Developmentally dull; there's nothing to cheer about here.
This box proves a bust.
The long case holds four separate books; two focus on animals living on the farm and the savanna, and the others describe pets and babies. Cartoon panels provide factual tidbits. The text, though for the most part accurate, lacks the energy to inspire a young audience. “The male duck is called a drake.” An imposing photograph appears opposite the panels, containing a circle cutout with material meant to provide a tactile experience of the animal. (The gimmick often fails; the baby panda’s coat is virtually indistinguishable from the penguin chick’s fuzzy feathers). A caption supplies the appropriate sound (“The lion roars”). Unfortunately, the photographs consistently fail to convey any sense of sound; if an animal's mouth is open, it is to eat or play (the lion cub appears more interested in gnawing on a stick than making any noise at all). Poor quality of materials (foam for the pink pig) makes for a lackluster tactile experience. The touch-and-feel design leads to comically contradictory statements; the back of the container encourages this format for “young toddlers,” while a concluding note reads, “not suitable for children under 36 months.”
Developmentally dull; there's nothing to cheer about here. (Board book. 2-3)Pub Date: April 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-2-7338-1820-6
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Auzou Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 29, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
Despite the positivity, much of the sentiment and imagery will go over the heads of babies and toddlers.
Six little books in a boxed set promote an optimistic view of the world.
Each of these 3-inch-square works presents four cartoon scenes, each one on a double-page spread. The text comprises one-sentence captions expressing sentiments that have been said before and with more artistry. Friends shares these thoughts: “Let’s DANCE and be FRIENDS. / FRIENDS make you feel all WARM inside. / Friends are KIND to each other. / You are my truest FRIEND.” The other titles, which include Life, You and Me and Fun, follow a similar format. Each cartoon is speckled with hearts, flowers, stars and other upbeat symbols; various cutesy animals with human accessories dramatize the scenes in flat colors. Unfortunately, the imagery is too sophisticated for average board-book readers. The first page of Love shows a couple of bears obsessed with a variety of sophisticated high-tech gadgets, and Happiness includes an illustration of a gorilla contentedly knitting. One clever feature: The back covers of the six books fit together in two rows to create a picture of a contented hippo.
Despite the positivity, much of the sentiment and imagery will go over the heads of babies and toddlers. (Board book. 2-3)Pub Date: June 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4052-5963-7
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Egmont UK
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2013
A brightly lit "find it" game that focuses more on laughs than skill.
Harry the hippo plays hide-and-seek.
It's a bright and sunny day, and the local kids are playing on the playground. It's Harry's turn to hide, but it's pretty easy to spot a hippopotamus no matter how well he hides. Little ones will delight at the odd places Harry chooses to conceal himself, and parents will be equally entertained. Harry’s a typical child, clearly believing that closing his eyes makes him invisible, even when he hangs in plain view from the top bar of a swing set. Harrison's warm, round illustrations make for an excellent introduction to the "spot the item" genre, and pleasingly, there’s almost no way children will find themselves frustrated by the challenge. A similar title, Hide and Seek Harry on the Farm, publishes simultaneously.
A brightly lit "find it" game that focuses more on laughs than skill. (Board book. 2-3)Pub Date: March 24, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7347-5
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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