Toddlers will be ready to sing “Old MacDonald” after this board-book guessing game.
Wake up! It’s time to meet the farm animals.
A rooster with boldly colored plumage begins the morning wake-up call against a sunrise-peach sky. The dog wakes—“Woof, woof!”—and rouses the sheep: “Baa!” And so it goes, with cow, horse, pig, and goat each taking center stage by turn. Each animal gets full-spread treatment against clear blue skies and uncluttered backdrops. The signature noise and name of each animal are set in boldface within two sentences of descriptive text. Following this description, the narrator spies a tail, ear, hoof, or horn on the right edge of each spread that hints at which animal will appear next. On each spread, a tiny mouse that’s hidden in plain sight sleeps through the noise, finally waking on the penultimate spread, in which: “Shhh! The cat is still sleeping.” The final-spread reprise of all eight farm animal sounds finally wakens the cat. The smiling, large-scale animals make it clear what toddler readers should focus on, the simple, farm-scene backgrounds putting the animals in context without too many distractions. Guessing which animal is next and searching for the hidden mouse provide just the right amount of interaction for the target age group.
Toddlers will be ready to sing “Old MacDonald” after this board-book guessing game. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)Pub Date: Oct. 20, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-60537-568-7
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Clavis
Review Posted Online: Dec. 24, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2021
While both titles utilize vibrant photos and easy-to-open flaps, First Numbers is the more successful offering of the two.
A straightforward, clear counting book for little ones.
On each page, the direct text asks readers how many of each object are pictured, starting with one cupcake and continuing up to 10 buttons. The exterior of a flap that takes up much of the page shows photographs of one cupcake, two kittens, three butterflies and so on. The inside of the flap reveals the object again, sometimes in a different configuration or color, along with a clear representation of the numeral. The dotted lines that show youngsters how to trace the written number with their fingers are nice features and give this title a longer shelf life. The die-cut handle at the top of the book is unnecessary, but it doesn’t interfere with the images on the internal pages. First Colors, a companion title in this series, explores colors using a nearly identical format. Readers are invited to name the color of an object on the outside of a flap and then peruse additional objects in this hue on the inside. While the photos are quite vivid and striking, there are a few missteps here and there. The “orange” starfish looks a little too brown, the yellow cordless phone is starting to look dated, and children still learning about the size and scale of things may be confused by a beetle that is nearly the size of a car tire. Health conscious parents may wonder about the inclusion of so many sugary foods (cupcakes, candy, chocolate and doughnuts).
While both titles utilize vibrant photos and easy-to-open flaps, First Numbers is the more successful offering of the two. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)Pub Date: March 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-58925-630-9
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: March 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2013
Spritely entertainment and gentle encouragement for toddlers.
A pig, cow and sheep attempt to toilet train a brood of boisterous chicks.
In lighthearted dialogue rendered in verse, the three Chickies tell each of their caregivers that they know what the potty is for and can use it independently. This assertion proves to be false, as the chicks splash in the water, play with the toilet paper and jump on the towels. With loving patience, their barnyard companions gently correct this behavior. After three wrong turns, the trio finally “tinkle” in the potty appropriately and enjoy some delighted praise. In the companion volume, Bedtime for Chickies, the threesome have a difficult time getting to sleep. They ask the cow for water, the pig for a trip to the potty and the sheep for a bedtime story. Their keepers are not quite as patient here and in fact fall asleep on the job. The chicks finally nod off, each one cradled in the arms of one of their caretakers. Trasler employs a shaky line to create bold, droll cartoons on flecked and muted backgrounds. The chicks are pleasing in their simplicity: round yellow circles with dots for eyes and sideways V’s for beaks.
Spritely entertainment and gentle encouragement for toddlers. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 28, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-06-227469-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: HarperFestival
Review Posted Online: Jan. 21, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014
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