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We all remember Goodnight Moon and Pat the Bunny, but new parents may not be aware of the great books for babies and toddlers that have been published in the past few years. Check out these awesome new volumes for a treat to share with your little one!

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo
Kevin Lewis
Ages infancy-3 years
All day, the toy steam engine travels, crossing rivers, going over mountains and through tunnels, picking up and discharging passengers and freight. Then the sunsets, darkness falls, and we say goodnight to the little train. Rhyming text and Kirk’s colorful, appealing illustrations make this board book perfect for the youngest readers.
Hyperion, 2001. $6.99.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Mo Willems
Ages 2-6
What small child can resist the chance to tell someone else, “no?” The pigeon really wants to drive the bus, and it is up to young readers to say “no” to all the pigeon’s pleas in order to keep the bus safe. Preschoolers love the chance to shout “no” as the pigeon’s requests become more and more ludicrous. The funny pictures and ridiculousness of the pigeon’s position will have adults as well as children laughing aloud.
Hyperion, 2003. $12.99.

Hondo & Fabian
Ages 2-6
Hondo, a pudgy, largish dog, and Fabian, a pudgy, smallish cat, are good friends. They wake up to a day of adventure! Hondo goes to the beach and plays with his friend Fred. Fabian stays home, unrolls all the toilet paper, and tries to avoid the baby’s attentions. They eat dinner side-by-side and, full and fat, they say goodnight. Peter McCarty’s beautiful illustrations are perfect for this gently amusing story.
Holt, 2002. $16.95.

Inside Freight Train
Donald Crews
Ages 1-5
Young children will not only learn the names of each of the train’s cars (tender, hopper car, gondola car, tank car, etc.); they will also learn the colors, as each car is a different primary or secondary color. Most exciting, however, is the opportunity to slide each car open and see its contents. What preschooler can resist opening the boxcar to find it filled with books or opening the stock car to see pigs, sheep, and baby chicks? Your toddler or preschooler will want to read this one again and again!
Harper, 2001. $9.99.

Time to Pee
Mo Willems
Ages 2-4
You have that funny feeling, but don’t panic. Just excuse yourself, walk down the hall to the bathroom, pull down your underwear, sit or stand, and…pee! Go for it, dude! This simple guide talks toddlers through all the ins and outs of using the toilet. Charming and exuberant mice encourage children each step of the way. A success chart and stickers make this picture book, which has been recommend by the Bulletin for Children’s Books, an excellent choice for potty training.
Hyperion, 2003. $12.99.

S. Chris Saad, Ph.D. owns Chris’ Corner: Books for Kids and Teens, an independent children’s bookstore located at 1940 Pine Street in Philadelphia. Chris’ Corner can be reached at 215-790-1727 or at chrisc@pond.com. All the books reviewed above are available at Chris’ Corner and other independent bookstores.