Suffice to say, if Tullet can conceive it, adults and children will both enjoy it.
Tullet continues to expand his Let’s Play Games! series.
Publishing simultaneously with three other books, the titular game is simple enough for young children to enjoy but complex enough to keep design-oriented adults engaged (and therefore reading with their children). Split pages combine in multiple wordless combinations to illustrate prepositions—on, under, above, below, etc. The images line up neatly, sometimes creating surprising juxtapositions, from an acrobat balanced on a mountaintop to an elephant carrying a truck to a finger pointing at a camel. Bright, primary colors and thick, black lines make for arresting, attention-getting compositions. The Game of Lines features split pages cut on an angle and shocking yellow and pink lines that create myriad patterns; it will capture the attention of even very young babies. The Good Morning Game comes with instructions to adults to draw faces on their fingers, sticking them through die-cut holes in each page as puppets—ideal for playing with children ready for text. The Trail Game also features split pages and is the least successful of the quartet; the trails do not always line up, making for a simple matching game.
Suffice to say, if Tullet can conceive it, adults and children will both enjoy it. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Feb. 16, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7148-6874-5
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Phaidon
Review Posted Online: March 10, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to.
This simplified version of Diesen and Hanna’s The Pout-Pout Fish (2008) is appropriate for babies and toddlers.
Brief, rhyming text tells the story of a sullen fish cheered up with a kiss. A little pink sea creature pokes his head out of a hole in the sea bottom to give the gloomy fish some advice: “Smile, Mr. Fish! / You look so down // With your glum-glum face / And your pout-pout frown.” He explains that there’s no reason to be worried, scared, sad or mad and concludes: “How about a smooch? / And a cheer-up wish? // Now you look happy: / What a smile, Mr. Fish!” Simple and sweet, this tale offers the lesson that sometimes, all that’s needed for a turnaround in mood is some cheer and encouragement to change our perspective. The clean, uncluttered illustrations are kept simple, except for the pout-pout fish’s features, which are delightfully expressive. Little ones will easily recognize and likely try to copy the sad, scared and angry looks that cross the fish’s face.
An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-374-37084-8
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An invitation for readers to learn through observation.
Llama Llama and Mama spot different shapes at the farmers market.
Dewdney’s iconic llama stars in this board book, a part of the Learning With Llama Llama series. The story showcases five shapes: rectangles, squares, triangles, circles, and stars. Rather than simply showing the shapes and naming them, illustrator Morrow embeds them inside scenes from the farmers market. Each page turn uncovers a different shape. Signage and a shopping bag pop as rectangles, while umbrellas, a slice of watermelon, and the peaks of the tents form triangles. Shapes that appeared on previous pages are visible even as the story progresses, and the final page helps readers revisit and recall shapes they’ve already found. There are plenty of engaging details to keep readers looking, including other animal shoppers, kite-flying, and sudden, surprising rain. The text is concise, and each spread features a simple question inviting participation. This title is more captivating than other shape concept books, especially those that show block-colored shapes without context. Llama Llama’s popularity will make this a hit with fans, and readers looking for substance will find it. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An invitation for readers to learn through observation. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-46509-7
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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