Parent's little helper: Sandra Boynton books and CDs

From greeting cards to children's books,
Sandra Boynton has proven to be a prolific
writer and artist. (Photo: SandraBoynton.com)

Instilling a love of books and reading in a child can start even before the baby has outgrown the bassinet, thanks to cheery board books by Sandra Boynton. For new parents who are wondering what their baby’s first book should be, the Boynton collection is among “the essentials.”

Full of easy to learn rhymes and whimsical drawings, Boynton’s books have become so popular with parents of babies and toddlers that several of her books are grouped into two boxed sets: Boynton’s Greatest Hits Part I (Moo, Baa, La La La!, A to Z, Doggies, Blue Hat, Green Hat.) and Boynton’s Greatest Hits Part II (The Going to Bed Book, Horns to Toes, Opposites, But Not the Hippopotamus). Another collection, The Big Box of Boynton, has Barnyard Dance! Pajama Time! and Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! All of these titles are also available individually (take it from someone who purchased every single one of these titles before the boxed sets came out).

Portable board books are easy to stash in the diaper bag for a trip to the grandparents house or even a restaurant, and for driving time or bedtime, there are four book/CD sets available with original music co-written by Boynton and performed by an eclectic group of musicians and actors. The most recent release (from 2007) is Blue Moo, featuring 50s and 60s style music, the Grammy-nominated Philadelphia Chickens (a personal favorite, even for someone who’d much rather listen to Mommy’s music than the kid stuff). Some of Broadway’s greatest performers participated in Philadelphia Chickens, including Laura Linney and Patti Lupone. Other Boynton CD titles include Dog Train (the track “I Need a Nap” is the first duet performed by Kate Winslet and Weird Al Yankovic) and the CD that started it all—for Boynton’s musical career, at least—Rhinoceros Tap.

A few of these books have recently been published in Spanish: The Going to Bed Book (Buenas Noches a Todos), Doggies (Perritos), Moo! Baa! La! La! La! (Muu! Bee! Asi Fue!) and Blue Hat, Green Hat (Azul el Sombrero, Verde el Sombrero.)

Over time these books might get a little chewed up around the edges, but there is something about the memory of reading those books to my kids when they were infants and toddlers that prevents us from giving away any part of our Sandra Boynton collection.

For more info: Get a listing of Orlando area Barnes and Noble Bookstores HERE. See a list of Orlando area Borders book stores HERE.