Picture books that deliver the goods:

Okay-- so I'm sick of the same old raves about the same tired books. I hate to hate but I must say that "Good Night Moon" makes my brain bleed and "Love You Forever", though sweet and precious rips my still beating heart out of my chest (literally: tears every time I read it). We all know that Dr. Seuss is an undying classic choice that always reads well and is fun and light but what about other books? There are a million-bazillion out there and let's be honest... many are severely lacking. Particularly peevish to me are the ones that try for a super complicated story-line or moral. Let's keep it simple. Readability matching interest level: pretty important stuff. So, here are my favs.... tested also by little Miss C (an expert, by the way). Please comment back with any that you consider to be all-encompassing... vivid pictures, strong rhythm, memorable characters, fun and whimsical with an undercurrent of meaning: whatever the category, please enlighten me!
(No particular order)
1. "And Here's to You" written by David Elliot and illustrated by Randy Cecil
2. "Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep: A Yarn About Wool" by Teri Sloat
3. "Barnyard Dance" by Sandra Boynton
4. "Old Black Fly" by Jim Aylesworth and Stephen Gammell
5. "Alphabet Soup: A Feast of Letters" by Scott Gustafson

Not to take myself too seriously...

Okay so the whole BPA thing gives me the absolute creep-out. I'm working towards purging our house but MAN it's hard, you know? Not only are the big offenders in baby products some of the spendiest, they are also the ones that I thought were the healthiest and/or most "natural"... and some are even ORGANIC. Some companies are trying to make up for it. Both Dr. Brown and Playtex seem very motivated to make amends (see top two links below).
Here are the measures I've taken: I threw my old Avent and Playtex Vent Aire bottles and discs in the trash (I'm all for sending things to charities to be recirculated but NOT something that will make something detrimental accessible to people that may not be educated about the situation) but saved the nipples and rings to use with my Medela breast pump bottles (BPA free)... they fit perfectly. I also ordered $80 worth of SIGG water bottles from Amazon... unbelievably cute but clearly not affordable and not the solution for babies still using bottles. I also stopped buying baby food in plastic containers; as you may or may not know, the plastics that are cause for concern are 3, 6, and 7 (imprinted on bottom with the recycling triangle around the number)-- plastic baby food containers are often a 7 (including Gerber Organics). Also be aware of the fact that some formula cans are lined with BPA containing material (see third link below-- you can get a free guide at this site).
Okay-- I will step down from my giant soapbox... just hoping to spread a little knowledge.
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=829833
http://www.playtexbaby.com/bpafree/info.html
http://www.ewg.org/node/25570
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sigg&x=0&y=0
http://www.squidoo.com/saferpacifiers