An engaging, visually appealing introduction to basic shapes, developmentally appropriate for infants and toddlers.
Die-cut squares and rectangles form a variety of images as pages are turned, introducing little ones to the versatility of these basic shapes.
Three small squares become the windows of, in turn, a bus and a train. One square can be a book or a tea kettle (called here a “pot”). A rectangle turns into a door or a toy block. Two rectangles become candles or pencils. One small square is an ice cube or a segment of a chocolate bar, while four little squares can form a window or a gift-wrapped present. The final page asks readers to guess what a horizontal rectangle might be. Flipping to the back cover reveals it to be the opening of a mail box. (Though it is a red box on a post rather than the iconic U.S. Postal Service blue box, its use should be clear, with a bit of explanation.) Simple illustrations with bold lines and vivid colors combine with the die-cut squares and rectangles to encourage children to guess what these shapes might become and to recognize how they are part of larger images. Structured in a similar manner, Circles invites readers to explore the many different pictures that circles can contribute to, including an apple, an egg, a car with wheels, and more.
An engaging, visually appealing introduction to basic shapes, developmentally appropriate for infants and toddlers. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: April 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-988-8240-68-5
Page Count: 26
Publisher: minedition
Review Posted Online: April 14, 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
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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
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