The Toronto Public Library's annual First & Best list is part of its Ready for Reading early literacy initiative – a comprehensive set of free high-quality programs, services and resources that supports reading readiness in children from birth to five years.
"The titles on our First & Best Booklist have been carefully chosen by our expert children's librarians as our country's best this year that help develop important early literacy skills," said Lisa Heggum, Children and Youth Advocate for the Toronto Public Library. "Countless studies have shown that spending time reading with your preschool child instils a lifelong love of reading, and opens up countless doors and opportunities in a child's life. I trust parents and caregivers will enjoy sharing these wonderful books with their children again and again."
The First & Best for 2012 are:
Animal Masquerade
Marianne Dubuc
Kids Can Press
Canada in Words
Per-Henrik Gürth
Kids Can Press
Extra Yarn
Mac Barnett
Illus. Jon Klassen
Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins Publisher
I Can Do It Myself! and Now I Am Big!
Stephen Krensky
Illus. Sara Gillingham
Abrams Appleseed
It's a Tiger!
David LaRochelle
Illus. Jeremy Tankard
Chronicle Books
Kiss, Tickle, Cuddle, Hug
Susan Musgrave
Orca Book Publishers
Mr. Zinger's Hat
Cary Fagan
Illus. Dušan Petričić
Tundra Books
Noisy Poems for a Busy Day
Robert Heidbreder
Illus. Lori Joy Smith
Kids Can Press
The Stone Hatchlings
Sarah Tsiang
Illus. Qin Leng
Annick Press
Linda Bailey
Illus. Colin Jack
Kids Can Press
