You and your child will play peek-a-boo with adorable illustrations and real photographs of puppies. Susan Ring; Baby Einstein, 2011; $7.99; disneybooks.com, babyeinstein.com.

A simple pop-up book of counting. Kees Moerbeek; Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2011; $15.95; abramsyoungreaders.com.

A clever story of a newborn snake whose spots change color as it grows right before the reader's eyes. Betty Ann Schwartz and Alexander Wilensky; Workman Publishing, 2011; $13.95; workman.com.

Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney's illustrations will ease little ones to sleep. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2011; $16.99; lb-kids.com.

Bailey, the most enthusiastic student at Champlain Elementary, goes through the school day eager to please and achieve. Harry Bliss; Scholastic Press, 2011; $16.99; scholastic.com.

Jo and young readers learn about the wild creatures at a pond. Mary Quattlebaum, illustrated by Laura J. Bryant; Dawn Publications, 2011; $16.95 ($8.95 paperback); DawnPub.com.

Everything is here-cowboys, pirates, submarines, robots, animals and ice cream. Bob Staake; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2011; $16.99; lb-kids.com.

Press here, shake, brush and make this simple book come alive. Translated by Christopher Franceschelli; Chronicle Books, 2010; $16.99; chroniclekids.com.

Ten-year-old Cora loses her mother, and her father must give her newborn sister to Aunt Alma to raise. Then Cora and her father continue their journey along the Oregon Trail. Judy Young, illustrated by Doris Ettlinger; Sleeping Bear Press, 2011; $16.95; sleepingbearpress.com.

Simply told, this book presents a glimpse of the young girl who would become Dr. Jane Goodall. Patrick McDonnell; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2011; $15.99; lb-kids.com.

A celebration of women and men who've made significant contributions to our country's social and cultural greatness. Barack Obama, illustrated by Loren Long; Random House Children's Books, 2011; $17.99; randomhouse.com/kids.

A heartrending ode to the families of West Africa whose loved ones were torn away by slave traders, and then delivered to the harsh fate of slavery in North America. Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Leo & Diane Dillon; Random House Children's Books, 2011; $18.99; randomhouse.com/kids.

The children on Orange Street make surprising discoveries about themselves and their street. Joanne Rocklin; Abrams, 2011; $16.95; abramsbooks.com.

Two stories, 50 years apart, are told in this "Novel with Words and Pictures." Ben's story is told in words and Rose's in pictures. Brian Selznick; Scholastic Press, 2011; $29.99; scholastic.com.

Here's a book that is a kit with remarkably clever tools-a telescope, flashlight and sundial equipping young astronomers to explore the galaxy. Pat Murphy and the Scientists of Klutz Labs; Scholastic Press, 2011; $19.99; klutz.com.

Set at a boys' boarding school, in this book a student is killed in an accident and the surviving characters are left in a precarious position. Jenny Hubbard; Random House Children's Books, 2011; $16.99; randomhouse.com/kids.

An intriguing mystery thriller with spies, chases, kidnapping and stowaways. Rachel Wildavsky; Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2011; $16.95; abramsbooks.com.