Best Classics Books for 3 Year Olds

Here are the top 30 classics books for 3 year olds. Please click Read Review to read book reviews on Amazon. You can also click Find in Library to check book availability at your local library. If the default library is not correct, please follow Change Library to reset it.

1. Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

by: Dr. Seuss
Release date: Jan 22, 1990
Number of Pages: 56
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Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is the perfect send-off for grads—from nursery school, high school, college, and beyond! From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations, while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within. In a starred review, Booklist notes, “Seuss’s message is simple but never sappy: life may be a ‘Great Balancing Act,’ but through it all ‘There’s fun to be done.’” A perennial favorite and a perfect gift for anyone starting a new phase in their life!

tags:

Children’s Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Dr. Seuss

2. Miss Twiggley’s Tree

by: Dorothea Warren Fox
Release date: Mar 19, 2015
Number of Pages: 22
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Why did Miss Twiggley live in a tree? Why did she send her dog, Puss, out to do the shopping? Why did she always run away and hide when people came to visit? And it was rumored that Miss Twiggley had even more peculiar habits…

Old Miss Twiggley
Was friendly with bears.
“They shed on the sofa,” she said,
“But who cares?”

And was it true, as the mayor’s wife had heard, that she actually slept in her hat? “Simply disgraceful!” they said. But when a hurricane hits the town and the water rises, everyone is grateful to Miss Twiggley and her tree. Even better, Miss Twiggley herself learns a very important lesson, with a warm and happy ending.

tags:

Children’s Books > Classics

3. The Flying Hockey Stick

by: Jolly Roger Bradfield
Release date: Feb 01, 2007
Number of Pages: 64
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Barnaby Jones, the hero of this tale, had an exceptional imagination, and he had no doubt that, with the proper design, he could build a craft that would lift him into the sky. Not for a moment did he doubt that a series of electric cords would provide the proper thrust for his vehicle or that a common fan could pull it high into the air, over tall buildings and across vast oceans. Surely such faith and determination will assure that his name will be forever linked with those other pioneers of flight history, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Charles Lindberg and Neil Armstrong.
tags:

Children’s Books > Literature & Fiction

4. The Story of the Sugar Fairies

by: Robin MizwaIra Baykovska
Release date: Mar 25, 2016
Number of Pages: 38
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A magical story that encourages and rewards children for making their own healthy choices! A sweet, new tradition for families everywhere!
tags:

Children’s Books > Classics

5. Adivina cuanto te quiero (pop up) (Spanish Edition)

by: Sam McBratneyAnita Jeram
Release date: Jul 01, 2011
Number of Pages: 16
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Sometimes, when we love someone so much, we can’t seem to find a way to capture our feelings and put them into words. As history shows us, this wonderful love isn’t always easy to measure.
tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Rabbits

6. South

by: Patrick McDonnell
Release date: Sep 01, 2008
Number of Pages: 48
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When a little bird awakens to find that all of his friends and family have gone south for the winter, it takes a surprising friendship with Mooch the cat to help him find his way. This is a wordless and profoundly moving story–by the creator of the beloved comic strip Mutts–that explores being lost and found, crossing boundaries, saying goodbye, and broadening horizons.
tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Birds

7. The Adventures of Peter Vole: The World Famous Tailor

by: Erica Gonczi
Release date: Jun 18, 2015
Number of Pages: 26
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Sewing needles move fast as lightning in Peter Vole’s tiny fingers as he makes pieces of clothing, each one more beautiful than the other. How does the arrogant Mr Dormouse turn against Peter and try to take away all the business from Peter’s little shop? We see how good triumphs over bad – with the help of a sharp, quick-witted friend…
Movie: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY2mLCfSQj4
Website: www.gonczibooks.com
tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs & Squirrels

8. Little Golden Book Favorites #1

by: Golden Books
Release date: Aug 14, 2007
Number of Pages: 80
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THREE ALL-TIME FAVORITE Little Golden Books (The Poky Little Puppy, The Saggy Baggy Elephant, and Scuffy the Tugboat) are gathered together in this sweet mini-treasury. At a retail price of $5.99, this durable, attractive volume is a great value and perfect for gift-giving.
tags:

Children’s Books > Literature & Fiction > Short Story Collections

9. I Don’t Want to Be Big

by: Dev PettyMike Boldt
Release date: Oct 11, 2016
Number of Pages: 32
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Fans of the hit picture book I Don’t Want to Be a Frog will love this silly, stubborn-as-ever companion book.
 
Frog does NOT want to grow up. Doesn’t need to be tall. Doesn’t want to be able to jump high enough to see the tree frogs. He’s just FINE being small. Besides, if you grow up, you don’t get to do fun things like jump in mud puddles with your best friend, Pig. Do you?
 
This hilarious story­—which uses humor to teach that it’s great being exactly who you are—is sure to bring a smile to every kid who just wants to stay a kid, in addition to those who are the smallest in their class. It’s a sly and smartly funny tale that will have children and parents laughing together.

“an enjoyable read-aloud”—Kirkus

From the Hardcover edition.

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Frogs & Toads

10. Libri per bambini in Italiano: La Fata delle Ninfee: The Water Lily Fairy – Italian Edition – Vol. 1

by: Mary Ann Vitale
Release date: Jul 28, 2013
Number of Pages: 28
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La Fata delle Ninfee visita il paese di Corleone, in Sicilia. Si nasconde in una fontana come un bocciolo di ninfea. Rende felici le persone del paese, sorprendendole ogni giorno con diversi regali.

Dalla vendita di questo libro un’offerta sarà devoluta al: Centro Nazionale per i Bambini Scomparsi e Sfruttati

tags:

Children’s Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life > Sleep

11. Frog and Fly

by: Jeff Mack
Release date: Mar 15, 2012
Number of Pages: 40
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Six slurpy stories, two comical combatants, and one laugh-out-loud picture book

Frog and Fly are constant companions. There is only one problem . . . Frog thinks Fly is delicious! This leads to a never-ending battle of wits with laugh-out- loud consequences. Told in six short comic stripstyle chapters, Frog and Fly will delight kids and leave them begging for yet another slurpy story.

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Bugs & Spiders

12. Moomin’s Little Book of Numbers

by: Tove Jansson
Release date: Apr 12, 2011
Number of Pages: 16
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Little ones can rely on the Moomins to make numbers fun. Moomintroll, Moominmamma, and the Snork Maiden help create a game out of learning to go from one to ten, and beyond, with everyday objects such as seashells and stars.

tags:

Children’s Books > Classics

13. Days with Bear: Bear Feels Scared; Bear Feels Sick; Bear’s Loose Tooth (The Bear Books)

by: Karma WilsonJane Chapman
Release date: Oct 20, 2015
Number of Pages: 102
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Cozy up with Bear and these three beloved board books from bestselling duo Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman—now available in a boxed set!

Bear may be the biggest animal in the forest, but sometimes he needs a little help from his friends. When Bear has the sniffles, his sweet friends come to his cave and make him feel better. One evening, Bear is lost and scared in the forest. But with the help of Hare, Mole, Owl, and a few others, he finds his way home! Then, when Bear has a loose tooth, his friends try to wiggle it out!

This boxed collection of three Classic Board Books starring the lovable, adorable Bear makes a perfect gift!

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Bears

14. Must Be Santa (Big Little Golden Book)

by: Tim MoorePete Whitehead
Release date: Sep 13, 2011
Number of Pages: 32
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Who’s got a beard that’s long and white?
Santa’s got a beard that’s long and white!
Who comes around on a special night?
Santa comes around on a special night!
Special night, beard that’s white!
Must be Santa! Must be Santa!
Must be Santa! Santa Claus!

The classic Christmas song Must Be Santa has been covered by music giants Bob Dylan and Raffi. Now, for the very first time, the fun and festive lyrics have been paired with adorable illustrations in this Big Little Golden Book hardcover edition. It makes the perfect gift!

tags:

Children’s Books > Classics

15. The Real Mother Goose Coloring Book (Dover Classic Stories Coloring Book)

by: Stephen Vance GacheColoring BooksBlanche Fisher Wright
Release date: Jul 22, 2009
Number of Pages: 32
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Mother knows best, and when it comes to nursery rhymes, nobody knows better than Mother Goose! This is the only coloring book based on the classic illustrations of The Real Mother Goose by Blanche Fisher Wright. The 30 easy-to-color images include such favorite characters as Georgy Porgy, Three Blind Mice, Lucy Locket, Humpty Dumpty, and the Queen of Hearts. Each of the pictures is accompanied by its traditional rhyme.  
tags:

Children’s Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Nursery Rhymes

16. Nilda

by: Nicholasa Mohr
Release date: Jan 01, 1986
Number of Pages: 292
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A young girl growing up in Spanish Harlem in the 1940’s watches the secure world of her childhood years slowly erode away.
tags:

Children’s Books

17. Clifford: La colección: (Spanish language edition of Clifford Collection) (Spanish Edition)

by: Norman Bridwell
Release date: Sep 01, 2012
Number of Pages: 192
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Celebrate Clifford’s 50th anniversary with this collection of classic stories! This book also includes a letter from Norman Bridwell as well as information about Clifford’s creation.

Celebrate Clifford’s 50th anniversary with this collection of six classic stories that were originally published beginning in 1963!
This book includes: Clifford the Big Red Dog, Clifford at the Circus, Clifford Gets a Job, Clifford Takes a Trip, Clifford’s Good Deeds, and Clifford’s Tricks.
Also included in the book is an original letter from Norman Bridwell to the reader, information about the creation of Clifford–including an image of Norman’s 1962 painting that inspired the Clifford series, the story behind the real Emily Elizabeth, and more!

¡Celebra el 50 aniversario de Clifford con esta colección de seis cuentos clásicos publicados a partir de 1963!
El libro contiene: Clifford el gran perro colorado, Clifford en el circo, Clifford trabaja, Clifford va de viaje, Clifford ayuda a los demás y Clifford hace trucos.
En la colección irá también una carta original de Norman Bridwell para los lectores, información acerca de la verdadera Emily Elizabeth y mucho más.

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Dogs

18. Do You Know Pippi Longstocking?

by: Astrid LindgrenIngrid NymanElisabeth Kallick Dyssegaard
Release date: May 03, 2005
Number of Pages: 32
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Say hello to everyone’s favorite redhead!

Everyone knows Pippi Longstocking. For generations, even
the youngest children have immediately identified with her
independent spirit. Pippi is incredibly strong and lives alone
in Villa Villekulla with her horse and a monkey called Mr.
Nilsson. To the amazement of her neighbors, Tommy and
Annika, she sleeps with her feet on the pillow and her head
under the covers, bakes cookies on the floor, performs her own
act at the circus, takes on two burglars single-handedly, and
has a most unusual birthday party.

tags:

Children’s Books > Literature & Fiction

19. Eric Carle Classics: The Tiny Seed; Pancakes, Pancakes!; Walter the Baker (The World of Eric Carle)

by: Eric CarleEric Carle
Release date: Oct 04, 2011
Number of Pages: 112
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This bind-up collects three beloved Eric Carle picture books.

In Pancakes, Pancakes, Jack is hungry for a a big, delicious pancake breakfast. But first, his mother needs flour from the mill, an egg from the black he, milk from the spotted cow, and butter churned from fresh cream. Will it ever be time for breakfast and that large pancake?

In Walter the Baker, Walter is famous for his breads, rolls, cookies, tarts, and pies, and the and Duchess especially love his warm sweet rolls. But one day the cat spills the milk, and Walter is forced to serve the Duke and Duchess rolls made with water. After one bite the Duke throws down his roll in disgust and summons Walter to the castle. He threatens to banish the baker unless he can take the same dough and make a good-tasting roll that the rising sun can shine through three times. Will Walter succeed in his task, or will he have to leave his town forever?

The Tiny Seed is Eric Carle’s classic story of the life cycle of a flower, told through the adventures of a tiny seed. Young readers will cheer the seed’s progress as it floats across the sky, nestles in the ground, and finally grows into a giant flower.

tags:

Children’s Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life

20. Pirate Night Before Christmas

by: Mayor Gonzo MaysSammie MaysRon ThomasBrian Gordon Sinclair
Release date: Oct 12, 2014
Number of Pages: 24
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“This book is precious!” –Paula Deen, Celebrity Chef, Author: Christmas With Paula Deen …

Shiver me timbers and a Yo ho, ho, ho! There’s a little something you might not know about Ol’ Saint Nick, so best ye move over Red Beard, Black Beard, and Blue Beard ’cause there’s a pirate known as Ol’ White Beard and when it comes to getting pirates their holiday loot n’ booty, aboard the sloop the “Yuletide” he sails the seven seas with a fantastic unleashed team of endangered beluga white whales, that, upon ocean waves, are a miraculous sight to behold!

Incensed by the fragile state and precipitous decline of a struggling pod of three-hundred critically endangered Alaskan Cook Inlet Beluga whales, Sammie Mays wrote under the nom de plume Mayor Gonzo Mays the popular holiday family storybook ‘PIRATE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS’ in an effort to draw attention to the plight of the waning white whales.

An 8 x 10 fully illustrated, 46-page collectible work of art, ‘PIRATE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS’ (brilliantly illustrated by Ron Thomas) offers a meaningful, yet playful, pirate experience for the entire family and adds a buccaneering twist to the old holiday classic that nary a reader won’t enjoy reading—and reciting!

So go ahead, stow away, mates, there’s merry to make!

tags:

Arts & Photography > Performing Arts

21. Ant and Bee and the Rainbow

by: Angela Banner
Release date: Jan 23, 2014
Number of Pages: 96
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‘These were the books that taught me how to read’ Anthony Horowitz.

The much-loved classic series of Ant and Bee books is designed for shared reading fun!

First published in 1950, Ant and Bee were in print for over 40 years. These new editions feature revised text and illustrations by original Ant and Bee creator Angela Banner. The adorably small format is perfect for little hands. 

Join the lively duo as they create their very own rainbow in this basic introduction to the concept of colour. Ant and Bee discover all the colours in the rainbow and more.

Ant and Bee teach children to read via word recognition and encourage story sharing with siblings and parents. Grown-ups read the black words, but the shorter, simpler red words are for young children to call out. These books are for sharing, building confidence and most of all enjoying! Perfect for young children aged 3 and up. Parents and grandparents who grew up with Ant and Bee will love sharing this nostalgic experience from the same era as Ladybird Read it Yourself.

Have you collected all of Ant and Bee’s learning adventures?

Ant and Bee

More Ant and Bee

More and More Ant and Bee

Ant and Bee Count 123

Ant and Bee and the Secret

Around the World with Ant and Bee

Happy Birthday with Ant and Bee

Ant and Bee and the Rainbow

Ant and Bee and the ABC

Ant and Bee Time

Ant and Bee and the Kind Dog

Ant and Bee and the Doctor

Ant and Bee Go Shopping

Left and Right with Ant and Bee

Make a Million with Ant and Bee

Angela Banner was born in 1923. She first wrote Ant and Bee as a way to teach her son how to read. The first book in the series was published in 1950. Since then, Angela has written 22 Ant and Bee books.

 

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Bugs & Spiders

22. Little Women: A BabyLit® Playtime Primer

by: Jennifer AdamsAlison Oliver
Release date: Sep 06, 2016
Number of Pages: 22
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Be drawn back to a time before apps and television, when playtime was full of possibilities. In Little Women: A Babylit® Playtime Primer, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy show your little one all kinds of ways to have fun, including singing, gardening, sewing, skating, and of course, reading!

BabyLit® is a fashionable way to introduce your toddler to the world of classic literature, and little ones will love Little Women: A BabyLit® Playtime Primer. With clever, simple text by Jennifer Adams, paired with stylish design and illustrations by Sugar’s Alison Oliver, these books are a must for every savvy parent’s nursery library. Collect all twenty-four classic literature-inspired BabyLit primers!

JENNIFER ADAMS is the author of more than 30 books, including board books in the best-selling BabyLit series which introduce young children to the world of classic literature. Jennifer works as a writer and editor in Salt Lake City, Utah. Visit her website at jennifer-adams.com.

Allison Oliver runs Sugar design studio. Alison’s design portfolio includes everything from logos to packaging and product design for clients such as Chronicle Books, Citibabes, and Aerie, as well as Gibbs Smith. She lives in New York.

tags:

Children’s Books > Classics

23. The House That Jill Built

by: Phyllis RootDelphine Durand
Release date: Jul 26, 2005
Number of Pages: 20
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Flip the flaps, open a fun foldout, and peek inside a final pop-up to find out what happens when everyone’s favorite storybook characters move into THE HOUSE THAT JILL BUILT.

Jill’s house is so cozy and warm that all her nursery-rhyme friends are knocking on the door, asking for a room of their own. As Jill cheerfully obliges, her house grows and grows, but somehow there’s less and less room for poor Jill and her cat! Her new tenants are running amok — there’s Little Jack Horner playing checkers with one Little Kitten, while Old Mother Hubbard’s dog shoots the breeze with Bo Peep’s tea-drinking sheep. With a singsong text by Phyllis Root and quirky, comic illustrations by Delphine Durand, this interactive romp offers dozens of doors and windows to peek under, a spectacular foldout to open, and a final pop-up surprise.

tags:

Children’s Books > Classics

24. The Night Before Christmas

by: Roger DuvoisinClement C. Moore
Release date: Sep 23, 2014
Number of Pages: 40
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Rediscover a Christmas treasure—unavailable for decades—from beloved Caldecott Medal–winning illustrator Roger Duvoisin.
 
With glorious illustrations by Caldecott Medal–winning illustrator Roger Duvoisin, this edition of Clement C. Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas” is a perfect holiday read-aloud for families. And with a tall, narrow size, it’s also just right for tucking into a Christmas stocking, making it a wonderful holiday gift.
tags:

Children’s Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Nursery Rhymes

25. The Tale of the Little, Little Old Woman

by: Elsa Beskow
Release date: Sep 01, 2014
Number of Pages: 24
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“Once upon a time there was a little, little old woman who lived in a little, little old cottage with a mischievous little cat…”

This simple and charming tale of a little cat that gets into big trouble is perfect for sharing. Young children will love the fairy tale illustrations and fun repetition.

This is a new edition of the classic book by much-loved Swedish illustrator Elsa Beskow.

(Ages 3-6)

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Cats

26. The Bear’s Surprise

by: Benjamin Chaud
Release date: Sep 15, 2015
Number of Pages: 32
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Hibernation is over and Little Bear is ready for another adventure! But where is Papa Bear? Never fear, Little Bear will find him! Follow the curious cub through interactive cutouts on every page of this detail-rich extravaganza: into a bustling forest, deep beneath a mysterious cave, and en route to a rollicking circus in full swing. What will Little Bear discover when he finally locates his high-flying papa? The ultimate showstopping, sweet surprise awaits in this third installment of Benjamin Chaud’s acclaimed series that includes the New York Times Notable Book The Bear’s Song and The Bear’s Sea Escape.
tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Bears

27. Cinderella (Read-Aloud Board Book)

by: RH DisneyDennis Shealy
Release date: Dec 23, 2003
Number of Pages: 24
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It’s the classic story that all little girls love! Cinderella goes from rags to riches and true love with a little help from her Fairy Godmother in this small and sturdy book featuring beautiful full-color art and easy-to-read text.
tags:

Children’s Books > Literature & Fiction

28. Clifford Visits the Zoo

by: Norman BridwellNorman Bridwell
Release date: Aug 26, 2014
Number of Pages: 40
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Join Clifford on an extra-special trip to the zoo. Includes animal facts inside!

Join Clifford and Emily Elizabeth on a fantastic afternoon at the zoo! As the friends explore the zoo, they learn opposites along the way. The koalas are sleepy; Clifford is energetic. The seals are wet; Clifford is dry. Butterflies are light; Clifford is heavy. A hippo is dirty; Clifford is clean. Young readers will delight in seeing all different kinds of animals and learning opposites in the process. There is even some light nonfiction at the back of the book about each animal Clifford encounters at the zoo.

tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Dogs

29. Tigger’s Breakfast (Disney Classic Pooh)

by: Laura DollinStuart Trotter
Release date: Apr 01, 2010
Number of Pages: 12
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What do Tiggers like to eat for breakfast? Honey? Haycorns? Thistles? Take a trip through the Hundred Acre Wood to find out with Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, and Roo! This board book is based on A. A. Milne?s classic story about the first time Pooh and Tigger meet.
tags:

Children’s Books > Animals > Bears

30. Edward the Blue Engine (Railway Series)

by: Rev. W. AwdryC. Reginald Dalby
Release date: Mar 25, 2003
Number of Pages: 64
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Four classic stories about Edward, the kindest engine in the shed. Edward may be old, but he is very loyal. Whether it is with a silly cow on the line or a scary runaway train, Edward is always eager to help out.
tags:

Children’s Books > Cars, Trains & Things That Go > Trains

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Last updated: Monday, December 5, 2016 2:48 AM