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FLUTTERBY BUTTERFLY

Flutterby Butterfly’s mild mystery makes for good, interactive fun

This interactive board book is actually sturdy enough for young children to manipulate.

Little fingers will find the sliders on each page are easy to move up and down or side to side to reveal the answer to a simple mystery: “Where is Flutterby Butterfly?” Die-cut sliders reveal a tortoise, a snail, a scarecrow, and more before readers find the title character on the final page. The cheerful 1960s mod art–style illustrations line up nicely with the interactive elements on both the front and back of each page, doubling the fun. The picture on each page hints at the critter that will be revealed by the slide. Descriptive vocabulary introduces new words while relying on the illustrations to define the words through context. Companion title Hoppity Frog follows the same format but is marred by biome confusion. The question “Is he in the coral?” presents a saltwater environment while the rest of the book is set in freshwater habitats, where the vast majority of frog species reside. While this probably does not matter to the board-book audience, it should to parents, teachers, and librarians concerned with presenting their young charges with scientific accuracy. Respect the child: accuracy trumps cuteness.

Flutterby Butterfly’s mild mystery makes for good, interactive fun . (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: April 21, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-4998-0029-6

Page Count: 10

Publisher: Little Bee Books

Review Posted Online: May 17, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015

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THE BUNNY RABBIT SHOW!

A swell read for the lighthearted. (Board book. 1-3)

The bunnies that inhabit Boynton’s colorful world put on a musical show for the other animals.

The rabbits have taken over the theater. They dance and sing, bragging about their long ears and twitchy noses for the pigs and chickens in the audience. The rhythmic chorus—“We are ten terrific rabbits and we like to dance and sing. / Ten terrific rabbits. We can do almost anything”—is mighty infectious. The author’s trademark wit and humor are on full display as the other animals dress up like bunnies and join the massive grand finale. The barnyard cast forms a musical troupe that amuses and delights. Adults will appreciate the clever sight gags, and small children will appreciate the tasteful boasting and empowering jingle. While it’s not as complete a vehicle for inculcating emergent language skills as many of Boynton’s other books, there’s no denying it’s got verve.

A swell read for the lighthearted. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-7611-8060-9

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Workman

Review Posted Online: June 30, 2014

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BUNNY ROO, I LOVE YOU

A lovely package, this quiet title will be best as a gift book for new moms eager to read aloud to the newest members of...

A mother’s observations of her new baby lead to a series of sweet comparisons to various animals.

“When I met you, you were small and trembling, and I thought you might be a little bunny. / I held you close so you were warm.” Teen author Marr (Made for You, 2014, etc.) uses playful yet comforting language in her picture-book debut. The baby’s squirming kicks remind her of a “lost kangaroo”; a lifting of the child’s head makes her think of a “curious lizard”; and the little one’s howl seems like that of a “lonely wolf.” Each of the child’s behaviors leads to a tender action taken by the mother: tucking the baby in, offering milk, and giving a bath. Each time a new creature is introduced, White gently changes the dominant color in the muted pastel palette of her watercolor and gouache illustrations. That hue is also reflected in the hand-lettered text, giving the overall design of the book a vintage feel. When the baby smiles, the mother knows “You are not a bunny-roo-lizard-wolf-kitten-piggy. You are my baby.” The final page shows the curled-up infant asleep in a pile of blankets.

A lovely package, this quiet title will be best as a gift book for new moms eager to read aloud to the newest members of their families. (Picture book. 1-3)

Pub Date: April 14, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-399-16742-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2015

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