Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes (Board Book)

At first glance, this book appears to be simply an illustration of a kids song. Some reviewers have complained that that's all there is..so why buy it. But actually, there is a lot more there if you look. First of all, while illustrated songs seem like an odd choice sometimes to adults, little kids LOVE them. Invariably, they are the ones my two year old brings to me again and again. They are also the first books that kids are able to memorize. This is important because they like to pull them out when they are playing independently, and model reading on their own. What a satisfying experience for a pre-reader! Plus, for parents for whom it doesn't come as naturally to bring music into their children's lives, these sorts of books are a great way to do so. This book does an excellent job of being really clear with the pictures lining up the words and the body parts. The first line, she gives each body part it's very own page, so that they can be large and really obvious -- the little animal on the page mirroring the same body part as the baby is also very adorable. When she gets to eyes, ears, mouth and nose, she adds another dimension by putting in item on the page that you can do with that body part -- for eyes - books, for ears - baby instruments, for mouth - baby food and sippy cup, and for nose - flowers. So there is a discussion element if you are reading this with your baby and choose to take it. The back of the book has the last "knees and toes" echo...pretty cute, and also has the whole song written out under a staff with musical notes. My older daughter has taken to grabbing this 'baby' book and asking how to pluck it out on her little piano keyboard. So the book can have a second life for that purpose later on. The pictures of the babies are endearing.. I love their happy little faces. It is worth noting that while the babies are definitely different "shades" -- it's hardly what I'd call multi-cultural, which is a shame because there's no reason why it couldn't have been. She did throw in a couple girls. All and all, if the multicultural issue doesn't concern you, I'd recommend this highly for your own little on, or for a gift.

My niece just loves this book! She is 9 months old and this is the book she always wants to have read to her, or the book the chooses to just look at the pictures.

My husband and I were trying to teach out daughter where her eyes, nose, mouth etc were. My husband has never heard this song so it was hard for him to do with our daughter. I found this book and now this is daddy's book to read. within a week our daughter knows where her body parts are and how to say and she loves reading it with her dad. I would recommend this book.

My daughter loves this book. She is 14 months old and thanks to this book she now tries to do the "moves" that go with the song.

Because of the utter simplicity of this book, I was surprised at how quickly it became one of my grandson's favorite books (along with the Row, Row, Row Your Boat, by the same author.) I guess babies all enjoy looking at other babies. I have since ordered these two books for my friend's granddaughter, and she had the same reaction.