CHESS

Though the series title “Gamer Baby” conjures up unsettling visions of screen-addicted infants, this book introduces the basic concepts of chess in toddler-sized morsels.

The book opens with a chessboard set up for play. The pieces are represented by charming, cartoonish figures who will appeal to the board-book set. Absent this opening tableau, caregivers would likely be at a loss to identify some of the pieces. Pawns are represented by bunnies and teddy bears; rooks are stout and turret-topped; knights are unicorns; bishops are birds wearing pointy hats; queens are tall with long hair; and the kings are short with tall crowns. After explaining the goal, to capture the opposing king, the rest of the book diagrams the movements and properties of each piece. For example, pawns attack on the diagonal and can gain higher rank by reaching the other side, and knights are the only pieces able to jump over others. The verso of each spread depicts a chessboard with arrows indicating how each piece can move; on the recto, smiling pieces leap and zip accordingly into gentle conflict with one another. All humans are depicted as White.

Children won't learn the subtleties of strategy from this book, but it's a good presentation of the basics.