MY ANIMALS

Some well-known animals are introduced to the littlest readers.

Eighteen different animals grace the pages of this French import. The whimsical but easily recognizable illustrations are all black on white or white on black, with a little touch of color that gives the whole a pop, just the thing to catch a baby’s attention. There are everyday animals, such as a cat, a bird, a frog, a fish, and a dog; farm animals, such as a sheep, a pig, a rabbit, and a cow; several well-known wild ones, such as a crocodile, a hippo, an elephant, a zebra, a giraffe, a panda, a tiger, a penguin, and a bear—a comprehensive assortment for such a small book. The sturdy pages are on glossy boards that invite touching, and each has a little circular die-cut hole that gives just a hint of peekaboo on the next page. Babies will love to put their little fingers through, and if they are old enough to know how to turn a page, the die-cut is good for that. An added tactile bonus is the slightly puffy cover that has a velvety, rubbery feel. Pair this with Tana Hoban's classic Who Are They?

In one word: perfect.