Count on Duquennoy to deliver consistent quality.
Another playful, uncluttered concept book from the creative mind that brought us Opposites, Shapes (both 2018), and Colors (2019).
This time Duquennoy provides multiple ways for toddlers to practice numeracy skills. When the book is closed, the numerals 1 through 10 are visible on the index tabs to the right. Open the book to find the numeral enlarged on the bottom left side next to Zoe, whose black-and-white (and a smidge of yellow) zebra body forms each number. Active youngsters may be tempted to do the same with their own bodies. At the top center, a small die displays a corresponding number of dots. On the recto page, center top, a hand in a circle holds out the appropriate number of fingers. Below, Zack, an irrepressible chameleon, juggles the corresponding number of balls. Duquennoy’s choice to have Zack consistently juggle balls instead of different objects makes it easy for young children to focus on counting. Both the large numeral and the balls are slightly textured and match the chameleon’s changing color. The one line of text is also repeated. The only change is the number. On the final spread “Zoe and Zack make the number 10 / and play with 10 balls!” In this case, the balls form the “1” in the number while Zoe’s body makes the “0”—a subtle reminder of what cooperation can accomplish.
Count on Duquennoy to deliver consistent quality. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2020
ISBN: 979-1-03631-494-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Twirl/Chronicle
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to.
This simplified version of Diesen and Hanna’s The Pout-Pout Fish (2008) is appropriate for babies and toddlers.
Brief, rhyming text tells the story of a sullen fish cheered up with a kiss. A little pink sea creature pokes his head out of a hole in the sea bottom to give the gloomy fish some advice: “Smile, Mr. Fish! / You look so down // With your glum-glum face / And your pout-pout frown.” He explains that there’s no reason to be worried, scared, sad or mad and concludes: “How about a smooch? / And a cheer-up wish? // Now you look happy: / What a smile, Mr. Fish!” Simple and sweet, this tale offers the lesson that sometimes, all that’s needed for a turnaround in mood is some cheer and encouragement to change our perspective. The clean, uncluttered illustrations are kept simple, except for the pout-pout fish’s features, which are delightfully expressive. Little ones will easily recognize and likely try to copy the sad, scared and angry looks that cross the fish’s face.
An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-374-37084-8
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Peek, and you’ll find a rollicking romp here.
The favorite game of toddlers gets a dino twist.
A large dinosaur tries to outsmart a smaller companion when the duo play peekaboo together. The big dino naïvely believes they won’t be noticed behind or under sundry hiding places, but the little pal always finds their playmate. Young listeners will giggle as the large dino attempts to outwit the little one, but in vain; in every instance, the diminutive, overalls-clad dino calls out a triumphant “Peekaboo!” How come? Is it because thin tree trunks and a potted plant can’t conceal the large dino’s frame? Do the big dino’s bold, flower-print shirts stick out a mile? Even when the large dinosaur attempts an aerial hiding place, they discover that ruse doesn’t, ahem, fly, nor does hiding in a crowd wearing a Where’s Waldo?–esque red-striped cap and T-shirt do any good. In a display of good sportsmanship, the big dino concedes at the end the game was fun. The youngest audiences, all of whom will have likely engaged in marathon peekaboo sessions themselves, will undoubtedly scramble to play again. Besides stimulating playtime, this adorable board book, expressed in lilting rhymes, boosts vocabulary development through the use of some common prepositions (behind, in) and adverbs (here, there, everywhere). The illustrations are sweetly engaging; the round cutout on the front cover invites youngsters to play peekaboo games with adult partners and others. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Peek, and you’ll find a rollicking romp here. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 3, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-66592-840-3
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Boynton Bookworks
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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