Board books make up only a small portion of children’s sales – just 3%, according to the AAP StatShot for June 2012. But as any unruly toddler will tell you, size doesn’t always matter. According to the 21 publishers reporting, the month’s sales figures – $3.9 million, compared with $3.3 million over the same period in 2011 – represent the first time all year that the category has shown growth, to the tune of 17.8% (only children’s e-books showed greater month-over-month gains). Nielsen BookScan lists show sales bumps for titles like Moo, Baa, La La La! and I Love You Through and Through in the first half of 2012 compared with the first half of 2011. The powerhouse, though, was Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry, with sales quadrupling during that period. It’s enough to bolster one’s faith in the next generation of readers – not to mention drivers.