M's Favorite Books of 2011

I probably should have done this a few weeks ago, but I am just now getting around to it...what is a new year without a few lists of favorites??

1. The Pout Pout Fish, Deborah Diesen. M is not usually into a book that doesn't have a flap to lift, or something to feel, but it was love at first read with The Pout Pout Fish. This adorable tale of a down in the dumps fish whose life is turned around by a single kiss, is a must have!

2. One Red Dot, David A. Carter. The idea is that on every spread there is a red dot to be found within the intricate workings of this elaborate pop-up book. It is fun for both child and parent.

3. The Going to Bed Book, Sandra Boyton. We have read this one so much that M can actually recite it to me as I turn the pages. Our last book of every story time, this book is our favorite of the Boyton series.

4. Press Here, Herve Tullet. This is a fabulous interactive book that I purchased M for her birthday. Each page gives your child an instruction, "press the yellow dot," or "tilt the book to the right," and you see the results on the following page. Another one that is fun for both child and parent alike!

5. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Sue DiCiccio. So to be totally honest, I loathe this book. I actually loathe all things Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, due to the fact I have seen every episode 100 times - if they choose a baby elephant to sit on a shirt to get out the wrinkles one more time, or springy shoes to jump over something (No M, you cannot have a pair of springy shoes) I swear I will put my fist through a wall. Anyhoo - we have this little board book, and M is obsessed with it. The story is ridiculous, but every time we read she needs to see the "Mickey Book" just to point out her favorite friends on the pages.

6. Disney Pixar Storybook Collection, Annie Aurbach. As you will soon see in "M's top Movies of 2011," she is obsessed with most things Pixar (for some reason I cannot get her to watch Cars!). I picked this book up right after Borders announced it was closing so I got a great deal on it. M calls it the "Sully Book" for Sully from Monsters, Inc., and it is requested at most story times. It is a compliation of short stories about each of the Pixar movies, but we mostly stick to the Nemo, Toy Story and Monsters Inc. stories. Of course this is one of those word-heavy books so I end up making up the stories. I know when she gets older she will love it even more.

7. One, Two, Elmo Zoo!  I purchased this book at Costco when M was just born, but she is just starting to get into this. She can now actually count the animals throughout the story as we read - of course not always correctly, but she gets the point finally.

What are your kids favorite books?