Some of my former listeners are now parents themselves. This post is dedicated to them and the many happy readings we enjoyed together. Some of them might remember opening the magic cupboard to see what books were inside, or perhaps the moment a listener who was particularly attentive wore the Good Listener crown home. Here is a trio of their favorite stories featuring some unusual babies:

THE ELEPHANT AND THE BAD BABY by Elfrida Vipont with pictures by Raymond Briggs from Puffin Books

Once upon a time an elephant met a bad baby while taking a walk. When offered a ride, the bad baby said, Yes.” So begins a sneaky and wild romp as the elephant snatches various snacks from vendors, offers them to the baby, who always says yes, and nothing is legally purchased. A parade of angry people including the ice-cream-man, the grocer, the snack-bar-man, and others are soon running after the two who have not once said, “Please.” What will happen when the bad baby and all his his followers eventually meet up with his mommy?

One illustration shows a sly elephant trunk reaching for fruit from a cart, while the rest of his enormous bulk is hidden behind it. I read this to the kindergarten children, and toddlers will love it too. It has the predictable rhythm perfect for younger listeners. You will know illustrator Raymond Briggs from his marvelous wordless picture book “The Snowman”.

AVOCADO BABY by John Burningham, illustrations by the author Published by Random House Children’s Books

Mr. and Mrs. Hargraves and their two children cannot get the new baby to eat anything, and they are afraid it will turn out as weak as they all are. Things begin to improve when a mashed avocado is fed to the baby, and he likes it. Before you know it the baby is helping to carry in the groceries, move heavy furniture, and with each meal of avocado his strength increases. The Hargraves children have nothing to fear with Avocado Baby in the house, and perhaps outside as well….

One of my listeners gave avocadoes a try after we read this book. The idea of a baby with great strength was always incredibly funny to children sitting on the storytime carpet!

BABY BRAINS written and illustrated by Simon James Published by Candlewick Press

Mr. and Mrs. Brains took care to read aloud to their baby before he was born, turning up the news so baby Brains would be very smart from day one. When their baby was born, they were thrilled to bring home a new baby boy. “Sleep tight, Baby Brains,” his mother whispered as she put her baby to sleep in his brand new crib. The next morning she discovered Baby Brains sitting on the coach reading the morning paper. By evening Baby Brains was talking, and his first request was that he start school right away. News of this extraordinary baby brought an invitation for him to travel far from home. Will the parents accept and what is ahead for Baby Brains?

Baby Brains returns in two more books for his many fans. I shared this with second grade students and it kept their rapt attention to the gentle and sweet conclusion. Humor abounds in each detail of the illustrations which can be appreciated by readers of all ages.

WHAT DO YOU WANT? Written and illustrated by Lars Klinting Published by Groundwood Books/ House of Anansi Press

The artwork in this very simple BEDTIME STORY is so appealing, you can’t help picking it up and sharing it with someone. A first page shows a rooster who wants…..flip the page and the answer is, his hen. A chair wants its table, a foot wants its shoe, and so on. Each object is clearly depicted with plenty of white space around it. This is available as a board book, so your toddler can have their own sturdy copy. It is all a first book should be, pages that reveal surprises, and a perfect pace down to the last picture of a pillow and its sleeping child.