I SEE, I TOUCH…

Working solely from the pictures, toddlers will likely easily complete the book’s first five sentences, which describe the five senses in turn.

Smell, sight, hearing, taste, and touch are each given two double-page spreads. Well-placed die cuts hint at the featured sense. They are equally successful when repositioned by the turn of the page. So, for example, two small holes are an elephant’s nostril’s while the text reads, “With my nose I can….” Turn the page, and text reads, “smell the springtime flowers,” while the holes become part of a butterfly hovering by a sunflower. This pattern continues with the eyes of an owl that become craters on the moon, the ears of a bunny listening to birds singing, the mouth of a pig ready to eat watermelon, and a baby fox opening a door to touch the warm “hands” of an adult fox. On the final spread the foxes cuddle while the text reviews all five senses as expressions of love. Soft fox fur is a final tactile surprise. Watercolor is the ideal medium for these gentle animals. They are stylized, expressive, and recognizable. The die-cut bird and door may not survive grasping baby fingers, so, like childhood, this board book may not last long.

Babies and toddlers will want to do more than just see this book—let them touch! (Board book. 6 mos.-3)