Dog Comes Too, by Hazel Hutchins (illustrated by Gosia Mosz)

Dog Comes Too

Author: Hazel Hutchins

Illustrator: Gosia Mosz

Publisher: Annick Press

Publication Date: February 7, 2013

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I love, love, love how Hazel Hutchins uses word play in her books for toddlers. Okay, it isn't really "word play" as much as it is using the same words in a variety of ways. In Dog Comes Too the words are "too" (and to, two) and "big." She reinforces the word usage by using them in different phrases on each page, each featuring the delightfully scampy dog. And it's never too young to learn the difference between "too," "two" and "to"! There are MANY teenagers who still don't seem to know!

Cat Comes Too, by Hazel Hutchins (illustrated by Gosia Mosz)

Cat Comes Too

Author: Hazel Hutchins 

Illustrator: Gosia Mosz

Publisher: Annick Press

Publication Date: February 7, 2013

Buy Now on Amazon.com

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The thing I love most about Hazel Hutchins charmingly simple books for young children is that they reinforce word usage by using the same words in a variety of contexts. In Cat Comes Too, the words she features are "too" (and to, two) and "little." It's not that there are necessarily a lot of different meanings of the word, but toddlers will still enjoy recognizing its usage on each page ("too crowded, little climb," "too small, little push," "too little to get out"). I just love that a book aimed at toddlers thinks to do that!

Now if only she'd write a book for teenagers explaining "your" and "you're"!