Riding high in a shopping cart, a toddler tears up the grocery store in this satisfying romp. Doyle’s short, rhyming sentences—one, two, and three words each—reflect the toddler’s developing language skills. In one full-bleed spread, mother and child shop for “Beets. / Meats. / Ham. / Peanut butter. / Jam.” Children can easily match words with pictures. Westcott’s watercolor-and-ink illustrations on “super sturdy” paper show the items on the shelf and in the cart. They also tell the back story—while mom selects a ham, the boy flings beets to the floor. In the next spread, he eats peanut butter and jelly from the jars. Behind him, customers slip and slide on errant produce. Throughout, the boy and his mother blaze a messy trail, upsetting other customers in their wake. It’s a familiar scenario, with a predicable conclusion. Little ones will love this. (Picture book. 1-3)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-7636-2218-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2004
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A lovely, simple lift-the-flap book that will stand the test of many a mighty tot.
Little ones learn about bugs.
The world of insects and like small creatures is the focus of this sturdy board book. Each turn of the page gives readers a close view of a particular habitat. The text asks, “Where’s the ladybug?” or “Where’s the snail?” and little ones are encouraged to find the creatures under shaped felt flaps. A caterpillar poses under a leaf with a few bites taken out of it; a bumblebee flies behind a pink tulip. The flaps are made of a reasonably strong material, secured tightly within the book’s pages. Extremely determined readers may figure out a way to pull the flaps out, but most will enjoy flipping them up and over with ease. The last page of the book contains a mirror hidden behind a bush-shaped flap, and readers are asked “And where are you?” The insects smile with big eyes and are composed of large, circular, clean-edged shapes. The color palette is dulled, making the neon flaps pop effectively for little readers. Concurrently publishing companion Where’s the Giraffe? explores the world of jungle animals.
A lovely, simple lift-the-flap book that will stand the test of many a mighty tot. (Board book. 1-2)Pub Date: March 28, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9335-0
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Review Posted Online: June 18, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
Little fingers will enjoy exploring these pages again and again
A day in Baby’s life, with flaps, textures, sparkly bling, and mirrors to explore.
The first double-page spread, in bright, sunny colors, invites a white baby with blond hair to wake up and asks the reader, “What will baby see?” Beyond the baby’s crib is a room full of toys and a window with a blazing sun and three butterflies in flight. The subsequent spreads show different babies (the second one has a dark brown complexion, the next two are white, and the final tot is possibly of Asian descent) eating, getting dressed, playing in the park, and then back in the crib for the night. Each page follows the same formula, with relatively sturdy flaps to lift or open and at least one tactile element per page, which are a mix of embossed elements or textiles embedded in the page. Katz’s signature bright and cheery patterns and chubby, cherubic babes are in top form here, and the 10 1/2–inch-square trim is an ideal canvas. Serviceable text provides simple descriptors, and captions label many of the objects in each baby’s world.
Little fingers will enjoy exploring these pages again and again . (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4814-8830-3
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
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