Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr & John Archambault

This is a bold and beautiful alphabet book that has been delighting children for 20 years! Brilliant colors and simple graphics fill each polka-dot bordered page as the alphabet begins its adventurous journey to the top of a coconut tree, twice. The rhymes in the book are irresistible and fun to be read again and again. With verses like "Whee!" said D to E F G, "I'll beat you to the top of the coconut tree" it's a fun way to help young children learn the alphabet. I found the coconut tree and Velcro alphabet at Lakeshore Learning, and it has proven to be the perfect companion piece to the book. It gives children lots of hands on experience with the alphabet and is a great alternative to magnet letters (just in case you don't have appliances that they won't stick to). What's really great about the idea behind Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is that you there are a whole range of other products, such as alphabet blocks, magnet books, musical shakers, and number books that can be used to help reinforce alphabet learning in a fun and interactive way.

Where to Buy: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is such a popular book you can find it in almost any outlet that sells children's books. I've only found the tree at Lakeshore Learning.

Brightlings Exploration Station by Leap Frog

Home to Bobblers, Tumble Tunnel, Babbling Bandshell, Rainbow Balcony, and Alphabet Alley, the Brightlings Exploration Station offers a world of exciting activities for young children. This toy has two different modes, toddler and baby, which you activate by turning the green part on the top to hide the number or reveal them. In baby mode children can drop the brightling playpals in through the top and they come to the bottom which triggers music. In fact, just about every action on the toy triggers a song, except for the open/close gate and the yellow/blue/red tags you pull. When the toy is in toddler mode it will tell you how to say hello and goodbye in German, French, Japanese, Spanish, and English when you open/close the gate. You can move the tab around the ABC's so it sings the ABC song. It will also sing a number song when you drop the pals into the chute. Strengths: It's a fun toy to explore and you can easily use it with the other Brightlings play sets. Weaknesses: There is actually a HUGE weakness with this toy. It clearly states on the box that children under three years should not use it because of choking hazards on small parts, but the toy is obviously marketed for a much younger audience. It has a baby and a toddler mode, not a preschooler mode. This is a fun toy to play with, but you need to keep a very close eye on your little one when he or she uses it. Price: $20 - $30. Where to Buy: The toy was widely available about three years ago, but now you can only find them on sites like eBay or through online toy retailers.

Alphabet Nesting & Stacking Blocks by Melissa & Doug

Stacking and nesting toys are great favourites for most toddlers. This set of alphabet blocks is beautifully illustrated and light enough for little children to handle easily. Each cube (except the 'z' cube) features two or three alphabet letters with whimsical drawings of items beginning with those letters. The blocks, which can be stacked into a 3 foot tall tower by letter, colour, or size, come in a handy carrying case that let's you store all of them in a single box. Strengths: These cubes are light and easy to manipulate and have a laminated wipe clean surface for easy cleaning. Weaknesses: Because these are made of cardboard they aren't that durable and will wear out quickly if your child likes to knock them over or use them in a rough manner. Price: $9-$10. Where to Buy: Melissa & Doug Toys are available at Toys R Us, but can also be found at their online store (http://www.melissaanddoug.com/), or at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/).

Discovery Ball by Leap Frog

This is a mixed blessing toy - it's educational, but it can promote some very isolated, non- social play in children who have a tendency to be a bit more solitary in their play. The ball lights up and plays music when you spin it, which is a great cause-effect lesson for young children. The ball can also be removed from the stand and played with more independently by older children. Strengths: It's a toy that can be used in different ways at different ages, so it is a good play value for your money. Weaknesses: As was mentioned before, this can be a very isolating toy for children. Some children become so caught up in the lights, music, and spinning motion that it precludes them from using the toy in a social way. Price: The original version of the toy (pictured) is no longer manufactured, but you can get collector's items on places like Amazon for about $70. A newer version of the toy Leap Frog Spin and Sing Alphabet Zoo is also available for about $16-$18. Where to Buy: The Spin & Sing Alphabet Zoo is available at Toys R Us, Wal Mart, Target, or anywhere Leap Frog Toys are available.