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SHAPES

Name: SHAPES
Author: Bonnier Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0294-8

by Bonnier Publishing ; illustrated by Virginie Graire ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Adds little to the concept-book shelf.

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This introduction to shapes includes a geometric die-cut hole on every page.

The interplay between cutouts results in transformations with every turn of the page. A circle is a hot air balloon on the recto, and on the verso it is transformed into a carriage (complete with white fairy godmother). The brightly colored digital art is accompanied by a one-word caption naming the shape on each page as youngsters meet squares, rectangles, ovals, and diamonds. Many of the images are harmless enough, but the depiction of a tepee with two youngsters dressed in stereotypical Plains Indians’ garb and sitting “Indian style” is quite troubling. Companion title 1 2 3 also utilizes die-cut holes. Pages count up from one to 10, showing four candles, five balloons, six moles, and so on. One small, circular die-cut hole appears on every page in addition to other, often larger ones, but it is not clear why. Often this round hole is incorporated into the art, but on several spreads it is not; why, for instance, does it float above two pencils and four candles, respectively?

Adds little to the concept-book shelf. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: July 5, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-4998-0294-8

Page Count: 12

Publisher: Little Bee Books

Review Posted Online: Aug. 1, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

- BOOK REVIEW
SNOWMAN
by Bonnier Publishing ; illustrated by Virginia Graire

- BOOK REVIEW
POLAR BEAR ROMP!
by Bonnier Publishing ; illustrated by Beatrice Costamagna

- BOOK REVIEW
WOLF CRUNCH!
by Bonnier Publishing illustrated by Beatrice Costamagna

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GIVE AND TAKE

by Lucie Félix ; illustrated by Lucie Félix ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 2016

Simple exercises to enhance fine-motor development and build shape recognition.

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Placing big, die-cut geometric shapes into appropriately shaped niches reinforces several simple concepts in this minimalist import.

Sandwiched between printed instructions in the front and a pointed suggestion on the rear cover that this is not meant to be given to unsupervised children are seven brightly colored circles, squares, and other shapes cut into heavy board. Each of these is supposed to be pulled out of its slot and then inserted in a niche on the verso. Each comes with a one- or two-word caption: “TAKE” the red ball, for instance, and “GIVE” it to a hand on the other side of the page. The art is done with utmost simplicity, but there are some visual surprises (“OPEN” the diamond-shaped top of a box, and a small mouse peeps out) along the way to two red hemispheres that are “PUT BACK TOGETHER!” into the same red ball that started the book—now an apple. Users are then invited to play their way back to the beginning so that the removable parts are in their original positions and ready for another run-through. The conceptual pairs don’t work in reverse, but it’s a clever ploy.

Simple exercises to enhance fine-motor development and build shape recognition. (Novelty board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016

ISBN: 978-0-7636-9011-3

Page Count: 16

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: Aug. 1, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

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THE POUT-POUT FISH UNDERSEA ALPHABET

From the Touch-and-Feel series

by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 16, 2016

Let this one swim on by. There are plenty more (and better!) ocean-themed alphabet books in the sea.

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From angelfish to zebrafish, the creators of the Pout-Pout Fish bring readers a touch-and-feel alphabet exploration.

One or two letters are presented on each spread, accompanied by illustrator Hanna’s sea critters, which aim for cute rather than realistic. About one-third of the depicted creatures have a tactile feature embedded in the page, such as a glittery roughness on the hammerhead shark, a glow-in-the-dark element on the lantern fish, and even a sticky film on the octopus’ suction cups. There is no attempt to depict scale, which may confuse youngsters since a krill shrimp is as large as many much-larger creatures presented. Young fans of the Pout-Pout Fish may be disappointed, as there is only one appearance of the titular hero (“P is for Pout-Pout Fish,” of course).

Let this one swim on by. There are plenty more (and better!) ocean-themed alphabet books in the sea. (Board book. 1-3)