2X2 LIST

One list I eagerly await every year is the Texas Library Association's 2X2 list of recommended books for kids aged 2 to grade 2. It's a curated list chosen specifically to inspire and encourage kids to read and fall in love with books. I have read fourteen so far and discovered some new favorites.

                                      

1. Atticus Caticus by Sarah Maizes, illustrated by Kara Kramer - a rhyming book about a boy and his cat - lots of fun made up words!
   
2. Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder - all about loving your body.
   
3. Brains! Not Just a Zombie Snack by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Matthew Rivera - an informational book about brains told by - a zombie! Lots of great information presented in a fun way - I bet you will learn something new!
   
4. Burt the Beetle Doesn’t Bite by Ashley Spires - Burt wants a superpower but he can't quite figure out what his is... until he is called on to save his friends! Learning about bugs is always fun.
   
5. Butterflies Are Pretty…Gross by Rosemary Mosco, illustrated by Jacob Souva - Warning -- this book contains top-secret information about butterflies!
6. Chez Bob by Bob Shea (see what the author did there? Chez Bob by Bob Shea? pretty clever!) - A hungry but lazy alligator decides he can make life simple by opening a restaurant for birds on his snout.
   
7. Circle Under Berry by Carter Higgins - A thought provoking concept book!
   
8. Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It) by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman - Some people don't like hugs and that's OK.
   
9. Have You Seen Gordon? by Adam Jay Epstein, illustrated by Ruth Chan - Did anyone ever ask Waldo if he wanted to be found? A fun new spin on a seek and find book that is quite clever.
   
10. Inside Cat by Brandan Wenzel - Look at the world from inside the church where cat lives. I love this book!
    
11. Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor - Mel is a young kingfisher and today she is going to learn how to fly!
    
12. My First Day by Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien - All about overcoming your fears on the first day of school but in a different way than most kids experience it.
    
13. Norman Didn’t Do It! (Yes, He Did) by Ryan T. Higgins - Norman, Norman, Norman. Jealousy will only get you into trouble. A tale of a truly unique friendship.
    
14. Not Now, Cow by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Troy Cummings - It has a cow, so obviously it is a great book. Even if cow is a bit clueless about the seasons.
    
15. One-osaurus, Two-osaurus by Kim Norman, illustrated by Pierre Collet-Derby  - It is hard to go wrong with counting and dinosaurs.
    
16. Poem in My Pocket by Chris Tougas, illustrated by Josee Bisaillon - A poetry writing adventure.
    
17. Seaside Stroll by Charles Trevino, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga - This book is brought to you by the letter S!
    
18. Someone Builds The Dream by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Loren Long - Never enough books about achieving dreams!
    
19. The Midnight Fair by Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Mariachiaira Di Giorgio - A lovely, magical, wordless adventure. Did you ever wonder what happens at the fair when the sun goes down? What if the animals came to visit?
    
20. Wonder Walkers - by Micha Archer Bored? Go on a wonder walk!