The Monster at the End of this Book Starring Lovable, Furry Old Grover by Jon Stone

For original illustrations and very groovy colors try to get your hands on an original Little Golden Book version (published in 1971).  For anyone who may not have read it, Grover spends the entire book trying to get you to not turn the page, thus avoiding the monster at the end.  He's in hysterics by the end when you manage to break through the brick wall he's constructed.

I ordered this one for myself before E was even born and was surprised when he took it off the shelf a few months ago and handed it to me to read. He's never seen Sesame St but seems to be very excited by Grover nonetheless. I can remember reading it to one of my nephews when he was about 5 years old but I think much younger children will still enjoy it.  We don't always get through the text word for word but something about the pictures, the colors and Grover on the verge of a nervous breakdown makes this one a favorite that should last for another few years at least.

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

A dear friend/family from my NC gave this book to us just after E was born.  Online reviews seem to target it for a 2-5 year old audience but we've been reading it since he was about 10 months old.  The pictures are fantastically colorful and little Llama's facial expressions are fun and engaging.  It's a sweet story about the bedtime hour and it works as a simple narrative. The sing song rhyming makes it particularly easy to read aloud and as a result it holds the interest of even very young children.  I've given this book as a gift to children aged 12 months to 4 years old and it's been a hit across the board. Our copy has been ripped to shreds by excited little hands but it's not really an issue seeing as I've memorized by now!

Anna Dewdney (http://www.annadewdney.com/Annas_website/Home.html) has a whole range of fun books about Llama Llama and other animal characters but this one is my favorite by far.