Board Books for Tiny Ones

Recently, we received three board books by one author, Jon Klassen. I did a little poking and found a board book series by Leo Lionni. A bunch exist. However, since I only found two on the shelf at my branch, I present those two.  So I present to you a cluster of 5 board books, three published in 2025 by Jon Klassen, and 2 published in 1983 by Leo Lionni.  

First, the trilogy by Jon Klassen.

Your Farm

Each of these books opens with, “This is your sun. It is coming up for you.” 

Your Farm: We get one tree, a barn, a horse, and though each item has eyes, they are not creepy but calm. We have been offered our own little world, tucked in each of these three books. 

Your Forest

In Your Forest, we get trees and a cabin and maybe some rocks, but not too many. These books seem simple and the illustrations spare, but it took a lot of work to get them to this level, I imagine. It is a lot easier to make a crowded page than a spare one. The artistry is not immediately evident, but it is definitely there. 

Your Island

In Your Island, you get a palm tree and what? A magic fire? That never goes out? What more could one need? 

Each book ends with, “Now you can sleep too and think about what you will do there tomorrow.” 

I can imagine these books becoming classics, they are just so dear. 

Next, the duo by Leo Lionni.

Who? 

In Who?, we meet many different animals in this book, including a slow turtle, a hungry rabbit, and even a porcupine. Lionni’s illustrations do not disappoint. 

I think my favorite image is the cover (left), in which a curious hen questions two equally curious mice. 

Where?

In Where?, mice are up high, popping out, hidden between, and more! Lionni’s cut paper illustrations of grass, shoes, a bottle, and more, delight, and are still current in 2025, though the original copyright is 1983. I think my favorite image is of a smiling mouse "popping out" of a shoe, and the other mouse is waving to the first mouse. 

Board books are a format for ages 0-3, but I think the Klassen books would be enjoyed by any age, and the illustrations in the Lionni books are exquisite. Consider looking for these the next time you visit your neighborhood library, or better yet, put them on hold today!