A simple and entertaining Spanish word-builder for English-speaking youngsters.
With rhyming text and flaps to lift, little ones are introduced to six Spanish words related to things that go.
Each double-page spread introduces a vehicle, six in all: tren (train); camión (truck); carro (car); barco (boat); avión (airplane); and metro (subway). The left-hand page gives the clues: “CLICKETY-CLACK, / CLICKETY- CLACK. / You hear it racing / down the track. / It takes you far, / then home again.” The recto has a flap with: “ALL ABOARD! / Come ride the,” and when little hands lift the flap they will find that (hopefully) yes! They were right: It’s a train. The trick here is that the word is presented in Spanish—“tren”—and is then defined underneath in smaller print: “Tren means train.” The other five words are presented in the same manner. The cartoon illustrations in the margins around the stanza on verso also give clues about the hidden vehicle, such as tracks and a whistle for the train, or a rear-view mirror, a steering wheel, and traffic lights for the car. The last spread presents the six vehicles with their names and a pronunciation guide. Non–Spanish-speaking adults should be aware that not all Spanish speakers refer to these vehicles by the same names, though all of the words here are correct.
A simple and entertaining Spanish word-builder for English-speaking youngsters. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5344-2668-9
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
Useful for toddling birders in need of board books about colors.
Gorgeous birds amid foliage of similar hues introduce eight basic colors.
The two birds presented on each spread not only are of similar coloration, but also live in the same North American habitat. A scarlet tanager and a cardinal, both male, perch in a red maple tree; a male Eastern bluebird and a blue jay appear with morning glories and blueberries. The name of each color is printed in large font, while the name of each bird is in a much smaller one. Whether the bird shown is male or female, or if the male and female have similar coloring, is also indicated. The names of the trees they perch upon are identified in a note on the back cover. These details will be lost on most toddlers, but caregivers will appreciate being able to answer questions knowledgeably. Colors featured are from the standard box of crayons, except that pink is substituted for purple. Black and white share a spread. The cover image, of a cardinal, goldfinch, and bluebird in a birdbath, is not nearly as inviting as the images within. The final spread shows children (one white, one black, one Asian) assembling a puzzle that includes the same birds. This may serve as a reprise but will probably be skipped over. Bird-loving readers will probably feel that the space could have been put to better use by giving white birds their own page or adding a purple martin.
Useful for toddling birders in need of board books about colors. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: May 2, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-58089-742-6
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: April 16, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A disappointing twist on a popular theme. More gimmick than engaging.
This noisy board book is designed to thrill tots fascinated with all things construction.
A tactile backhoe digger is center stage on each of the five cutout pages, complete with flaps. Brief rhyming text describes the machine’s actions as it works throughout the day. Animal characters engaged in manual labor or operating other machinery—a bulldozer, crane, road roller, and dump truck—describe more work that goes on at a construction site in small speech bubbles. Finding the mouse in every scene adds to the fun. On each page, a little bird sporting a hard hat invites young builders to press various parts of the silicone digger to activate a range of distinct sounds. The digger’s track pad sounds different from the sound of its arm moving dirt. The problem is that the digger itself is passive; the track pad and arm don’t actually move. The machine stays in the same place on every spread. The caution light beeps but doesn’t light up. Savvy kids will quickly realize that all the sounds are accessible from the first spread without having to turn the pages. The sound is the most engaging part of the book, but with only five sounds, this feature won’t hold most youngsters’ attention for long.
A disappointing twist on a popular theme. More gimmick than engaging. (Novelty board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Sept. 7, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-68010-684-8
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2021
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