Quibbles aside, kids will enjoy reading and handling this book as long as its (not particularly sturdy) binding lasts.
One hundred and fifty words, most of them useful!
This substantial, 24-page board book aims to expand the vocabularies of young readers by way of text, drawings, and 30 touch-and-feel elements. Each page depicts objects organized by theme: “Meal Time,” “Bedtime,” and “Bath Time,” for example, or “Clothes,” “At the Market,” and “On the Road.” The book concludes with 10 pages of animals: “Short Hair,” “Furry,” “Smooth Skin,” “Rough Skin,” “Scales and Shells,” and “Birds.” Textured items on each page keep little fingers and minds engaged—a baby bottle, a plush blanket, a burlap sack, a corduroy jacket, horse “hair,” wolf “fur,” and fish “scales,” to name a few. The book depicts children of varied ethnicities—a white boy and girl on the front and back covers respectively, a brown-skinned boy and a girl who appears to be his younger sister, and a black-haired, brown-skinned boy buying strawberries. There are a few sour notes: one familiar toy is labeled a “shape sorter,” which many children will simply see as a puzzle. “Ride-on car,” too, sounds awkward, though descriptive. “Jam” is recognizable, but “hazelnut spread” seems a stretch for a child. Both resemble leading grocery-store brands. “Toast” is covered in a sticky spread that collects hair and dirt when laid on a rug.
Quibbles aside, kids will enjoy reading and handling this book as long as its (not particularly sturdy) binding lasts. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: April 4, 2017
ISBN: 978-2-7459-8178-3
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Twirl/Chronicle
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
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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