See larger image Frogs (Usborne First Reading: Level 3) (Hardcover) By (author) Sarah Courtauld List Price: $8.99 USD New From: $3.85 In Stock Used from: $0.74 In Stock

We are always on the hunt for non-fiction beginning reading books.  Our daughter really loves learning about the world around her.  Astronomy and animals have both particularly captured her interest.  Usborne does a great job with their beginning readers.  Many are non-fiction and they include bright, colorful pictures and text which is a bit larger which makes for easier reading for a preschooler. 

Frogs is part of the Usborne First Reading Series.  It includes details about how frogs grow from tadpoles to adult frogs and how they eat, swim, and keep safe.  The illustrations are charming and help to bring the text to life for the reader.

See larger image Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa (Paperback) By (author) Erica Silverman List Price: $5.95 USD New From: $1.21 In Stock Used from: $0.01 In Stock

I am always thrilled to find engaging beginning chapter books for our daughter.  Much like the Mercy Watson series, Cowgirl Kate books include great colorful pictures and text which is a bit larger than the norm within a chapter book format.  Additionally, I love that Cowgirl Kate handles situations with confidence as well as a healthy does of spunk.

The Cowgirl Kate series is a cute one.  Cowgirl Kate always tries to do her best.  Her horse Cocoa on the other hand is more interested in eating most of the time and is never very interested in going to bed which makes for some funny situations.

See larger image Bread and Jam for Frances (I Can Read Book 2) (Paperback) By (author) Russell Hoban List Price: $3.99 USD New From: $1.06 In Stock Used from: $0.09 In Stock Release date September 9, 2008.

Do you remember reading Bread and Jam for Frances when you were a child?  I do!  This is a great one for developing readers and includes a lesson about the importance of eating a variety of foods in a gentle, loving manner.

The pictures are darling, and the story is delightful.  Frances books have endured the test of time well.  I think our daughter may love them more than I did when I was her age.

See larger image Little Mouse's Big Valentine (Paperback) Used from: $0.24 In Stock

This is my favorite Valentine’s Day book in our collection.  Little Mouse has a very big valentine that he wants to share, but none of his friends are interested because it is just too big.  As he ponders how to solve his dilemma, Little Mouse makes a new friend and together they come up with a solution that allows everyone to enjoy a Valentine’s Day treat. 

See larger image Little Bear's Valentine (Maurice Sendak's Little Bear) (Board book) By (author) Else Holmelund Minarik List Price: $14.99 USD New From: $39.00 In Stock Used from: $28.85 In Stock Release date November 26, 2002.

Little Bear’s Valentine is a a charming tale of a little bear who receives a valentine from a secret admirer.  Little Bear then travels to the homes of his friends to find out if any of them are his secret admirer.  He finally returns home to find his friends there for a Valentine celebration and ultimately learns the identity of his secret admirer.

See larger image Lilly's Chocolate Heart (Board book) By (author) Kevin Henkes List Price: $6.99 USD New From: $3.00 In Stock Used from: $0.01 In Stock Release date December 16, 2003.

Lily’s Chocolate Heart is a favorite at our home, and our daughter is always excited when I pull out our Valentine’s Day books and this gem appears.  Lilly has one more chocolate heart left at bedtime on Valentine’s Day.  She searches and searches for just the right place for her last chocolate heart but finds that none of them are quiet right until she decides to place it safely in her tummy.

See larger image Angelina Loves... (Angelina Ballerina) (Hardcover) By (author) Katharine Holabird List Price: $5.99 USD New From: $0.90 In Stock Used from: $0.01 In Stock Release date January 5, 2006.

Angelina Loves…. revisits scenes from a number of Angelina books to highlight all of the fellow mice she loves as well as activities she loves to do.  I like how this book reaffirms that even when things don’t go as planned an activity can still be fun.  This book is a good fit for preschools and would make an excellent discussion starter regarding who they love and the activities they love.  Angelina lovers will especially appreciate it!

See larger image Who Are You Baby Kangaroo? (Paperback) By (author) Stella Blackstone List Price: $6.99 USD New From: $3.81 In Stock Used from: $0.20 In Stock

Who Are You, Baby Kangaroo? was rediscovered by our four year old this weekend.  As she was trying to figure out what book she wanted me to read to her, she came across this favorite from her toddler days.  She was delighted to realize that this book was now within her grasp as an independent reading book. 

Learning about animals is one of our preschoolers favorite pastimes.  In this book, a little puppy wants to know what a baby kangaroo is called, but the kangaroo will not share the answer.  Ultimately, the puppy goes on a journey to discover the name of baby kangaroo (a joey) and meets a multitude of animal friends and their babies along the way. 

This book is filled with repetition and rhyme and almost has a musical quality when read aloud.  The pictures are bright, colorful, and unique and really make the text come to life.