Miss Mary Mack by Mary Ann Hoberman

This is a great hand-clapping, rhyming book for toddlers. Our 21-month old asks for it by name (almost): “Mack!” The tune may be familiar – it’s existed as a playground rhyme for some time, and as a folk song since the Civil War era (thanks, Wikipedia!). The repetition may drive some parents mad, but little tots seem to like it. (And that’s what the chorus in a song is all about.)

The illustrations are bright, with lots of things to point to and talk about. You can turn it into meandering story on your own, if you don’t care for the rhyme. We have the board book edition, which doesn’t have the hand-jive instructions or the tune, but you can find either of those on the online if you so desire. We just make up our own.

Silly Sally by Audrey Wood

A fun rhyming story chronicling the physically impossible adventures of Silly Sally, who dances backwards, upside down. The watercolor illustrations are very cartoon-like, and tots will like to point out each animal Sally meets on her way to town. This one is suitable for toddlers up to preschoolers.

The Napping House by Audrey Wood

Another one by Audrey Wood and a great pre-nap or bedtime book, this one may leave you sleepy as well. It’s set on a drizzly day, the kind that evokes naps in even the most stalwart of non-nappers. Each person and creature in the house successively piles on the bed for a little snooze (grandma, granddaughter, dog, cat, mouse), until a wakeful flea disturbs the peace. The illustrations are beautiful, the story is fun, and even older kids will enjoy it.