Googly eyes aside, an upbeat, science-based primer of human anatomy.
A friendly introduction to the annual medical checkup for little ones.
In one to two second-person paragraphs per double-page spread, the chatty narration describes the various tests doctors perform while indicating the body part each is meant to examine. Simple diagrams appear against white backgrounds to illustrate the concepts and feature faceless silhouettes of toddler bodies in a variety of skin tones accompanied by simple representations of internal organs. Medical instruments, such as a stethoscope and a sphygmomanometer (or blood-pressure cuff), float among the text and diagrams, sometimes commenting on the narration in the fashion of a Greek chorus. Several of these instruments and a good number of the internal organs, like the heart and lungs, have googly eyes, expressive eyebrows, and cutesy mouths. Presumably this is intended to give this fictional visit to the doctor a lighthearted air, but the device could be confusing to literal-minded youngsters. The spread on vaccines (a representative virus particle within the serum also has googly eyes, plus a superhero cape) reassuringly states that: “Most vaccines are shots, so it might hurt a little, but only for a second. Take a deep breath and know you are brave for keeping your body safe!” While this offering doesn’t show the actual doctors, waiting rooms, or examination tables that most going-to-the-doctor books include, it does provide answers to many of the “why” questions older toddlers and preschoolers express.
Googly eyes aside, an upbeat, science-based primer of human anatomy. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Nov. 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-9399-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Sourcebooks eXplore
Review Posted Online: Dec. 21, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Designed to prompt discussion, these poorly designed titles will only perplex.
This busy board book mixes large numerals, photographs and counting questions to dubious effect.
Each spread is laid out in a similar manner: A large, bold numeral along with its name occupies most of the left-hand page. Beneath the numeral is a question asking what number comes next. The right-hand page features a photograph—a puppy in the case of 1—with the words “one” printed above it and “one puppy” printed below. Beneath that is a counting question that has an answer unrelated to the number featured—in this case, “How many eyes does the puppy have?” Adding to the frenetic feel of the pages are splashy backdrops to the images and some of the text. Another volume in the series, similarly cluttered but not quite as confusing, focuses on Machines such as tractors, snowplows and cranes. A photograph of the machine, its name and question—asking kids to identify color, for example, or locate a certain part—fill up the left-hand page, while the right-hand page includes labeled photographs of parts of the machine or related paraphernalia with another question printed beneath them.
Designed to prompt discussion, these poorly designed titles will only perplex. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-907184-15-4
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Scribblers/Sterling
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
While an imperfect ride, it may still entice toddlers to take a round trip.
This bus-shaped board book lets little ones count up to 10 and count down again as various passengers get on and off.
One bus driver starts his route, and a multicultural cast, including two girls, three firemen, four boys and five basketball players, boards his double-decker bus in turn. The number of passengers increases cumulatively, up to eight dogs (each of which is plagued by nine fleas) and 10 teachers, filling the bus to capacity at the book’s midsection. Now the passengers exit the bus in reverse order, creating a countdown. The virtually unnecessary text is written in stiff rhymes that don’t scan, but Doodler’s highly saturated, graphic cartoons are appealing. Even though he only depicts “firemen” and male basketball players, his doctors, nurses and teachers are gender-diverse. The boarding and disembarking of passengers makes for a satisfying and clear counting experience for youngsters.
While an imperfect ride, it may still entice toddlers to take a round trip. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-307-97907-0
Page Count: 22
Publisher: Robin Corey/Random
Review Posted Online: Jan. 27, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2013
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