December 15, 2008
5 Minutes for Books: Begin Smart Books
I am a huge fan of Begin Smart Books. When we started 5 Minutes for Books, I decided to have Carrie, toddler mama, review them, since my youngest child had just turned four. You can find her review of All Gone; One, Two; and and Mommy and Me HERE. We also featured a great essay from Harriet Ziefert, the series creator: On Reading to Infants, Babies and Toddlers.
So when a box of some newer titles landed on my doorstep, I was so happy! What’s more, even though these books are designed for newborns to two years old, my four-year-old son Kyle still enjoys them! I think that as parents we are always tempted to push our kids developmentally — by giving them toys slightly above their age. Sometimes it’s fine, and they can often enjoy them, and we feel like they will “last longer,” but in truth, a toy (or book) that is targeted right where they are is going to benefit them most. I would never buy these books made for young toddlers for him, but I think that the fact that they do hold his interest are a big testament to how great they are.
The Begin Smart Books are all categorized by age: newborn to six months, six to twelve months, twelve to eighteen months, and eighteen to twenty-four months, and are developmentally appropriate to that age range.
For example, in the under six months category, you will find “peekaboo” type books that help reinforce object permanence. Hello, Baby! has a cutout that shows through to the next page — either the baby’s mouth or eyes as an object (a hat, a blankie etc) covers and uncovers. It’s a great pre-cursor to a lift-the-flap book. Begin Smart: Night-Night, Baby is a beautiful, soft fabric book. I love these kinds of books, because babies can snuggle up with them at naptime as they get a bit older, and entertain themselves as they are waking up or trying to go to sleep. This book invites babies to put to bed various creatures: baby, kitty, mouse, pig as you turn the soft blanket from one to the other saying “night, night.” Finally, Baby Faces is a fold-out book that features what babies love to look at most: other babies’ faces!
For babies six to twelve months old, there are books like What Does Baby Do?, which has a sturdy flap that flips over showing a thought and an action. For example: Baby sees a kitty. What does baby do? (flip) Baby makes nice. Nice kitty. Woof features pictures of dogs of all types accompanied by the simple descriptive text: toy dog, noisy dog, happy dog etc. It also has a fun sound-effect button that the baby can push to hear a dog bark. Hi! Bye! is a perfect example of a great developmental book. I’m sure that most people would find it far too simple for their ten-month-old baby, but it’s so cute — dog shaped, thick pages, and it gets the point across. The face shows “hi,” then the page is turned showing the rear of the animal (dog, pig, etc) and the word “bye.”
For twelve to eighteen month babies, explore one of their favorite times, bathtime, with cute felt-type pictures and rhyming text in Splish-Splash.
For the year-and-a-half plus child, Who Am I? is a delightful book that has two hand holds on either side and opens up to give Mommy a place to peek through as she’s reading. Kyle also enjoyed holding this book up and “reading” each page as he made the animal sound and asked me, “Who am I?” Feet Are Neat reminds me a lot of Dr. Seuss with rhyming text that teaches concepts such as opposites (fast and slow feet) and colors (red and green feet, making paint footprints), and numbers (two feet and ten toes).
I cannot recommend Begin Smart Books more highly for your own baby or as a useful and fun baby shower or first birthday (or Christmas!) gift.
One reader (U.S. addresses only) will receive a few Begin Smart books (NOT all the ones listed here). Leave a comment if you want to win, and we will announce the winner in next week’s column (on December 22).
Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions of Use for a complete list of our Contest and Giveaway Rules. This promotion is void where prohibited.
The winner of the signed copy of Matrimony is #13 lifeasamama.
Filed under * Feature Columns, 5 Minutes for Books, Books, Contests by
Comments on 5 Minutes for Books: Begin Smart Books
Mama Bub @ 12:16 am
These are precious. I’ll be ordering some regardless.
karen c. @ 12:21 am
My toddler would love some new books!
Heather @ 12:21 am
I hadn’t heard of these before–they’d be great for my little girl.
Amy@ Joy of my Heart @ 12:21 am
Excellent giveaway! Yes, please enter me!
Nicole @ 12:21 am
My little guy would love these!
ncpnkr@aol.com
Jesica @ 12:26 am
oh we love books – and these look super. Thanks for the great giveaway
Elizabeth @ 12:27 am
My baby and I love Begin Smart books. We only have a few, but they are her favorites!
Anny @ 12:29 am
I would love to these for my granddaughter.
Celeste @ 1:19 am
My littles would have so much fun with these!
Krista @ 1:44 am
Yay, we can always read more books!
Sheri @ 1:45 am
How cool! Some of these books would be just perfect for my granddaughter. I especially like “Woof” and “Hi! Bye!” because she LOVES dogs.
Thank you for offering this giveaway!
Good luck all!
stacey @ tree, root, and twig @ 2:08 am
That “Who Am I?” book is darling. Thanks for this giveaway.
aubien @ 3:19 am
We love books in our house. Probably read 15-20 a week! Thanks for the giveaway…we’d love to add these to our treasures.
Audrey @ 3:59 am
Awesome! Sign me up!
Jamaise @ 4:36 am
We are book monsters here. We’d love to win!
Lori (teacher turned mommy) @ 5:18 am
I’ve never seen these before and they look neat!
kristie @ 7:14 am
Sounds great! Sign me up!
C. clemens @ 7:19 am
hi, enter me to win this nice prize
Laura Harrison @ 7:50 am
Oh. Every baby needs books! I would love to be entered in this. Thank you.
geneveve2 (at) gmail (dot) com
ReggieMann @ 8:00 am
Would love to win these for my 17-month old niece
MRS.MOMMYY @ 8:24 am
oh I love books- its like jumping into an adventure each time
Alexandra Hancock @ 8:31 am
My 13 month old is constantly bringing me books from his shelf and now we have read them all (over and over). We would both appreciate a few new books. Thanks!
alexandra dot hancock at gmail dot com
The Gang's All Here! @ 8:52 am
Li’l Empress loves a good “booka booka” and grins her little scrunchy nose grin when one of us suggests reading time. These would be so fun – and something new for us all. One can only read Little Bunny’s Book of Opposites so many times in one day before one goes completely batty.
stephanie @ 9:02 am
We <3 books at our house.
Carey @ 9:22 am
I would love to win.
Mom24@4evermom @ 9:34 am
Ooooh! I want these. What a great idea.
Stefanie @ 9:47 am
These books sound like fun! My son and I love story time and are always looking for new books to add to the pile.
Keeling @ 9:56 am
I want to win!
Susan Heim @ 10:13 am
These sound like wonderful books. I’d love to win some!
Through The Canon @ 10:19 am
My babies would love these books!
Andria @ 10:26 am
Great books for the kiddos! THanks.
chyk @ 10:37 am
we think this is fab
Melanie @ 10:56 am
My daughter loves books more than anything and would love these!
Carissa @ 11:00 am
The twins would LOVE these!
PisecoMom @ 11:08 am
The frog-on-the-cover version of Who Am I is my 2 yo daughter’s favorite! I’d love more books in this line. Thanks!
Tracey @ 11:09 am
Thank you! We’ve been looking for some new books, so even if I don’t win, I’ll be purchasing a few of these for our daughter.
Pat @ 11:12 am
These books are adorable!
Maja @ 11:13 am
great books
Maja @ 11:14 am
subscriber
jodi @ 11:21 am
these look like great books – thanks!
Michele @ 11:24 am
We would love to add this to the baby books we already own! They sound great.
Richelle F @ 11:25 am
These look great!
Richelle F @ 11:26 am
I’m subscribed to your feed.
Shelly @ 11:42 am
I love books, but haven’t purchased any of these. I would love to give them a try!
Terri @ 11:53 am
would love to win
Mary @ 11:59 am
These books look great!
Briana @ 1:08 pm
I would love these!
Briana @ 1:08 pm
I subscribe to the feed
Briana @ 1:09 pm
and the newsletter
Briana @ 1:10 pm
and have your button on my blog
Marisa M @ 1:12 pm
My 18 month old would love them– he is really into books right now.
Sheila Capell @ 1:28 pm
I’m always looking for new books and love that these books help reinforce what the age should be developing. I need to look into these a little more. How exciting! My 3 yr old LOVES books, I read to him a lot. I need to be better about reading to my 10 mo. boy though, he’s totally getting the short end of the stick. Where does the time go???!!
Michelle Rosborough @ 1:33 pm
Cute books
Michelle Rosborough @ 1:34 pm
I’m on your newsletter list
Linda @ 1:43 pm
I would love to win one of these books for my little grandson
Rebecca @ 1:44 pm
I’ve never heard of these before, but would love to try them! We LOVE books at our house!
Michelle @ 1:54 pm
Sound cute to me. We love books.
Bettina @ 1:57 pm
We sure do love to read around here!
susan varney @ 2:01 pm
loove to win
becky fitzpatrick @ 2:02 pm
would love to win
Adrienne! @ 2:11 pm
Would love these!
Adrienne! @ 2:11 pm
Subscribe to your feed!
Adrienne! @ 2:11 pm
And your newsletter!
michele anne jaquays @ 2:36 pm
A nice gift for my nieces and nephews
Angela C. @ 2:41 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever read any of these. They would be great for my 8 month old.
Angela
accoupons at gmail dot com
Jaclyn Reynolds @ 2:44 pm
Would love to win this for my youngest son! He would really enjoy it!
mariadelgado32302@yahoo.com @ 2:47 pm
Sounds really cool.
Jill W @ 2:50 pm
Sounds right up my 20 month old’s alley, thanks!
Jen @ 3:07 pm
My boys would love this!
Stephanie V @ 3:19 pm
books are always welcome in our home — my 18 month old would love some of the older ones reviewed like Who Am I?
Denise @ 3:21 pm
I’d loves some books for my youngest.
Angie L @ 3:45 pm
My little girl would live these.
Sheila @ 4:18 pm
These would be great for my daughter!
staceyk @ 4:59 pm
What great looking books!
Marlena U. @ 4:59 pm
We love books and would love to win! Thanks!!
Lisa C @ 5:11 pm
I’d love to win these books for my son!
Kat R @ 5:45 pm
What a great way to introduce your child to reading and books
ellen cunningham @ 6:02 pm
I’d love to win these for my son. Thanks for the chance.
judy brittle @ 7:17 pm
I would just love these for my grandchildren. Thank you so much!
Adrienne Gordon @ 7:30 pm
great books
Barb @ 10:05 pm
I’ve seen these advertised and they look so cute! our twins LOVE to read and we have another baby on the way…so another excuse for more books! yeah!
Michael Capp @ 10:07 pm
I’d love to win!
Amy @ 10:54 pm
We check these books out of the library but we would love to have our own!!
christopher h @ 11:06 pm
love to win these
Amy from Occupation: Mommy @ 12:06 am
My 19 month old would love these!
leah @ 12:08 am
These books would be awesome for my little nephew!
Stephen Saunders @ 12:34 am
Merry Ho Ho!
stampedwithgrace @ 12:43 am
subscriber
stampedwithgrace @ 12:43 am
I get your newsletter!
stampedwithgrace @ 12:43 am
these books sound great
stampedwithgrace @ 12:44 am
your button’s on my blog!
grubmama @ 12:49 am
I just looked up some baby books for my dd!
Julie Donahue @ 2:00 am
This looks great!
Julie Donahue @ 2:00 am
I have your button on my blog.
Julie Donahue @ 2:01 am
I sub to the newsletter
Dree @ 2:16 am
I love these books.
Amanda @ 2:42 am
These would be wonderful for my son!!
Amanda @ 2:44 am
I am a subscriber
Amanda @ 2:47 am
I get your newsletter as well!
Ronni Fox @ 5:37 am
Just perfect for my adorable grandaughter..she is just developing an interest in books.
rachel burke @ 5:41 am
i want these books
Alicia @ Experiencing Each Moment @ 8:18 am
What fun!
Mar Detrick @ 8:34 am
Thanks for the great suggestions!
Susan C @ 10:44 am
I would love to read Night Night Baby to my 8 month old grandson!
smchester at gmail dot com
Diana @ 11:36 am
This is adorable. I really like the toddler who am I book. so cute.
Heather @ 11:50 am
My two year old would love these.
hawkshoe @ 12:00 pm
Books are such a wonderful gift for everyone. My husband has many coworkers who are expecting babies and I would love to win these to give as a gift to one of them.
Diane S @ 1:14 pm
i know just the little ones who would love to share these books. ages newborn to 7.
Thank you for the giveaway
Diane S @ 1:14 pm
i am a subscriber
Renee @ 2:50 pm
These are cute. Would love to win!
Katharine @ 3:29 pm
These sound like wonderful books. I like the bold gaphic illustrations
Stephanie @ 4:53 pm
A child can never have too many books…and I like that these ones are “interactive.” Those are always my daughter’s favorite kind. She loves books where you can lift up flaps, smell different scents, etc.
Jessica T @ 5:52 pm
This would make a great gift!
Kathy Scott @ 6:14 pm
I told my boys early on that I would always buy them a book. Well, they love to read and are breaking the bank. These books would help a lot.
MJ @ 10:25 pm
I’d love to have these. They sound great for the little ones.
The Diaper Diaries @ 10:42 pm
My little one loves books. Count me in!!
Shannon Baas @ 10:54 pm
Wonderful idea.
Kathy Amos @ 11:32 pm
This is a great giveaway
Mustangkayla @ 12:05 am
What a great give-away! My son and I usually read at least an hour a day! We just LOVE books!
Michelle @ 12:47 am
can never have too many books!
Mozi Esme's Mommy @ 8:19 am
These books look wonderful! And I have a US address.
jan koontz @ 12:18 pm
just to cool
Jay @ 2:36 pm
Please enter me!
Mike Weisberg @ 5:52 pm
I want to win
John Mizell @ 10:40 pm
Grandson would love these
thompmalice @ 11:01 pm
I’d love to win these for my grandson.
Vicky Boackle @ 12:34 am
great for my grandson.
Miranda Kuskie @ 9:34 am
These are such cute books! My toddler would definitely love to read them with me.
Jennifer F @ 11:45 am
My daughter would love these books.
Vicki Wurgler @ 8:13 pm
delightful books-I’d love to read these to my grandkids
ky2here @ 10:35 pm
These look like great books.
Terra Heck @ 4:58 am
These would be great books for my young’un.
Hesper F @ 5:12 pm
The books sound great! Thanks for the chance.
Jennifer R @ 5:24 pm
My daughter would love some new books!
Andria Shelton @ 6:03 pm
These books sound wonderful, I would love a chance to win.
REBECCA TOWNER @ 9:46 pm
would love to win
Martha Payne @ 10:17 pm
Please count me in and thanks for the contest!
codisweepstakes at gmail dot com
Bobv @ 12:43 am
Great prize, enter me please.
SHELLEY VILLARREAL @ 12:51 am
Would be greatful to win. Thanks a bunch.
Ann Marie Walker @ 1:36 am
Thanks for the great giveaway. I have 2 little ones that would enjoy them.
Jennifer M @ 2:18 am
I would love to have these for my daughter and any other children we might have.
Lori Z. @ 8:05 am
I’m constantly looking for colorful books that my son might like and these look great!
Janine Brotzman @ 10:18 am
I Would love to win this for my daughter! Thanks for the great giveaway!
misfitmookie at gmail.com
Heather B @ 10:58 am
These are cute, my daughter would love them
Melissa Butler @ 11:45 am
Love these books ~ I am a firm believer in reading to your child, from infancy on.
Steph Elias @ 1:35 pm
Looks like a great set of books.
Rosanne @ 2:36 pm
I’d love to win these great books
Jessica Davidson @ 3:15 pm
Pick me!
Debra F @ 4:23 pm
I think my pre-schooler would really love these. Thanks for all your great giveaways and happy holidays.
Amy @ 5:11 pm
I think its so important to read to your baby and start a foundation for a learning and a love of books – these seem so sweet and perfect for my soon to be new niece. And the third for my little one.
Marion B @ 5:11 pm
These would be cool for my niece!
Cassandra @ 5:23 pm
Great books–thanks!
Ed Nemmers @ 6:16 pm
Happy Holidays!
john ferris @ 9:44 pm
A fantastic set of books. Please enter me.
mary boemmel @ 10:00 pm
Would love this for my grandson.
Lisa Fosses @ 10:16 pm
these books would make great gifts
Dan @ 10:21 pm
My kids would like these
Sherrie @ 10:23 pm
This would be great.
Kristin Harvey @ 10:39 pm
this would be great
Angela DeBonis @ 10:42 pm
Oooo Sign me up! Thanks
renee @ 11:03 pm
we love books at my house and want to try these
gina snow @ 11:13 pm
i would love to win
David Nguyen @ 11:15 pm
hello!
Renee G @ 11:52 pm
These look like great books.
rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com
Lara Aleff @ 12:22 am
I’d love to win these great books!
Angela Prater @ 12:27 am
I would love to win – these look like great books.
Aniela R. @ 12:41 am
These look really cute, I’d love to have them for our new baby.
Chrysa @ 2:05 am
They look great!
Patricia @ 4:06 am
Very young children can learn to read…….I would like to win!
louise @ 4:34 am
I would heart win these for my grandsons.ty 4 the entry:)
Elizabeth M. @ 6:42 am
These sound just super!
Marcy Strahan @ 10:20 am
Reading is a childs passport to the world! I believe that reading & the love of reading is a foundation to a happy & successful life for anyone!
I would love to win this & share it with the kids.
Peggy Gorman @ 10:34 am
Awesome giveaway! I believe kids can read at a young age and this is a wonderful start to giving them the gift of reading
Cindy Ellis @ 10:47 am
This would be for my granddaughter
Kristen @ 12:02 pm
My little girl would love these! There are terrific!
Jessica Rowe @ 12:12 pm
I would love this for my girls!
Sarah Berry @ 12:46 pm
My DD loves books I would love to win this for her. Thanks
claudette flanigan @ 2:19 pm
how fun! My daughter-in-law would just love to have these for our little guy!
Candie L @ 2:31 pm
We get so caught up in toys and other brighty toys that we forget how important a book could be for a young child. This would be great for several family friends who have children 1-2 years old
Brenda Park @ 4:13 pm
Very nice books, my kids would definitely benefit especially the youngest. Thanks for the chance to win!
Pamela White @ 5:14 pm
Very cute books, my son could use some new ones.
Kelly L @ 5:38 pm
I love giving and receiving books as gifts. My daughter would love these. Thanks!
angela cisco @ 7:50 pm
I would love to win this!
angelacisco@rocketmail.com
Brenda S. @ 7:50 pm
My grandkids (toddler) would love some new books! thanks!
Lily Kwan @ 8:18 pm
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
Kristyn Martin @ 9:59 pm
I would love to win this for my son! Thanks for the chance!
kathy pease @ 10:26 pm
PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY
Michelle H. @ 10:40 pm
I would love to win any of these sets, since I have a large family and am expecting another child.
Donna K @ 1:40 am
Please, count me in.