child bunny asks his mom what she would do if he runs away. There are a number of scenarios:

?If you run after me, I will become a trout in a stream and I will swim away from you?, the little bunny says. ? If you become a fish in a trout stream, I will become a fisherman and I will fish for you?, his mother says.

?I will be a bird and fly away from you?, says the little bunny. His mother?s reply: ?If you become a bird and fly away from me, I will be a tree that you come home to?.

The scenarios continue, and in all of them the mother finds or rescues her baby. I love the message about moms always being there, no matter what, for their children. It is about the strength and unconditional nature of a mother?s love. Not that a baby or toddler would quite get that from the book, but why not end by saying ?And I will always be here for you, too, my little bunny!? (Okay, corny?but mommies are allowed to be corny).

A third favorite baby/toddler book of mine is Eating the Alphabet. It?s just an “ABC” book but it is about fruits and vegetables. What a fun way to teach kids about their letters and healthy foods! The colors are brilliant; my six month old already responds to them with a smile! Maybe when he is older, we can attempt to ?eat the alphabet? (A is for avocado, B is for broccoli?., and so on).

What are some of your favorite board books?