It's fun, and it's one of the easiest things you can do now to prepare your child for school.

Your library has lots to offer you and your baby, right now!

It's all free - paid for with your taxes - and it's never too soon to start taking advantage of it!

• Board Books: Even young children can handle and enjoy these books with sturdy cardboard pages.
• Picture Books: Look for simple, colorful illustrations and a short enough text to keep your child's attention.
• Puzzles: Our circulating puzzle collection includes many with large easy-to-hold wooden pieces.
• Cassettes, CD's: Your child can listen to nursery rhymes, bedtime lullabies and sing-along children's songs as well as all kinds of stories.
• Videos: Children's songs, movies, cartoons, and educational videos are available in the Children's Department. Parenting videos are available in both the Children's and the Adult Departments.

SING to your baby. Tunes and rhymes make listening extra fun.

TALK with your baby. Point out interesting pictures and listen.

PLAY with your baby. Try some fingerplays and little rhyming games.

CUDDLE with your baby. Associate reading times with cozy times.

Babies love very short stories with simple plots, Mother Goose rhymes, and other familiar verses.

Simple hand games like "This Little Piggy" and "Patty Cake" will entertain a child and help him learn new words.

Mother Goose books can be found in the "M" section of the Picture Book area. Try some of the following favorites:

Here are some action rhymes your baby might enjoy.

TWO LITTLE EYES

Two little eyes to look around, (Point to parts of the body)
Two little ears to hear each sound.
One little nose to smell what's sweet,
One little mouth that likes to eat.

'ROUND AND 'ROUND THE GARDEN

'Round and 'round the garden, (walk fingers around tummy)
Goes the Teddy Bear.
One step, two step, (walk fingers toward shoulder)
Tickle you under there! (tickle baby under the arm)

THESE ARE BABY'S FINGERS

These are baby's fingers, (touch fingers)
These are baby's toes. (touch toes)
This is baby's tummy button, (touch belly button)
Round and round it goes. (draw circles on tummy)

Magazines: The library subscribes to several magazines especially for parents. The current issues are available for use in the library. Past issues may be checked out. Some of the magazines include the following:

• Family Fun
• Parenting
• Parents
• Working Mother

Parent's Collection: The Children's Department has a collection of books for parents on child development, parenting, child health care, day care, working parents and books with practical ideas for providing a stimulating environment for your child.

Books, Books, Books: Remember - it is important for your child to see you read. You are your child's best model!