This gimmick is unlikely to outlast the paper it’s wrapped in.
A built-in frame allows parents to make this board book a personalized Christmas story.
The final “page” is almost half an inch thick to make space for either a photograph or a cellphone to rest within it; each page preceding has a die-cut hole that displays the selected image. It sounds good in theory, but there are several problems with this gimmick. Many cellphones are larger or thicker than the space allowed; the flap on the back of the book that provides access is fragile and is not likely to last more than one holiday season; and most seriously, when an appropriately sized cellphone is inserted, the book is too heavy for a toddler to handle safely. Allowing a young child to handle a book independently without fear of damage to the book or child is one of the primary purposes of board books. All this might be forgiven if the story and pictures were stunning, but alas, they are not. Rhyming text catalogs standard Christmas icons—a snowman, Santa, elf, and reindeer—with the inserted photo in the center of each image. The pictures, designed to look like a child's drawings, are pleasant enough, but ultimately they are as memorable as last year's holiday cards.
This gimmick is unlikely to outlast the paper it’s wrapped in. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-62370-292-2
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
Review Posted Online: Aug. 4, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Leave the hopping to Peter Cottontail and sing the original song instead.
An Easter-themed board-book parody of the traditional nursery rhyme.
Unfortunately, this effort is just as sugary and uninspired as The Itsy Bitsy Snowman, offered by the same pair in 2015. A cheerful white bunny hops through a pastel world to distribute candy and treats for Easter but spills his baskets. A hedgehog, fox, mouse, and various birds come to the bunny’s rescue, retrieving the candy, helping to devise a distribution plan, and hiding the eggs. Then magically, they all fly off in a hot air balloon as the little animals in the village emerge to find the treats. Without any apparent purpose, the type changes color to highlight some words. For very young children every word is new, so highlighting “tiny tail” or “friends” makes no sense. Although the text is meant to be sung, the words don't quite fit the rhythm of the original song. Moreover, there are not clear motions to accompany the text; without the fingerplay movements, this book has none of the satisfying verve of the traditional version.
Leave the hopping to Peter Cottontail and sing the original song instead. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-5621-0
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A swell read for the lighthearted. (Board book. 1-3)
The bunnies that inhabit Boynton’s colorful world put on a musical show for the other animals.
The rabbits have taken over the theater. They dance and sing, bragging about their long ears and twitchy noses for the pigs and chickens in the audience. The rhythmic chorus—“We are ten terrific rabbits and we like to dance and sing. / Ten terrific rabbits. We can do almost anything”—is mighty infectious. The author’s trademark wit and humor are on full display as the other animals dress up like bunnies and join the massive grand finale. The barnyard cast forms a musical troupe that amuses and delights. Adults will appreciate the clever sight gags, and small children will appreciate the tasteful boasting and empowering jingle. While it’s not as complete a vehicle for inculcating emergent language skills as many of Boynton’s other books, there’s no denying it’s got verve.
A swell read for the lighthearted. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-7611-8060-9
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Workman
Review Posted Online: June 30, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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