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BUS BUDDIES

A LIFT-THE-PAGE TRUCK BOOK

From the Finn's Fun Trucks series

Will delight little lovers of things with wheels.

An overview of five different buses and what they do.

This lift-the-page board book describes a monster-truck bus, a double-decker bus, a mass transit bus, a tram, and a road trolley. Each driver introduces their bus; an image offers labeled details of various parts. Lifting the page flap reveals the vehicle’s purpose. For example, the mass transit bus is shown dropping people off at the Bean in Chicago with the explanation that it “picks up and drops off passengers on a planned route throughout the city.” The text and illustrations are accessible for young readers and include just enough information to satisfy curious kids without overwhelming them. One small quibble: The buses are described as “tak[ing] people where they need to go!” but monster-truck buses don’t actually transport people (they “compete and entertain fans”)—a slightly confusing inclusion. The illustrations are well done, showcasing drivers of different skin tones. Some of the busy cityscapes feature iconic places like Chicago and London, a possible jumping-off point for introducing readers to different locations.

Will delight little lovers of things with wheels. (Board book. 2-4)

Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-4867-2275-4

Page Count: 14

Publisher: Flowerpot Press

Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022

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CLIMATE CHANGE FOR BABIES

From the Baby University series

Adults looking for an easy entry into this subject will not be disappointed.

This book presents a simplified explanation of the role the atmosphere plays in controlling climate.

The authors present a planet as a ball and its atmosphere as a blanket that envelops the ball. If the blanket is thick, the planet will be hot, as is the case for Venus. If the blanket is thin, the planet is cold, as with Mars. Planet Earth has a blanket that traps “just the right amount of heat.” The authors explain trees, animals, and oceans are part of what makes Earth’s atmosphere “just right.” “But…Uh-oh! People on Earth are changing the blanket!” The book goes on to explain how some human activities are sending “greenhouse gases” into the atmosphere, thus “making the blanket heavier and thicker” and “making Earth feel unwell.” In the case of a planet feeling unwell, what would the symptoms be? Sea-level rises that lead to erosion, flooding, and island loss, along with extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, blizzards, and wildfires. Ending on a constructive note, the authors name a few of the remedies to “help our Earth before it’s too late!” By using the blanket analogy, alongside simple and clear illustrations, this otherwise complex topic becomes very accessible to young children, though caregivers will need to help with the specialized vocabulary.

Adults looking for an easy entry into this subject will not be disappointed. (Board book. 3-4)

Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-4926-8082-6

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Sourcebooks eXplore

Review Posted Online: Aug. 31, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2020

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BABY BOTANIST

From the Baby Scientist series

A nice addition to this baby-attuned series.

In this newest addition to the Baby Scientist series toddlers are introduced to the basics of what a botanist does.

The book starts with a simple and straightforward explanation of its subject matter: “Who studies plants? / Baby Botanist does!” Wearing a white lab coat with yellow polka dots, a brown-skinned child with a purple hair bow holding up its one little curl proceeds to present a number of simply stated and easily understood plant facts. As with the previous books, the illustrations are colorful, uncluttered, and humorously engaging, and baby has a sidekick; this time it is a blue-and-yellow snail. After planting a seed, Baby wonders what plant will grow. The text explains that some plants have roots and some do not, and they might grow on water or underground. In a simple acknowledgment of a healthy diet, the book states “Baby’s favorite foods all come from plants.” Children are also presented with food they may not recognize as coming from plants, such as noodles and chocolate. In the end, the seed that Baby has planted, watered, and kept in the sunlight “grows into a flower for Mama!” and with that comes a big thank-you hug from Mama.

A nice addition to this baby-attuned series. (Board book. 2-4)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2019

ISBN: 978-0-06-284132-2

Page Count: 22

Publisher: HarperFestival

Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2019

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