An eye-popping exploration of the world of animals.
Animals of all shapes, sizes, and colors are ready for little readers to discover.
This bright and colorful board book is filled to the brim with creatures and critters. Each double-page spread features an animal habitat on one page and several animals that live there on the corresponding page. Little ones are encouraged to spot bears, turtles, pigs, and other animals in their surroundings, making for an intense and enjoyable interactive experience. The habitats range from under the sea to in the barnyard and in the deepest jungles. When depicted in its home, each animal makes its own unique noise, which is one more thing for readers to imitate and enjoy. (Artistic license is at work here; while no one will question the birds saying “tweet,” it’s a bit of a stretch to assert that a jellyfish says “blooop.”) The crazy colors and rounded illustrations catch the eyes, and occasional die-cuts give the pages textures and additional dimensions that draw readers in as well.
An eye-popping exploration of the world of animals. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7945-3644-2
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Usborne
Review Posted Online: Dec. 21, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Add this playful purchase to the ever expanding going-to-sleep bookcase.
In a nice twist, instead of a book putting readers to sleep, here it is readers who put the book to sleep.
In this gentle board book, originally written in French, children are encouraged to go over the routines that many may well recognize as their own bedtime routines. On the left-hand page of each double-page spread, a pink, mouselike character guides children in the questions and actions that will help “the book” go to sleep. The latter character occupies the entire right-hand page with a blue cloth-binding background on which two eyes, a nose, and a mouth are superimposed. “Did you brush your teeth?” and “Did you go pee-pee?” both get a “yes” from the book—though its eyes do look to the side, slightly abashed by the latter question. Practical matters taken care of, it is now time to read it a little story, make sure it is warm, has its blankie, and of course, give it a big hug and a little kiss. As the book’s eyes begin to close and its mouth opens to a big yawn, it’s time to turn off the light. On the last spread readers see the book with eyes closed, and children are instructed to close the book very gently.
Add this playful purchase to the ever expanding going-to-sleep bookcase. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 12, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-553-53875-5
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The targeted diaperati will likely be similarly enervated by this bland open house.
A ginger cat introduces young viewers to his personal house and world.
“I am Jim. // This is my house.” Starting from the tree outside, this feline tour guide jumps to the roof, then down to ground level to climb in a window, sit in a rocker in “my living room,” and stroll from kitchen to bedroom to bathroom and litter box. A noise at the door leads to an introduction to Jane, who “makes my dinner,” and then it’s back to the tree for a final survey of the suburban neighborhood. Painted in vividly contrasting colors and with thick architectural elements modeled to look like sculpted clay, the house and its furnishings seem almost archetypal in their simple solidity. But for all the elemental visual appeal of the illustrations, it’s a dull tour, without much to see beyond the generic and none of the visual surprises that animate Barton’s recent My Bus (2014) and My Bike (2015). Even Jim seems bored, concluding with a listless “I like my home. Meow.”
The targeted diaperati will likely be similarly enervated by this bland open house. (Picture book. 1-3)Pub Date: April 12, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-06-233703-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 21, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016
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