Bringing Up Baby

Is it necessary for us to make our baby collections a priority? Aren't most of those preliteracy materials a luxury rather than a necessity? A frill most libraries can ill afford?

According to the latest brain-research findings, a sound baby collection is not only a necessity, it's worth its weight in gold.

In recent years, a number of breakthroughs in neurological research and brain-imaging techniques have confirmed what many have long suspected: children's earliest experiences--especially the first three years--are as crucial to brain development as genetic inheritance. (So much for the long-running debate between the "nature" vs. "nurture" camps.) Simply put, children's brains will not develop properly unless they receive warm, responsive care and ongoing stimulation.

It is difficult to overstate the importance of these early years on later learning. Ronald Kotulak, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Inside the Brain: Revolutionary Discoveries of How the Mind Works (Andrews McMeel, 1997), maintains that during this critical learning period, the brain's foundations for "thinking, language, vision, attitudes, aptitudes, and other characteristics" are formed.

What does this mean for children's librarians? As professionals charged with serving customers of all ages, we need to stress the importance of early literacy experiences--in particular, activities that are centered around sharing books, music, and rhymes. We need to provide parents and caregivers with quality materials. And we need to make sure our libraries are indeed baby friendly.

What follows, then, are some recommendations for developing your own state-of-the-art baby collections. The books, music, and other resources that are listed below are meant not to be encyclopedic, but rather to help you build a terrific baby collection, or add some oomph to an already strong one.

Don't be fooled into thinking that all board books are for babies. There have been many board books published in recent years that are reissues of books published originally for preschoolers through third graders in a larger format, with paper pages rather than board pages. Some of these reissued titles are appropriate for infants and toddlers, but others contain lengthy text and concepts far beyond babies' understandings. Should librarians simply avoid purchasing these younger-format, older-reader books since they are inappropriate for babies?

Not at all. Physically challenged older children, for example, sometimes find the board book format more accessible, and other older children are often attracted to board books as well. The dilemma, of course, is where to shelve these books--with board books for babies and toddlers or with books for elementary school-age children?

When it comes to baby books, there is a lot to be happy about these days. In the past few years, publishers have been offering some excellent books, such as the Harper Growing Tree series, designed for newborns, one- and two-year-olds.

Still, there are a few basics to keep in mind when purchasing books for infants and toddlers. It is important to recognize that during their first six months of life, babies are a little like Mr. Magoo: their vision is somewhat blurry. Thus, infants are attracted to books with highly contrasting colors, such as those illustrated exclusively in black and white. Since infants, at first, distinguish only primary colors--and not shades of colors--books that use bright colors are also good choices. Point-and-name books depicting familiar objects--with no more than one object per page--are another wise pick for the very young. Avoid those cluttered board books with loads of labeled objects to identify per page. Other sound selections include books depicting baby faces (infants are attracted to other baby faces) and books that provide tactile experiences, such as touch-and-feel books. Mother Goose rhyming board books are a necessity, but your collection should also include lapsit books with rhymes that encourage language-sharing experiences.

As far as the actual construction of the books themselves, make sure that board books for infants have rounded edges, not pointed ones that can prove unsafe. And don't forget cloth books. Libraries often do not stock these because of concerns about cleanliness or shelving difficulties. While babies have been known to put cloth books in their mouths, the same holds true for board books. Cloth books can be washed and hung to dry. (Our library has a washing machine that is often used to wash cloth books and puppets.) Board books can be sterilized by wiping them with a sponge dipped in full-strength isopropyl alcohol or a solution of one-half cup of bleach to one gallon of water. Or, contact a local child care facility to find out where it purchases its disinfectants for toys and books.

Following is a list of good books for babies.

Ahlberg, Janet & Allan Ahlberg. Baby Sleeps. ISBN 0-316-03845-8.

______. Blue Buggy. ISBN 0-316-03848-2

______. Doll and Teddy ISBN 0-316-03846-6

______. See the Rabbit. ISBN 0-316-03847-4. ea vol: illus. by author. Little, Brown. 1999. BD $5.95.

Apperley, Dawn. Nighty-Night. ISBN 0-316-60427-5

______. Wakey-Wakey. ISBN 0-316-60504-2. ea vol: illus. by author. Little, Brown. 1999. BD $5.95.

Buck, Nola. How a Baby Grows. illus. by Pamela Paparone. HarperCollins. 1998. BD $5.95. ISBN 0-694-00873-7.

Carlstrom, Nancy White. Jesse Bear's Tra-La Tub. ISBN 0-689-71715-6

______. Jesse Bear's Yum-Yum Crumble. ISBN 0-689-71718-0.

______. Jesse Bear's Wiggle-Jiggle Jump-Up. ISBN 0-689-71717-2. ea vol: illus. by Bruce Degan. Aladdin. 1994. BD $5.95.

Cole, Joanna, and Stephanie Calmenson, comps. Pat-A-Cake and Other Play Rhymes. illus. by Alan Tiegreen. Morrow. 1992. Tr $14.00. ISBN 0-688-11038-X.; pap. $6.95. ISBN 0-688-11533-0.

Cousins, Lucy. Pet Animals. ISBN 0-7636-0612-X.

______. Country Animals. ISBN 0-7636-0609-X.

______. Farm Animals. ISBN 0-7636-0610-3.

______. Garden Animals. ISBN 0-7636-0611-1. ea vol: illus. by author. Candlewick. 1990. BD $3.99.

Cousins, Lucy. Teddy in the House. ISBN 1-56402-030-4.

_______. Hen on the Farm. ISBN 1-56402-032-0.

_______. Flower in the Garden. ISBN 1-56402-029-0.

_______. Kite in the Park. ISBN 1-56402-031-2. ea vol: illus. by author. Candlewick. 1992. Cloth $6.99.

Dyer, Jane. Animal Crackers: Bedtime. ISBN 0-316-19660-6.

______. Animal Crackers: Nursery Rhymes. ISBN 0-316-19643-6. ea vol: illus. by author. Little, Brown. 1998. BD $4.95.

Ellwand, David. Big Book of Beautiful Babies. illus. by author. Dutton. 1995. Tr $14.99. ISBN 0-525-45499-3.

Goennel, Heidi. It's My World: What I Eat. ISBN 0-688-14145-5.

______. What I See. ISBN 0-688-14146-3.

______. Where I Live. ISBN 0-688-14148-X.

______. What I Wear. ISBN 0-688-14147-1. ea vol: illus. by author. Morrow. 1995. BD $3.95.

Hawkins, Colin, and Jacqui Hawkins. Here's a Happy Kitten. ISBN 1-56402-819-4.

______. Here's a Happy Puppy. ISBN 1-56402-818-6. ea vol: illus. by author. Candlewick. 1996. BD $5.99.

Henderson, Kathy. Bounce Bounce Bounce. ISBN 1-56402-669-8.

______. Bumpety Bump. ISBN 1-56402-670-1. ea vol: illus. by Carol Thompson. Candlewick. 1994. pap. $3.99.

Hoban, Tana. White on Black. ISBN 0-688-11919-0.

______. Black on White. ISBN 0-688-11918-2.

______. Blanco en Negro. ISBN 0-688-13653-2.

______. What Is That? ISBN 0-688-12920-X.

______. Who Are They? ISBN 0-688-12921-8. ea vol: illus. by author. Greenwillow. 1993. BD $4.95.

Hubbell, Patricia. Pots and Pans. illus. by Diane deGroat. HarperCollins. 1998. BD $9.95. ISBN 0-694-01072-3.

Hubbell, Patricia. Wrapping Paper. illus. by Jennifer Plecas. HarperCollins. 1998. BD $5.95. ISBN 0-694-01098-7.

Hudson, Cheryl Willis. Animal Sounds for Baby. ISBN 0-590-94919-5._

_____. Good Morning Baby. ISBN 0-590-94918-7.

______. Good Night Baby. ISBN 0-590-94942-X.

______. Let's Count Baby. ISBN 0-590-94922-5. ea vol: illus. by George Ford. Scholastic. 1995. BD $4.95.

Intrater, Roberta Grobel. Baby Faces: Peek-A-Boo! ISBN 0-590-05896-7.

______. Baby Faces: Smile! ISBN 0-590-05899-1. ea vol: illus. by author. Scholastic. 1997. BD $4.95.

Johnson, Audean. Soft as a Kitten: Things to Touch and Feel, See and Sniff. illus. by author. Random. 1982. BD $9.00. ISBN 0-394-85517-5.

Kemp, Moira. Humpty Dumpty. illus. by author. Lodestar. 1996. Tr $12.99. ISBN 0-525-67540-X.

Kenyon, Tony. Pat-A-Cake. illus. by author. Candlewick. 1994. BD $3.99. ISBN 0-7636-0431-3.

Lamont, Priscilla. Playtime Rhymes. illus. by author. DK. 1998. Tr $12.95. ISBN 0-7894-2861-X.

Manning, Jane. This Little Piggy. illlus. by author. HarperCollins. 1997. BD $7.95. ISBN 0-694-01000-6.

Miller, Margaret. Baby Faces. ISBN 0-689-81911-0.

______. What's on My Head? ISBN 0-689-81912-9. ea vol: illus. by author. Little Simon. 1998. BD $4.99.

Opie, Iona Archibald, Ed. Humpty Dumpty. ISBN 0-7636-0353-8.

______. Little Blue Boy. ISBN 0-7636-0354-6.

______. Pussycat Pussycat. ISBN 0-7636-0355-4.

______. Wee Willie Winkie. ISBN 0-7636-0356-2. ea vol: illus. by Rosemary Wells. Candlewick. 1997. BD $6.99.

Ormerod, Jan. Rock-A-Baby. illus. by author. Dutton. 1997. BD $10.99. ISBN 0-525-45935-9.

Oxenbury, Helen. I Can. ISBN 1-56402-547-0.

______. I Hear. ISBN 1-56402-548-9.

______. I See. ISBN 1-56402-549-7.

______. I Touch. ISBN 1-56402-550-0. ea vol: illus. by author. Candlewick. 1995. BD $3.99.

Oxenbury, Helen. Dressing. ISBN 0-671-42113-1.

______. Family. ISBN 0-671-42110-7.

______. Friends. ISBN 0-671-42111-5.

______. Working. ISBN 0-671-42112-3. ea vol: illus. by author. Little Simon. 1995. BD $4.95.

Parker, Ant. It's Bathtime. ISBN 0-15-201371-7.

______. It's Bedtime. ISBN 0-15-201369-5.

______. It's Playtime. ISBN 0-15-201374-1.

______. It's Snacktime. ISBN 0-15-201370-9. ea vol: illus. by author. Red Wagon Books. 1996. BD $4.95.

Real Mother Goose Board Book. illus. by Blanche Fisher Wright. Scholastic. 1998. BD $6.99. ISBN 0-590-00368-2.

Tildes, Phyllis. Baby Animals: Black and White. illus. by author. Charlesbridge. 1998. BD $4.95. ISBN 0-88106-313-4.

Touch and Feel Kitten. illus. by photos. DK. 1999. BD $6.95. ISBN 0-7894-3990-5.

Touch and Feel Puppy. illus. by photos. DK. 1999. BD $6.95. ISBN 0-7894-3991-3.

Wattenberg, Jane. Mrs. Mustard's Baby Faces. illus. by author. Chronicle. 1989. BD $5.95. ISBN 0-87701-659-3.

Wells, Rosemary. Bear Went Over the Mountain. ISBN 0-590-02910-X.

______. Bingo. ISBN 0-590-02913-4.

______. Itsy Bitsy Spider. ISBN 0-590-

02911-8.

______. Old MacDonald. ISBN 0-590-76985-5. ea vol: illus. by author. Scholastic. 1998. BD $4.95.

Williams, Sam. The Baby's Word Book. illus. by author. Greenwillow. 1999. BD $9.95. ISBN 0-688-16834-5.

Yolen, Jane, ed. The Lap-Time Song and Play Book. illus. by Margot Tomes. Harcourt. 1989. RTE $15.95. ISBN 0-15-243588-3.

Once your library is stocked with terrific materials for babies, you may wish to offer some baby-time lapsit programs that use simple, repetitive songs and rhymes. These lapsit programs are a wonderful, low-key way to show caregivers how to use books with their infants. Lapsit programs are also an excellent opportunity for librarians to gently stress the importance of continuing singing and rhyming activities at home. The following books can help you plan a lapsit program:

Davis, Robin Works. Toddle on Over: Developmentally Appropriate Literature Programs. Highsmith. 1998. Tr $14.95. ISBN 1-57950-000-5.

Ernst, Linda. Lapsit Services for the Very Young: A How-to-Do-It Manual. Neal-Schuman. 1995. pap. $38.50. ISBN 1-55570-185-X.

Marino, Jane & Dorothy Houlihan. Mother Goose Time: Library Services for Babies and Their Caregivers. H.W. Wilson. 1992. Tr $30. ISBN 0-8242-0850-1.

Nespeca, Sue McCleaf. Library Programming for Families with Young Children: A How-to-Do-It Manual. Neal-Schuman. 1994. Tr $38.50. ISBN 1-55570-181-7.

Research indicates that children who are exposed to music at a young age later learn math and science concepts more easily. Music, the thinking goes, also helps develop listening skills, teaches concentration, and has a calming effect on babies (not to mention parents). The following cassettes and CDs are recommended for babies:

Baby Face: Activities for Infants and Toddlers. Performed by Various Artists. 35 min. cassette (#7049 Cass.): $10.95. Kimbo. 1983.

Baby Games. Performed by Various Artists. 35 min. cassette (#9102 Cass.): $10.95. Kimbo. 1987.

Babysong. Performed by Hap Palmer. 30 min. record (#AR713): $12.95, cassette (#AC713): $11.95, CD (#CD713): $14.95. Educational Activities. 1984.

A Child's Celebration of Lullaby. Performed by Various Artists. 53 min. cassette (#R4-7295): $9.98, CD (#R2-72935): $15.98. Music for Little People. 1997.

A Child's World of Lullabies. Performed by Hap Palmer. 30 min. record (#AR675): $12.95, cassette (#AC675): $11.95, CD (#CD675): $14.95. Educational Activities. 1993.

Circle Time: Songs and Rhymes for the Very Young. Performed by Lisa Monet. 40 min. cassette (#42559-4): $9.98, CD (#42559-2): $15.98. Music for Little People. 1993.

Dedicated to the One I Love. Performed by Linda Ronstadt. 35 min. CD (#9556-2): $16.98. Elektra Entertainment. 1996.

Diaper Gym: Fun Activities for Babies on the Move. Performed by Various Artists. 35 min. cassette (#9096 Cass.): $10.95, CD (#9096CD): $14.95. Kimbo. 1985.

Disney Babies: Lullaby. Performed by Various Artists. 47 min. cassette (#5008606110): $6.98, CD (#5008-606117): price varies. Disney. 1988.

Disney Babies: Playtime. Performed by Various Artists. 37 min. cassette (#5008606090): $6.98, CD (#500860-6097): price varies. Disney. 1991.

Five Little Monkeys. Performed by Various Artists. 35 min. cassette (#9155 Cass.): $10.95, CD (#9155CD): $14.95. Kimbo. 1999.

Hello Everybody! Performed by Rachel Buchman. 36 min. cassette (#GW1038 Cass.): $9.95, CD (#GW1038 CD): $14.95. A Gentle Wind. 1998.

Lullaby Berceuse. Performed by Connie Kaldor and Carmen Campagne. 40 min. cassette (#42592-4): $9.98, CD (#42592-2): $15.98. Music for Little People. 1996.

Mainly Mother Goose. Performed by Sharon, Lois & Bram. Drive Entertainment, 1998. 46 min. cassette (#DE4-43207): $8.98, CD (#DE2-43207): $13.98. Drive Entertainment. 1998.

More Babysongs. Performed by Hap Palmer. 30 min. record (#AR597): $12.95, cassette (#AC597): $11.95, CD (#CD597): $14.95. Educational Activities. 1990.

My Teddy Bear and Me: Musical Play Activities for Infants and Toddlers. Performed by Various Artists. 35 min. cassette (#7039 Cass.): $10.95. Kimbo. 1984.

Nursery Days. Performed by Woody Guthrie. 40 min. cassette (#45036 Cass.): $8.50, CD (#45036CD): $14.00. Smithsonian Folkways. 1992.

Peek-A-Boo and Other Songs for Young Children. Performed by Hap Palmer. 30 min. record (#AR645): $12.95, cassette (#AC645): $11.95, CD (#CD645): $14.95. Educational Activities. 1996.

Rock-A-Tot. 1996. Performed by Sari DaJani. 37 min. cassette (#K7-049605): $8.99, CD (#KCD-049605): $12.99. Kidzup. 1996.

Singable Nursery Rhymes. Performed by Various Artists. 35 min. cassette (#8035 Cass.): $10.95. Kimbo. 1986.

Six Little Ducks. Performed by Various Artists. 35 min. cassette (#9147 Cass.): $10.95, CD (#9147CD): $14.95. Kimbo. 1998.

Sleepy Time Rock-A-Byes. Performed by Wendy Wiseman. 39 min. cassette (#K7-049603): $8.99, CD (#KCD-049603): $12.99. Kidzup. 1996.

So Big: Activity Songs for Little Ones. Performed by Hap Palmer. 30 min. record (#AR678): $12.95, cassette (#AC678): $11.95, CD (CD678): $14.95. Educational Activities. 1994.

Songs and Games for Babies. Performed by Various Artists. 40 min. cassette with song book. (#WPH3501): $10.95. Totline Publications. 1997.

Songs and Games for Toddlers. Performed by Various Artists. 40 min. cassette with song book. (#WPH3502): $10.95. Totline Publications. 1997.

Songs to Grow on for Mother and Child. Performed by Woody Guthrie. 35 min. cassette (#45035 cass.): $8.50, CD (45035 CD): $14.00. Smithsonian Folkways. 1991.

Sweet Dreams: Restful Music for Quiet Times. Performed by Various Artists. 35 min. cassette (#9109 Cass.): $10.95. Kimbo. 1988.

Toddlers on Parade. Performed by Various Artists. 35 min. cassette (#9022 Cass.): $10.95, CD (#9022 CD): $14.95. Kimbo. 1985.

Toddlers Sing. Performed by Various Artists. 43 min. cassette (#R4-75592): $7.98, CD (#R2-75592): $11.98. Music for Little People. 1998.

Where Is Thumbkin? Performed by Various Artists. 35 min. cassette (#9142 Cass.): $10.95, CD (#9142CD): $14.95. Kimbo. 1998.

Wee Sing for Baby. Performed by Pamela Conn Beall and Susan Hagen Nipp. 60 min. cassette (ISBN 0-8431-7990-2): $9.99, CD (ISBN 0-8431-7949-X): $12.95. Price Stern Sloan Audio. 1998.

Wee Sing Nursery Rhymes and Lullabies. Performed by Pamela Conn Beall and Susan Hagen Nipp. 60 min. cassette (ISBN 0-8431-3794-0): $9.99, CD (ISBN 0-8431-7939-2): $12.95. Price Stern Sloan Audio. 1998.

The World Sings Goodnight. Performed by Various Artists. cassette (#803): $9.98, CD (#803): $14.98. Silver Wave Records. 1993.

The World Sings Goodnight II. Performed by Various Artists. cassette (#909): $9.98, CD (#909): $14.98. Silver Wave Records. 1995.

A Gentle Wind: 888-386-7664

Disney: 818-973-4370

Drive Entertainment Inc.: 310-815-4900

Educational Activities: 800-645-3739

Elektra Entertainment: www.elektra.com

Kidzup: 514-484-8693

Kimbo Educational: 800-631-2187

Music for Little People: 800-346-4445

Price Stern Sloan: 800-631-8571

Silver Wave: 800-745-9283

Smithsonian Folkways: 800-410-9815

Totline Productions: 800-421-5565