Not to brag or anything, but… my 19-month-old can name one of the sisters from the novel Pride and Prejudice. … Well, okay, only because it also happens to be the same as one of his cousins… but still, I'll take it!
Why are we even talking about classic novels at this age? Maybe because I am an English teacher and Just. Can't. Help. Myself.
But seriously, if not now, when? Why wait to show kids that oldies can be goodies? If they grow up having FUN with the classics, they will not be afraid of the "wherefore art thous" of Shakespeare, or the complicated love triangles of Austen.
It's all about the playfulness, remember? And what is more playful than a picture book? Why, a Shakespearean BabyLit picture book of course!
You know your mama's an English teacher if...
...she oohs and ahhs over Baby Shakespeare books
...she tells you she's going to have you "write that in your journal" when you do something funny
...she corrects your grammar before you're even two years old
...she explains how words can function as both nouns and verbs when you are confused by her using "train" as a verb (and ignores the blank stare you give her)
...she happily recounts your quoting Alice in Wonderland when Daddy gets home from work
...she can't wait to read more BabyLit titles to you at bedtime
Big Classics in Baby Sized Books!
Yes, it's true, we've been immersed in a new set of classics over here, thanks to BabyLit!
This series is genius, and I wish I had thought of it myself!
Little Miss Bronte's Jane Eyre is a "counting primer" that details the scenes from this classic piece of literature beautifully! The illustrations beautifully fit the time period of the story and are finely detailed. Your child will count through the basic framework of the story of "One Governess" and her Mr. Rochester.
Baby Lit Little Master Carroll's Alice in Wonderland departs from counting and instead dives into the world of colors! My son struggled recognizing certain colors, and I fully believe reading this book helped him recognize a the similar colors like black, brown, and purple! (He's still figuring out yellow!). You can actually retell the Alice story right from the White Rabbit, through the colorful bottles Alice finds (my son loves when I read the labels "Blech!" and "Ick!"), and of course the Red Hearts. (And, I know, Wonderland can be a terrifying tale, but it's easy to boil it down to just the fun details with this picture book!).
The other day, my son was playing nearby and I heard him quoting the Blue Caterpillar, saying, "Whooo are Youuu?" It was so funny to know he'd learned that from our reading!
Books to engage the littlest readers
Aren't these books cute? They even have several of the plays by Shakespeare! I have had SO much fun counting my way through Romeo & Juliet and Austen Bablit Books!
One balcony. Five sisters. If you already know the stories, you will see humor and ingenuity in each choice. See, classic literature does not have to be dusty and stodgey.
And best of all… my son LOVES these books. He tells me all about the sheep in the house at Longbourn, or the tunnels under the bridges in Verona. Each picture has little details that make it fun to linger on each page, naming each object.
One day… I'll read him the full stories… and he'll be ready!
"With clever, simple counting text by Jennifer Adams, paired with stylish design and illustrations by Sugar's Alison Oliver, Little Miss Austen and Little Master Shakespeare are a must for every savvy parent's nursery library."
Reading the classics to your child becomes exciting and refreshing with the BabyLit series, and will cultivate an interest for quality literature while they are young. Each BabyLit title is a heavy duty board book and is perfect as a gift item (I would've wanted these before I had children, honestly, they are that clever!).
What do you think of these classic literature picture books?
I think these books are a terrific idea and I would love to see inside each and every one of them.
yeloechikee at hotmail dot com
I think these books are a terrific idea and I would love to see inside each and every one of them.
yeloechikee at hotmail dot com
I first heard of the BabyLit books right here on your (awesome!) blog. It's an intriguing idea! I really like the concept...
And, yes! I'm another of those grammarian moms -- but my little people have to endure my correcting grammar in two languages right now... 🙂
I first heard of the BabyLit books right here on your (awesome!) blog. It's an intriguing idea! I really like the concept...
And, yes! I'm another of those grammarian moms -- but my little people have to endure my correcting grammar in two languages right now... 🙂
i've seen similar books for artists, which my daughter (an artist) loved for her toddlers; i'm thinking these will be good introductions, too
i've seen similar books for artists, which my daughter (an artist) loved for her toddlers; i'm thinking these will be good introductions, too
Haha! YES! I was an English major (planned to be an English teacher myself but was due the February after I graduated and knew that I wanted to be a SAHM). Seeing Jane Eyre and Alice in Wonderland in these easy-to-understand books thrills my bookworm self! I'm hoping to add them to our collection whether I win them or not. 🙂
Haha! YES! I was an English major (planned to be an English teacher myself but was due the February after I graduated and knew that I wanted to be a SAHM). Seeing Jane Eyre and Alice in Wonderland in these easy-to-understand books thrills my bookworm self! I'm hoping to add them to our collection whether I win them or not. 🙂
These books look fantastic- I would love to have them for my daughter. I was the coordinator of a literacy program at my work, so I know firsthand the importance of reading to your kids, even as babies!
These books look fantastic- I would love to have them for my daughter. I was the coordinator of a literacy program at my work, so I know firsthand the importance of reading to your kids, even as babies!
What a clever idea! And i love the fact that they are chew proof, my daughter is six months and everything goes into her mouth!
What a clever idea! And i love the fact that they are chew proof, my daughter is six months and everything goes into her mouth!
Glad Jane Eyre is a counting book. It would be hard to make Mrs. Rochester rated G.
Glad Jane Eyre is a counting book. It would be hard to make Mrs. Rochester rated G.
OMG, I *love* these!! I think they work as a great introduction to various classic works, so that when my son and I read the actual "Alice in Wonderland", he'll already know some of the characters! Love it.
OMG, I *love* these!! I think they work as a great introduction to various classic works, so that when my son and I read the actual "Alice in Wonderland", he'll already know some of the characters! Love it.
These books look so great! I would love to read them to my boys!
These books look so great! I would love to read them to my boys!
This is really a wonderful idea! I just had to call my literature snob son over to see this lol! He approved, also lol!!
This is really a wonderful idea! I just had to call my literature snob son over to see this lol! He approved, also lol!!
This is such a good idea! I love the idea of classics in kids books.
This is such a good idea! I love the idea of classics in kids books.
I would love these books for a friend who teaches English and is having a baby.
I would love these books for a friend who teaches English and is having a baby.
I love these! I think my 3 year old would really like them (and the 1 year old will soon, too!). He's gotten to where I can (mostly) trust him to be careful with "real" books, but I love for him to have board books in his room that he can look at in the mornings and after naps that I don't have to worry about pages tearing.
I love these! I think my 3 year old would really like them (and the 1 year old will soon, too!). He's gotten to where I can (mostly) trust him to be careful with "real" books, but I love for him to have board books in his room that he can look at in the mornings and after naps that I don't have to worry about pages tearing.
This is an awesome giveaway! Alice in Wonderland is my favorite story of all time. I actually collect copies of the book and haven't seen this one. This is one i could actually read to my kids. My other copies are more the classic, mostly words and my one really illustrated one is kept sealed. Thank you for the chance to win!
This is an awesome giveaway! Alice in Wonderland is my favorite story of all time. I actually collect copies of the book and haven't seen this one. This is one i could actually read to my kids. My other copies are more the classic, mostly words and my one really illustrated one is kept sealed. Thank you for the chance to win!
I have never seen these books before, but my kids love books and I would love to win this for them.
I have never seen these books before, but my kids love books and I would love to win this for them.
My kids love books; and I love the idea of giving them a framework for classic literature so young!!
My kids love books; and I love the idea of giving them a framework for classic literature so young!!
I'd like to read the books to my baby and then pass them on to a friend that is due at the end of the summer
I'd like to read the books to my baby and then pass them on to a friend that is due at the end of the summer
These look great! I would love to win and give these to my sister to read to her two little girls! They'll love it! Thank you 🙂
These look great! I would love to win and give these to my sister to read to her two little girls! They'll love it! Thank you 🙂
These books look great. My babylit years are still upon me... my daughter is 5 days old 🙂
These books look great. My babylit years are still upon me... my daughter is 5 days old 🙂
I think this is awesome! What a great way to introduce the classics to my child 🙂
I think this is awesome! What a great way to introduce the classics to my child 🙂
I love discovering new books for my young ones to love, these look like they would be a great addition to our library.
I love discovering new books for my young ones to love, these look like they would be a great addition to our library.
it seems like a great way to introduce younger kids to these books!
it seems like a great way to introduce younger kids to these books!
What a fabulous way to introduce great literature to our wee ones!
What a fabulous way to introduce great literature to our wee ones!
Oooh...I'd love to look these over myself, then pass them on to one of the numerous people I know who have recently had new babies!
Oooh...I'd love to look these over myself, then pass them on to one of the numerous people I know who have recently had new babies!
ive seen these. they are totally adorable and fun.
ive seen these. they are totally adorable and fun.
My children would love this books!
My children would love this books!
What a good idea! I remember reading the abridged versions of classics as a child and feeling so grown up. The artwork on these books also looks spectacular. They would definitely be displayed on the front of my little girl's book shelf.
What a good idea! I remember reading the abridged versions of classics as a child and feeling so grown up. The artwork on these books also looks spectacular. They would definitely be displayed on the front of my little girl's book shelf.
I THINK THESE BOOKS ARE GREAT (I WILL ADMIT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THEM)
I THINK THESE BOOKS ARE GREAT (I WILL ADMIT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THEM)
I think they are a great idea.
I think they are a great idea.
Love the classics!! I know we would get great use of these wonderful books
Love the classics!! I know we would get great use of these wonderful books
I'm very interested to see what they are like since you've talked so highly about them. I wonder if my public library has them?
I'm very interested to see what they are like since you've talked so highly about them. I wonder if my public library has them?
it looks like a great intro to some classics
it looks like a great intro to some classics
When I was in high school, I was so frustrated because class mates would say, "I don't understand what Shakespeare saying in The Merchant of Venice." They kept whining about it and the teacher gave in and we stopped reading it. There were a few problems with that scenario.
I think these books would be a great way to introduce classic literature to children. I also think this would teach children they don't have to be afraid of Austen, Shakespeare, Bronte, etc.
When I was in high school, I was so frustrated because class mates would say, "I don't understand what Shakespeare saying in The Merchant of Venice." They kept whining about it and the teacher gave in and we stopped reading it. There were a few problems with that scenario.
I think these books would be a great way to introduce classic literature to children. I also think this would teach children they don't have to be afraid of Austen, Shakespeare, Bronte, etc.
This is awesome. Reading the same book time and time again can get old. This looks fun!
Kims2312@verizon.net
This is awesome. Reading the same book time and time again can get old. This looks fun!
Kims2312@verizon.net
Haven't you given another book in this series away before?? LOL I love them as much now as I did then! I would still love to see Grendel and Dracula. I have a daughter that is into vampires and monsters. What can I say - it's hereditary...and from both sides of the family! Poor child! 😉
Haven't you given another book in this series away before?? LOL I love them as much now as I did then! I would still love to see Grendel and Dracula. I have a daughter that is into vampires and monsters. What can I say - it's hereditary...and from both sides of the family! Poor child! 😉
I love them!! A great intro into classic lit. Great idea!!
I love them!! A great intro into classic lit. Great idea!!
I love adding books to our collection and we don't have anything like these! Thanks for making the introduction 🙂
I love adding books to our collection and we don't have anything like these! Thanks for making the introduction 🙂
I adore this series. The artist encapsulates the mood of the original text into dear, sweet images by which a child will be mesmerized.
I adore this series. The artist encapsulates the mood of the original text into dear, sweet images by which a child will be mesmerized.
I love the idea of mixing classics and basics like number and color learning. Thanks for sharing these with us.
I love the idea of mixing classics and basics like number and color learning. Thanks for sharing these with us.
Love the concept! I like how it simplifies the stories so kids can enjoy them too. My daughter loves books, these would be awesome to share with her!
Love the concept! I like how it simplifies the stories so kids can enjoy them too. My daughter loves books, these would be awesome to share with her!
One of my favorite books is Alice in Wonderland, a classic! I would love to be able to share this with my grandchildren as reading is so important to me.
One of my favorite books is Alice in Wonderland, a classic! I would love to be able to share this with my grandchildren as reading is so important to me.
I will win. Lol just kidding. I've actually had these books on my daughter's amazon.com wishlist for a while. So cute, huh?
I will win. Lol just kidding. I've actually had these books on my daughter's amazon.com wishlist for a while. So cute, huh?
My husband is a English teacher and would love these for our kids. He teaches a lot of the classics and what a fun way to tell the stories to the young ones. He might be able to use them with his ninth graders too:)
My husband is a English teacher and would love these for our kids. He teaches a lot of the classics and what a fun way to tell the stories to the young ones. He might be able to use them with his ninth graders too:)
I think they are great.... so awesome to start kids early with quality books.
I think they are great.... so awesome to start kids early with quality books.
I never knew these existed! lol and i love them! any way to expose children to classic literature..on their level and teach them at the same time is such a creative and wonderful idea! thank you for introducing me to these books!
I never knew these existed! lol and i love them! any way to expose children to classic literature..on their level and teach them at the same time is such a creative and wonderful idea! thank you for introducing me to these books!
I love how literature is being transformed for young minds so they can learn to appreciate at a young age.
I love how literature is being transformed for young minds so they can learn to appreciate at a young age.
These books keep popping up everywhere! Everyone seems to love them. The Pride and Prejudice one seems amazing. The artwork is so thoughtful it seems from the different covers.
These books keep popping up everywhere! Everyone seems to love them. The Pride and Prejudice one seems amazing. The artwork is so thoughtful it seems from the different covers.
Ooooh, what an intriguing series. I like it. We're ordering some of our favorite books that keep getting checked out of the library - The Smallest Stegosaurus is on the top of our list and some friends of our just brought back a book from the UK titled the Whale and the Snail - we love it, too. My apologies, Mrs. English teacher, for my run on sentences. I am afraid medicine is terrible at proper grammar. Even the last physician I worked for had an undergrad degree in English lit and he gave up after a while. Sigh.
I think it is never too soon to introduce the classics. Although, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a classic children's book around here at the moment.
Cleaver post. Well done.
Ooooh, what an intriguing series. I like it. We're ordering some of our favorite books that keep getting checked out of the library - The Smallest Stegosaurus is on the top of our list and some friends of our just brought back a book from the UK titled the Whale and the Snail - we love it, too. My apologies, Mrs. English teacher, for my run on sentences. I am afraid medicine is terrible at proper grammar. Even the last physician I worked for had an undergrad degree in English lit and he gave up after a while. Sigh.
I think it is never too soon to introduce the classics. Although, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a classic children's book around here at the moment.
Cleaver post. Well done.
Oh Julie, the irony in this sentence: "she corrects your grammar before YOUR even two years old" made me laugh! You're the best.
Anyway, I love the idea for these books, and Jane Eyre has always been one of my favorite classics. I'm with you...wish I'd have thought of this! 🙂 Would love to win for my girls.
Oh Julie, the irony in this sentence: "she corrects your grammar before YOUR even two years old" made me laugh! You're the best.
Anyway, I love the idea for these books, and Jane Eyre has always been one of my favorite classics. I'm with you...wish I'd have thought of this! 🙂 Would love to win for my girls.
I LOVE reading to my children and am so excited the classics come in a form that they can enjoy too!
I LOVE reading to my children and am so excited the classics come in a form that they can enjoy too!
My kids LOVE books and Jane Eyre is one of my favorites. I am excited to start these with them )
My kids LOVE books and Jane Eyre is one of my favorites. I am excited to start these with them )
wow i love the amazing covers- these look like such fun books- im sure my daughter would love to have them as part of her collection
wow i love the amazing covers- these look like such fun books- im sure my daughter would love to have them as part of her collection
I love these Baby Lit books. My favorite are the masques in Romeo and Juliet.
I love these Baby Lit books. My favorite are the masques in Romeo and Juliet.
I think they are great, both my girls love books and I think this is a great way to be able to introduce them to the classics early!
I think they are great, both my girls love books and I think this is a great way to be able to introduce them to the classics early!
Oh my gosh... I'd never heard of these until now! How cute! I'll definitely be getting some of these for my baby girl's first birthday! Thanks for talking about them. 😉
Oh my gosh... I'd never heard of these until now! How cute! I'll definitely be getting some of these for my baby girl's first birthday! Thanks for talking about them. 😉
I just added these to my amazon wish list !! Love me some board books
I just added these to my amazon wish list !! Love me some board books
I love these! The artwork is amazing, they would be an amazing add to our nursery bookshelf 🙂
I love these! The artwork is amazing, they would be an amazing add to our nursery bookshelf 🙂
Oh, yeah ... I LOVE this concept!!! I am a bit puzzled by using "Alice," as (IMO) that's already a children's book, but I absolutely love the addition of Jane Eyre 🙂 I must win, otherwise I will have to buy them for myself. And I'm right there with ya on the English Teacher mom thing 🙂
Oh, yeah ... I LOVE this concept!!! I am a bit puzzled by using "Alice," as (IMO) that's already a children's book, but I absolutely love the addition of Jane Eyre 🙂 I must win, otherwise I will have to buy them for myself. And I'm right there with ya on the English Teacher mom thing 🙂