Board

Touch the pumpkin's waxy orange skin. Stroke the velvet coat of a pint-sized wizard. Halloween is a time of sensory delights, and this chunky little board book celebrates some spine-chilling tactile sensations, like a scruffy pirate's beard and the silky black fur of a witch's cat. Young readers brought up on Pat the Bunny will love feeling the various textures of Halloween, and may be inspired with new ideas for this year's costume. DK's trademark crisp photos against a white background are always a pleasure to see, especially with the accompanying large, simple text. Colorful pictures of children in costume, treasure chests, jack-o'-lanterns, and, of course, candy, will put readers in the right mood for the spookiest night of the year. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter

A house truly becomes a home when there's someone to share it with. Olaf the elephant and his best buddy Venus the mouse fill a house with happiness, as they eat cheese, splash in the tub, and snuggle up to sleep.

The beauty of Pierre Pratt's series for babies and preschoolers is its simplicity. Young readers can make up the story as they go along or just enjoy the lovely illustrations and one-word pages. In Home, Olaf seems lonely in his armchair ("chair") until he picks up the phone ("telephone") to call his friend Venus, who quickly shows up ("door"). Younger readers will love the bright, grainy colors and the unlikely friendship between an elephant and a mouse. Slightly older kids will practice their early reading skills and can elaborate on the story they see in the pictures. The Very Busy Life of Olaf and Venus series includes Park, Shopping, and Car. (Baby to Preschool) --Emilie Coulter