Books in Sesame Beginnings series

In their first year, two of a baby’s most important developmental milestones are mastering imitating others and learning to play simple games. What combines both better than a game of Peekaboo? This flap book offers babies an interactive game of Peekaboo, with each spread featuring a close-up of a Sesame Street Muppet hiding behind sturdy, hand-shaped flaps that open to reveal the character’s full face. Simple rhyming text offers clues to help babies and toddlers to identify the character before opening the flaps.

Baby and toddler firsts are always cause for celebration. This Sesame Beginnings board book highlights several firsts, among them: smiling, waving, speaking, walking, and getting a haircut—each of which is another developmental step on the path to becoming a big kid! Little ones are encouraged throughout to remember their own first times, or to ask the adult reader to help them visualize it. A touch-and-feel element that simulates the trimmings of Baby Grover's first haircut adds to the interactivity.

This Sesame Beginnings board book tackles the topic of making mistakes. Separate vignettes show the Sesame Babies making small blunders, such as accidentally bopping another with a squishy ball, tipping a bowl of cereal, splattering paint on the wall, or tearing a page in a book. In each instance, the little one is reassured that it's okay to make mistakes—because everybody does sometimes—and that a remedy is at hand. The oopsies are those common to all toddlers, and the tone throughout is soothing and supportive. A simple pull-tab at the end lets tots help Elmo set his own "OOPS!" (a cup of spilled milk) to rights.