Kids Books A to Z: T is for Toddler Tools

The Toddler Tools series by Elizabeth Verdick is one of my most favorites to use in my classroom. I received a set of several of them a few years ago, to review when I started my book blogs. My students love the stories and often chant the catch phrases contained within each book. The rhyming text holds their attention while also teaching very important lessons. Parents and teachers can use the reference sections in the back of the book to provide further information about child development and other activities.

Children learn how to use good manners, to clean up after themselves, to separate from Mom and Dad, and how to be good friends. Several new books have been added to the series since I did my initial reviews. I would love to get them so that I can have a complete collection. Find them on Kindle and as board books.




Read an interview I did with author Elizabeth Verdick back in 2009.

Clean-Up Time, a Toddler Tools Book

Clean-Up Time is a part of the Toddler Tools books written by Elizabeth Verdick and illustrated by Marieka Heinlen. This one gives young children the tools needed to successfully clean up a playroom or classroom at the end of the day. The teacher quickly distracts the children from whining and complaining and turns clean-up time into fun. It even uses fun rhyme to encourage them to look around very carefully with their eyes to make sure everything is cleaned up. Children often don't see all of the bits of paper or crayons left behind on the floor and need gentle reminders to clean them up. And it reminds them that once clean-up of this fun time has ended, it is possible to move on to more fun time!

Though this book takes place in a classroom, parents can also use it at home to remind children that they need to clean up there, also. Parents can help their young ones clean up, as the children help each other clean up in this book. One picture has the teacher holding a large basket, into which the children are placing the cars. Children will need help learning how to break down their cleaning tasks, in order to be successful. Cooperation and collaboration, whether at home or at school, are key.

As always, as the end of the book are tips for parents and caregivers to help children be more successful in their clean-up time efforts.

Again, this book is another beneficial addition to any bookshelf used by preschoolers and toddlers.

Purchase Clean-Up Time (Toddler Tools)


I received a copy of this book for reviewing from the publisher, Free Spirit Publishing.

Listening Time, a Toddler Tools book

Listening Time is one of the board books in the Toddler Tools series written by Elizabeth Verdick and illustrated by Marieka Heinlen. It teaches children how to be respectful when in a situation that requires listening, such as circle time at school. I like that it both tells and shows children how to be good listeners. To simply tell a child to be a good listener does no good if the child doesn't understand how to do it.

Verdick tells children to sit criss-cross applesauce. I use the phrase, "My eyes are open and my mouth is closed so that my ears can hear." Her words are quite similar. One set of pages says, "Good listening looks like this." and shows the children sitting respectfully with short legs and hands in their laps. That visual reminder is so important to young children. Then, when the teachers asks who is reading to listen, she shows the children still sitting respectfully, but thinking "Me!" instead of shouting it out.

As always, there is a section for parents and caregivers in the back. The most important thing is to demonstrate how to be a good listener and how to use an "indoor voice". She also provides other tips for teachers at circle time.

Again, this is a great book to use at the beginning of the school year when establishing classroom rules. It's also a great one to which teachers should periodically return to remind children of the listening rules of the classroom.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher, Free Spirit Publishing.

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Sharing Time

Sharing Time is one of the board books in the Toddler Tools series by Elizabeth Verdick. This book introduces the concept of sharing, which is exceptionally hard at this age. Toddlers are in the "egocentric stage". This doesn't mean that they think they are the greatest thing in the world, as the adult version of being "egocentric" implies. Instead, it means that they literally think they are the center of the universe, and have difficulty understanding the needs of others. Everything they see belongs to them.

This book demonstrates words that can be used when a child wants to share something another child is using. "May I use that?" "Can I have a turn?" are important phrases for children to understand and to use. Ideally, the other person will say yes, but sometimes the other child is going to say no. Strategies are given for the child who has been denied: take a deep breath, ask for help, etc.

It's important for children to understand that they can't take something away from another person without permission. It's important for them to understand that they have the right to say no when asked to share, but can offer up some sort of a compromise for later. This book is a great way to lay that foundation.

In my classroom, we also utilize a Peace Table to help children use these words and to compromise on sharing materials and friends.

Purchase Sharing Time (Toddler Tools)

I received a review copy of this title from the publisher, Free Spirit Publishing.

Bye-Bye Time Board Book

Bye-Bye Time is one of the board books in Elizabeth Verdick's Toddler Tools series. This one addresses the tough issue of separating from the parent when arriving at daycare, school, or even a babysitter.

The book clearly acknowledges the conflicting feelings of the child, who is scared to leave her parent, though happy about the activities in which she can now participate. It provides a sample "bye-bye" routine that parents and children can follow. Routine is very important to young children, as it helps them feel secure in knowing what comes next. It shows the child some options for self-calming, such as breathing deeply, crying, and going to a quiet corner. My favorite illustration is the one of the other children trying to console the sad child, including offering a tissue, as we encourage our children to do this in my classroom.

As always, at the end of the book are strategies and tips for parents to follow. It's nice to see the words that come out of my mouth to parents being echoed in a book. Prepare the child for saying goodbye. Have a goodbye routine. Don't sneak out, as the child will become more nervous and agitated upon realizing you're gone. But go ahead and go, as the child usually does calm down within a few minutes.

This is a book that I am going to recommend to all of my new parents, and to those whose children are still having difficulty with goodbyes.

Purchase Bye-Bye Time (Toddler Tools)

I received a review copy of this title from the publisher, Free Spirit Publishing.

Manners Time

Manners Time is one of the books in Elizabeth Verdick's Toddler Tools series. This board book teaches young children how to be polite. They learn how to say "Hello" and "Goodbye" with a wave and a smile. They practice using "Please," "Thank you," "You're welcome," and "Excuse me". They learn appropriate times to say, "I'm sorry," as well as "I forgive you".

Just as in her other books, Elizabeth Verdick uses age-appropriate language and situations to illustrate the social courtesies contained within. She also follows up with a guide for parents and caregivers to use to reinforce these manners. I particularly like how she points out that children also learn by example, so adults need to demonstrate respect in their daily activities. She also points out that the skills in this book simply lay the foundation for future social interactions. The teaching must continue throughout the child's life.

I have used this book in my classroom of 3-6 year-olds to remind them of those basic courtesies that need to be extended to everyone. They need daily reminders and examples to really internalize them. This book would be great for parents to read on a daily basis with their young ones.

Purchase Manners Time (Toddler Tools)

I received a review copy of this book from the publishers, Free Spirit publishing.

Naptime Board Book

Naptime is one of the titles in Elizabeth Verdick's Toddler Tools board book series. In this one, Mommy tells the child it is time for bed. At first he wants to resist, but then she reminds him that napping is important to help him feel good throughout the day. He has a little routine that he follows to help him settle down for naptime, then....zzzzzzzzzz.........

The rhyming story is one that toddlers are going to enjoy and easily pick up as a part of their routine catch phrases throughout the day, for which Verdick is famous. The pictures portray an adorable young boy telling his story and will be appealing to young children. Even though they cannot read the story, the pictures clearly tell what is happening. The board book format is extremely sturdy, which will allow for repeated readings.

At the end of the book is a resource area for parents and caregivers. It explains the importance of getting enough sleep, and makes suggestions as to how to make naptime be a success. It is definitely a book that will become a favorite in a house with toddlers, and can even be used before naptime at school or daycare.

Purchase Naptime (Toddler Tools)

I received a review copy of this book from Free Spirit Publishers.