Hello, Book Nerds! Welcome back to Reading Has Ruined My Life or welcome if you are new. As always, my name is Hannah and I am your captain on this journey into my bookcases.
At the end of 2022 I made a 2023 Bingo Card. The idea was for me to predict things I thought would happen this year. It’s kinda my manifestation board. Except I kinda suck at predicting things. Save for one square! “Someone I know has baby/gets pregnant.” Yeah, I manifested that one too hard cause I know at least half a dozen people who are expecting.
So once again I am back with five books to buy for baby showers. You know the drill, you’ve been invited to a baby shower and have been asked to bring a baby book in place of a card. NEVER! EVER! Buy The Cat in the Hat for a baby shower. Half the guests will think to buy the classics like The Very Hungry Caterpillar or Goodnight Moon and then the parents-to-be are stuck with ten copies of the same book that they can’t return or exchange cause people have written cute little notes in them.
So do better. Buy the parents-to-be one of these books. I have two other listicles just like this one if you need some more inspiration. You can find those posts here and here. Enjoy!
5. Kicking off our list isn’t any certain book. Is this cheating? Maybe, but this is my blog after all and the idea I have is great. Buy holiday books. Valentine’s Day? Get a book. Halloween? Get a book. Christmas? Get a book. Thanksgiving? Get a book. Get the parents-to-be a collection of holiday books. People don’t think to buy kids holiday centric books until the holiday rolls around. Now these new parents will be ahead of the game, and they’ll thank you for it.
4. Time for the first actual book on this list. Meet Dinosaur Dance! by Sandra Boynton. Dancing Dinos, what more do you want? Dinosaur Dance! is a lively little read full of fun rhyming words to grab baby’s attention. Reading books that are fun, colorful, and lively are a great way to show baby just how much fun reading is. And again, dinosaurs!
3. Next up is A Strange Bird: It’s Good to Be a Bit Different by Michael Engler and Joëlle Tourlonias. First things first, look at how cute the baby dragon is!! It looks like a little baby cow with wings! I need a plushie of it stat! Now that that’s out of the way, let me tell you a bit about this one. A Strange Bird is about accepting oneself. The premise is this little dragon lives with birds, but can’t do the things his bird family does. But he doesn’t give up, and his family doesn’t give up on him. In the end, winter has come early and the forest animals aren’t ready but our little baby dragon is able to make a fire and keep everyone warm. He’s come to embrace his strengths and has fully accepted himself; as does his family. It’s a sweet tale with some adorable illustrations.
2. Try some interactive books. May I suggest Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden. It’s full of cutouts for baby to interact and engage with while guessing what animals and people are hiding behind colorful illustrations. Interactive books are great for teaching baby things like animals. Honestly, if you can, interactive board books are a great route to go down when buying gifts for a baby shower. Highly recommend.
1. Perhaps you’ve heard of this next one. It has captured the minds of parents for nearly two decades now, but I do think it has become forgotten about in recent years. Meet Emma Kate by Patricia Polacco. Emma Kate is the story of a girl with an imaginary friend who does everything with her. Patricia Polacco is also this book’s illustrator and the drawings are oh so delightful. As is the story. It’s one of friendship and imagination. This story is geared towards toddlers and up so if you buy this one for a baby shower, it will stay on the shelf for quite a few years.
Thus endeth our list. I hope I’ve been able to give you some inspiration for the next time you’re invited to a baby shower. Just remember, never buy The Cat in the Hat. You can do far better. With that, I must bid you all adieu. I shall return next week with a new review.
Until then, stay safe, wash your hands, and read some good books for me.
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