Born to Read Holidays
Born to Read is the MHC’s early literacy program, sharing the joys—and importance—of reading to children with daycare providers and other early childhood educators statewide. This year, make a gift to a daycare in need as well as a child you know with books from the Born to Read collection: for each book gift you make, we’ll give a corresponding gift to a needy daycare.
Choose from four themed book groups ($150 each), or select any book(s) from these groups for individual purchase ($50 each). Or, you can give a gift of funding, plain and simple, to Born to Read. Download a PDF of the order form to mail in your order, or call 207-773-5051 (toll-free: 1-866-637-3233).
All about Families
The Hello, Goodbye Window
by Norton Juster & Chris Raschka (Illustrator)
Nanna and Poppa’s kitchen window is not any ordinary window: it is the center of their granddaughter’s visits, especially when those treasured visits begin and end. From the perspective of a little girl, this is an imaginative and warm story of family, love, and fun. A Caldecott Medal winner for illustration in 2006.
(Ages 4 - 8)
Thanks to the Animals
by Allen Sockabasin & Rebekah Raye (Illustrator) This charming tale from a Passamaquoddy (Maine Native American) storyteller follows Baby Zoo Sap’s family as they travel north for the winter. When the wideeyed infant tumbles off the back of the family sled while everyone else is asleep, Zoo Sap’s crying attracts first a pair of beavers, then a moose, then a bear, and soon a whole pile of animals who gather together to keep him warm. Raye’s warm illustrations reflect the harmony between people and nature. A special feature of this book is a list of Passamaquoddy words for all the animals!
(Ages 3 - 8)
My New Baby
by Annie Kubler (Illustrator) This board book tells a story purely through pictures about a little boy’s new infant sibling. It reflects the excitement that many young children experience with a new baby in the house, and shows the positive experiences the little boy has. The absence of words makes this a wonderful book for children just learning to “read” on their own. In Born to Read programs, it always invites conversation—an important facet of early literacy development.
(Ages 0 - 4)
All about Animals
Little Dog
by Lisa Jahn-Clough
Little Dog is a city dog, roaming the streets for food, being ignored or chased away. Rosa, an artist, can’t find inspiration; her artwork only reflects the gloom of her neighborhood. When she and Little Dog meet and take a trip to the country, both suddenly begin to see all the color that had always been around them. This sweet, gentle tale of friendship is written and illustrated by a Maine author.
(Ages 4 & up)
Song of the Water Boatman
by Joyce Sidman & Beckie Prange (Illustrator) This lyrical book brings poetry and ecology together with beautiful verses about pond life and fascinating tidbits about the critters in question (spring peepers, caddis flies, and the water bear, to name a few). And did you know that wood ducklings dive from nests of tremendous heights when they are barely fledged? Nature in crisp, realistic illustrations and compelling text.
(Ages 5 - 12)
Peek-a-Who?
by Nina Laden This board book is full of bold and colorful imagery, with curious pop-ups and rhymes introducing a cow, ghost, zebra, and finally a mirror to reflect the child. Infants will delight in listening to and learning to “read” this book to themselves.
(Ages 0 - 3)
All for Babies
This Little Chick
by John Lawrence
This little chick is a clever one, adopting the language of the other barnyard animals as he makes his rounds. The vivid and crisp illustrations are huge, a delight to young children (and to the adults reading to them). The story directly encourages children to participate and guess what the little chick will say and do next. This edition was a New York Times Best Illustrated Book in 2002.
(Ages 0 - 3)
Simms Taback’s Big Book of Words
by Simms Taback A sturdy little book designed for active use by little hands, Simms Taback presents a fun learning opportunity for infants. Using one vivid watercolor per page, along with a word that describes it, this is a stellar picture dictionary, divided into categories of playthings, clothing, food, and animals. Babies just learning to identify familiar objects excitedly anticipate each page, many of which suggest a theme (shoes following socks in the clothing section, for example). Small children will love shouting out the words they have just learned.
(Ages 0 - 3)
Peekaboo Baby
by Margaret Miller For infants first learning about books, photographs provide excellent visual stimulation—and there are few things that babies love more to look at than other babies. This tough board book is a favorite among very young readers, who swiftly memorize the simple words and “read” them to their parents. Showing photos of a diverse group of babies in peek-aboo positions (including inside a hat and behind a lollypop), this book will make babies eager to play peek-a-boo themselves.
(Ages 0 - 2)
All Kinds of Tales
The Problem with Chickens
by Bruce McMillan & Gunnella (Illustrator)
The ladies in an Icelandic village bring home a delightful group of hens to provide eggs for the community. Cakes, breads, and pastries are all in great supply, until the chickens start acting up. So comfortable are they in this little town and so much do they admire their benefactresses that the chickens begin to imitate the ladies—and stop laying eggs. The ladies soon find an imaginative solution. A New York Times Best Illustrated Book in 2005. Bruce McMillan is a Maine author.
(Ages 3 - 8)
Honey...Honey...Lion
by Jan Brett
This book follows the adventures of Honeybird, an African species known for leading stronger animals to honey, letting them break open the hives, and then joining the feast. In this tale, Honeybird must contend with a very greedy badger. Playful sounds are evoked—Pitter, patter! Splish, splash! Sprong!—as the tale follows the pair through a rich African landscape—and then back again at breakneck speed. The page borders come alive with other animals watching, curious and mirthful, as Honeybird teaches Badger a lesson about sharing.
(Ages 3 - 8)
Tomie’s Three Bears and Other Tales
by Tomie dePaolaThis board book includes dePaola’s versions of the classic nursery tales Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Three Little Pigs, and the Little Red Hen. The simple text is charming, but the adorable illustrations are this book’s greatest asset. Very small children will love “reading” these stories over and over again.
(Ages 0 - 3)
