The sooner children are exposed to a wide variety of books and healthy foods, the more likely it is that they will become essential ingredients in their recipe for life. They watch and listen to everything those around them say and do.
So, if you're reading, they're more likely to read, or look at books. If you're eating broccoli, then chances are they will try it too. If you put the two together, the combination becomes a powerful recipe for a wonderful life.
And so, I'd like to share some simple, yet powerful picture books for toddlers and preschoolers. Here are a few of my favorites:
The Carrot Seed Board Book
I can't put my finger on why this book reminds me of Goodnight Moon, but maybe it's because both of them leave me speechless! Reading each of them is like listening to beautiful music (an orchestra, perhaps) and then sitting in silence for a moment before you clap. You just can't explain why it touched you the way it did. Well, it probably has to do with the fact that it's about so much more than just a carrot seed.
So, if you haven't read The Carrot Seed yet, please run to the library and pick on up now! It's one of those picture books that people of every age will appreciate. Who ever said board books are just for babies?
Vegetable Garden (Voyager Books)
A few key words, combined with vibrant illustrations, bring gardening to life in a big way for young ones.
Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z (Harcourt Brace Big Book)
Vegetables, letters, words, vivid colors...What's not to like?
Does your toddler or preschooler have any favorite gardening-related picture books? Please feel free to add to the list. We can make our own garden of reading!
If you'd like to continue reading, the next post in this series is called Planting the Seeds of Healthy Eating.
