Thematic Reading List: The World Around Me

The outside world is filled with beauty and wonderful things. The books in this list begin to introduce readers ages 0-3 to the world around them, including different seasons, landscapes, and interesting features. The format and structure of these books are ideally suited to serve as captivating guides to very young children.
Contributed by: Mary Lanni

	All Around the Seasons By: Barney Saltzberg Illustrations and rhymes celebrate what makes each season special, from baby chicks in the spring through a snowman in the winter.
	Chalk By: Bill Thompson A wordless picture book about three children who go to a park on a rainy day, find some chalk and draw pictures that come to life.
	In My World By: Lois Ehlert Describes some of the many things in the natural world, such as worms, seashells, flowers, and stars, that a child can appreciate, illustrated in silhouette.
	Let’s Go Outside By: Kate Riggs Illustrated by: Monique Felix Illustrations and easy-to-read text introduce pairs of opposite words as a dog is taken for an early morning walk.
	More! By: Sheilagh Noble Two lively toddlers go for a walk in the park and see ducks, a dog, and swings.
	Noodle Loves the Park By: Marion Billet When Noodle visits the park, he sees all the different plants and animals. On board pages.
	Rainy Day By: Caroline Church A young boy gets dressed to play in the rain and must put on his rain pants, sweater, slicker, and rain hat before going outside. On board pages.
	Seasons of Joy: Every Day is for Outdoor Play By: Claudia Marie Lenart A variety of children invites the reader to join them in enjoying playing outside in all four seasons.
	Slither Slide, What’s Outside By: Nora Hilb, Simon and Sheryl Shapiro Children jump, slide, stargaze, color, and engage in other forms of play to celebrate the changing of the seasons.
	Spot Goes to the Park By: Eric Hill Spot the puppy, his mother, and his animal friends have a fun-filled day playing in the park. Movable flaps conceal portions of the illustrations and text.
	Step Gently Out By: Helen Frost Illustrated by: Rick Lieder Step gently out, be still and look closely at the world just outside your door-you are sure to be amazed by the tiny creatures you can find. You might see a cricket leap and land, a moth open her wings, a spider walking across the air, or maybe even a praying mantis looking back at you!
	What’s the Weather? By: Jo Moon Asks readers to identify different kinds of weather by opening the flaps, then explains what causes them, from rain and snow to wind and lightning.