Review: Little Poems for Tiny Ears by Lin Oliver

little poems for tiny ears

Little Poems for Tiny Ears by Lin Oliver, illustrated by Tomie dePaola

Celebrate the wonder of babyhood and toddlerhood with this collection of poems ideal for the youngest listeners.  These poems document the small moments of a child’s early years, seeing these little things as exactly what they are: the foundation of the future.  So each moment is given a gravity by the poems but they are also entirely playful and fun.  There are poems about body parts like noses and tongues, poems about peekaboo and high chairs, poems about naps, others about baths.  Each is short, clever and just right for sharing aloud.

DePaola has illustrated the poems with his signature style, depicting children of all colors and nationalities.  His illustrations embrace the gentleness of the entire book with their soft and bright colors and clear demonstrations of love.

Get this on the shelves right next to Mother Goose, because what you have here is a new classic set of poetry for the little ones.  Appropriate for ages 1-3.

Reviewed from library copy.

Spring 2014 Kids’ Indie Next List

The American Booksellers Association has a preview of their Spring Kids’ Indie Next List which features fifty titles picked by booksellers at independent bookstores from across the nation.  They also select a top ten:

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend The Boundless Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Firefly July and Other Very Short Poems 18079812

Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems selected by Paul B. Janeczko, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Following Papa’s Song by Gianna Marino

Grasshopper Jungle The Secret Box A Snicker of Magic

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

The Secret Box by Whitaker Ringwald

A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

Sparky! The Strange and Beautiful  Sorrows of Ava Lavender

Sparky! by Jenny Offill

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton