If I Were a Whale written by Shelley Gill, illustrated by Erik Brooks
One of our Children's Books Department staff's new favorite board books, and a great book to read after Goodnight Moon.

Introducing the perfect collection of infant books for your little one! These are Bookshop Santa Cruz staff's favorite board books for infants. they are designed to engage and captivate your baby's imagination while also promoting cognitive and language development. From classic nursery rhymes to modern-day stories, these books are sure to become a beloved part of your baby's early years.
One of our Children's Books Department staff's new favorite board books, and a great book to read after Goodnight Moon.
One of our Children's Books Department staff's new favorite board books, and a great book to read after Goodnight Moon.
One of our Children's Books Department staff's new favorite board books, and a great book to read after Goodnight Moon.
As fresh as a toddler’s first experience of rain, Raindrops Roll is our favorite infant book of the year. With stunning photography magnifying beads of water on a leaf, dripping branches, and insects taking cover, it pulls you into the intimate world of a raindrop. The humorous, perfectly crafted rhyme reminds us, playfully, of the web of life. An utterly satisfying lesson in wonder. —Tera
Stella is a vivacious older sister who leads her little brother Sam through the winter season using their collective curiosity and imagination. Accompanied by the fanciful illustrations seen in all the Stella books, Stella and Sam explore snow and ice and all things winter while furthering their heartfelt relationship and their love of nature in all forms. Reading this book will make you want to grab your nearest sibling and go exploring. —Casey
“This clever book combines color recognition, die-cut peek-a-boo holes, animals, and a guessing game into a successful and appealing whole that will have young listeners asking for more…. Each ‘I spy’ page includes visual hints about the upcoming animal’s habitat, alongside the textual clues.” —School Library Journal.
Starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and School Library Journal.
Preschool
A young Inuit child tests her mother, something that children do not infrequently whether they live in Alaska or Santa Cruz. What if, she asks her mom, I behaved in a less-than-admirable fashion: Would you still love me? The mother’s answers are wise and, indeed, loving. Striking watercolors and a rhythmic text charm in this new-at-last-in-paperback edition. Ages 2–5.