Hush, Little Dragon by Boni Ashburn, illustrated by Kelly Murphy.

Little Dragon is ready for bed high in the treetop, but he’s very hungry.  So his mother flies off to find him a snack.  Set to the same rhyme and rhythm of Hush Little Baby, his mother returns with all sorts of great things for him to munch on, including a princess, knights, a king, and a queen.   By the end, Little Dragon’s tummy is bulging though it isn’t clear exactly what (or who) he has devoured. 

A classic rhyme made into a picture book that children who enjoy knights and dragons will adore.  The book can be sung or simply read aloud.  The illustrations are lusciously colored and will project well to a group of children. 

A definite winner to add to dragon story times, this book begs to be sung.  Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury.

Two masters of the picture book come together in this book filled with the joy of babies.  Fox’s gentle rhyme carries the book forward and Oxenbury’s illustrations of babies set on a background of white capture the spirit of the text perfectly.  The babies are shown in all skin colors, all happily playing side-by-side.  The length of the text and the book’s gentle spirit make it the perfect first picture book.  I am hopeful that it will come out as a board book so that it can be placed directly into small hands without fear of tearing.  Watch for my favorite little baby with the runny nose.

The perfect book for baby showers, it should also be shared with new older siblings.  Appropriate for ages 0-2.