Ask Design Mom: Books for Toddler Boys (first posted 10/25/06)

Ask-Design-Mom Question:
Amy writes: I wanted to start my Christmas shopping and was thinking about which books I could purchase for my boys, age 1 and 2 1/2. I'm at a loss. They are into all things boy. . .trucks and animals and fire engines, etc. I saw your Caldecott winner list, and purchased The Ox-Cart Man, but was wondering if you could make a Top Ten Books for Toddler Boys list or something like that. Thanks for your help!

Design Mom Answer:
So many excellent questions have been coming in lately. I love it! Just for you, Amy, I went through my library then called on two friends, Juliane and Rebecca (both mothers of 4 boys), for more recommendations. And here it is, in no particular order:

Design Mom's List of Picture Books for Toddler Boys

1 Where the Wild Things Are
2 Curious George
3 Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
4 Little Bear
5 We're Going on a Bear Hunt
6 Big Red Barn
7 Make Way for Ducklings
8 Eric Carle's From Head to Toe
9 Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb
10 Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
11 Richard Scarry's Things that Go
12 Goodnight Gorilla
13 The Napping House
14 Kitten's First Full Moon
15 Are You My Mother?

Of course, there are others I've already recommended and dozens more that are awesome that didn't make my list, but I thought 15 was a good starting place. I know my readers will have many great ideas to add to these. Please do so!