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Five Faves: New Board Books

Board books are an amazing way to introduce young readers to books, especially with their sturdy pages. These five board books were all published this year, and they're some of the best! Each one has some humor, great illustrations, and is sure to delight young and older readers alike.

Peekaboo Rex!
By Sandra Boynton
New York City: Boynton Bookworks, 2023. Board Book.

A T. rex plays a game of peekaboo with his other, smaller dinosaur friend, but the smaller dinosaur always finds the T. rex, no matter how well he tries to hide! Another adorable book by Boynton that will encourage young readers to play, and love, the game of peekaboo.

Big Kids No Everything 
By Wednesday Kirwan
New York: Little Simon, 2023. Board Book.

In a hilarious play on words, this board book highlights a child’s favorite word: “No!” The book highlights different kinds of no, such as a “small nos.” As children say “no,” time after time, they eventually learn when to say “yes.” An important book in helping children grow and gain autonomy.

Ducks!
Written by Deborah Underwood
Illustrated by T.L. McBeth
New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, 2023. Board Book.

In a darling story with minimal yet striking colors, one duck wanders around as they seek to find the rest of their duck family. Where have they gone? And will duck be able to find them?

Today I Feel Like a Jelly Donut: A Book About Emotions 
Written by Katie Kenny Phillips
Illustrated by Shannon Snow
Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2023. Board Book.

Being able to recognize emotions, not to mention label them, can be challenging for adults and children alike. This cute board book introduces children to common emotions, linking them with a food item to better understand said emotion, such as excited popcorn, or a nervous egg.

P is for Pirate
By Greg Paprocki
Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith, 2023. Board Book.

A charming alphabet book that gives a different pirate related term for each letter: A is for ahoy, O is for overboard, and of course, P is for pirate. Each page has a fun, child appropriate scene, such as children “walking the plank” as they dive into a pool.

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