Can you guess what these objects have in common? Give up? Well they are all characters in three brand new concept books you can find at the San Jose Public Library. Most children’s librarians will agree that a concept book is “a book intended for young children that focuses on colors, shapes, sizes, number and counting, and the alphabet.”  The following are new ones that I enjoyed and I think children will too:

Perfect Square by Michael Hall: It starts with a “perfect square that has four matching corners and four equal sides and is perfectly happy.”  As the week progresses our perfect square changes into things that are different but make him just as happy. Beautiful colors, beautiful shapes, a perfect book. Enjoy!

Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray: A young girl bakes an apple pie and her pup wakes up to the delicious smell. He definitely wants a taste! He is Eager for it, he Jumps for it, he Ogles it, he Pines for it and so on through the alphabet. Will pup ever get a taste of that apple pie? Check out Apple Pie ABC to find out and learn the alphabet too!

Pete the Cat, I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin: Meet Pete the Cat who is wearing white shoes that he just loves so much that he sings about them.  But do they stay white, of course not. Follow Pete throughout his day as his shoes turn so many colors. Here’s a great clip of the author, Eric Litwin and illustrator James Dean performing their book!

The library has many groovy music CD’s for children. Introducing music to children can help them learn about rhyme, math, the alphabet, rhythm, dance, and encourage them to develop a sense of self. Through music kids will learn about animals, fruits, vegetables, body parts & movement, nursery rhymes and many cultures.

Here are some of the most remarkable music CD's I have found for children: Putumayo for Kids Collection (music from cultures all over the world), Smithsonian Folkways children's music collection (some oldies but goodies), The Laurie Berkner Band (all original songs about rocket ships, dinosaurs, and more). Just get silly, dance, sing songs, and have fun!

Browse our complete collection

&

here are some companion books!

The Family Book by Todd Parr is a wonderful book that describes the different types of families people can be a part of.  There are many different types of families in this book, but they all have love for each other in common.   Very easy to read, so you can read it again and again and try to remember all the  differences and similarities of families each time you read it! 

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?  This is a book of rhyme, repetition, primary colors, and animals.  Children can participate and they love the book.  They want to hear it over and over.

It is a children’s picture book written and illustrated by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle, and the book is designed to help toddlers associate colors and meanings to objects.  It features a Brown Bear, Red Bird,…….

The book is short with only 22 pages, has a lot colorful pictures, targeted for preschool and younger children and is fiction.

_____________________ 

Oso Pardo, Oso Pardo, Que Ves Ahi?

Este es un libro de rimas, de repetición, de colores primarios, y de animales. Los niños participan y les encanta el libro. Ellos quieren oírlo una y otra vez.
 

Es un libro para niños de que empiezan a leer fue escrito por por Bill Martin Jr. y Eric Carle produjo la ilustracion.  El libro está diseñado para ayudar a los niños a asociar los colores y significados de los objetos.  Entre ellos aprarece un un oso pardo, un pájaro rojo, ... ....
 

El libro es corto, con sólo 22 páginas, tiene muchas fotos de colores, dirigidos a los niños en edad preescolar o menores y es ficción.

_____________________ 

Bhūre bhālū, bhūre bhālū, tuma kyā dekha rahe? = Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? / by Bill Martin, Jr. ; pictures by Eric Carle ; Hindi translation by Awadhesh Misra.