Global Babies by the Global Fund for Children

This is a beautiful board book for infants and toddlers that depicts babies from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Each page features a single picture of a baby from countries such as Guatemala, Thailand, Greenland, Mali, the U.S., India, South Africa, Fiji, Peru, Afghanistan, Malawi, Spain, Iraq, Rwanda, and Bhutan. There is a simple line of text on each page that reads in full "Wherever they live, / wherever they go, / whatever they wear, / whatever they feel, / babies everywhere / are beautiful, / special, / and loved." The book was developed by a nonprofit organization called the Global Fund for Children (www.globalfundforchildren.org) and part of the proceeds from the book's sales go to support community based programs directed by the fund around the world.

Our Granny by Margaret Wild

This book is a celebration of Grandmother's who come in all shapes, sizes, and colours. A little boy and girl talk about all of the wonderful things that different Grannies can do, but they put special emphasis on their Granny. The young narrators of the story tell us that some Grannies drive trucks, go to t'ai chi, have friends, wear silky dresses, and make sick people well. It's a wonderful exploration of diversity and perceptions of what "Grannies" like and can do. This is a wonderful book for a preschooler and really emphasizes the importance of family relationships, no matter what your Granny is like. The illustrations were done by Julie Vivas (someone I really admire) and are absolutely beautiful. The Grannies have a wonderful depth, dimension, and simply ooze love and kindness.

Let's Eat by Ana Zamorana

This is a beautifully illustrated book about a family who is expecting a new baby. Every day Mama sends out Antonio, her son, to get the food for the family's mid-day meal. On Monday, Papa can't leave his busy shop. On Tuesday, Antonio's sister Alicia is learning to dance the sevillanas for the summer fiesta. Day after day, when there is an empty seat at the table that Papa built and Mama has filled with inviting food, she sighs, "Ay, que pena! What a pity." Eventually, it is Mama who is missing because it's time for her to have baby the new baby. What children find really delightful about this book is the fact that Antonio has to taken on grown up responsibilities. The text is predictable and reassuringly comfortable for young readers. Children will delight in Antonio's grown-up responsibilities and enjoy the comfortable but unique predictability of the text.The publishers suggest that the book is appropriate for children between the ages of 4-8 years, but I have used it very successfully with 3 year olds. Where to Buy: The book was published in 1999, but it can still be found in major children's book stores as well as through on-line retailers.