Though a bit of a bust in the concept department, it’s a good way to set the stage for friends like George and Martha, Frog...
A new pair of best friends for the board-book crowd is introduced in this Australian import.
Lionel (a lion, natch) and Molly (a tiny mouse) make an improbable pair of best friends. Despite the size and dietary differences, though, they like the same things: jumping in puddles, picking apples, soaking up the sun, and watching leaves fall. Each activity is conveniently paired with a color—blue, green, yellow, red, respectively. Unfortunately, the tactile elements on each spread are unrelated to the color. For example, the puddle-jumping spread shows off a shiny fuchsia umbrella, while the “big blue puddle” is not highlighted. On the next page, Lionel's fuzzy yellow belly will attract little fingers, while the green apple referred to in the text is hidden in an equally green tree. In fact, recognizing and naming the colors is incidental to this simple story of friendship. Companion Opposites works somewhat better, though again the tactile elements seem arbitrarily chosen instead of carefully used to direct the child's attention to essential concepts. For example, on the page that says “Lionel is BIG. / Molly is small,” the bees are both fuzzy and, in one case, bigger than the mouse. The sweet tales of friendship overcome these minor flaws. Lionel and Molly's friendship will be a useful model for toddlers who are just starting to move beyond parallel play to social interaction.
Though a bit of a bust in the concept department, it’s a good way to set the stage for friends like George and Martha, Frog and Toad, and Elephant and Piggie. (Board book. 2-3)Pub Date: June 2, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0049-4
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
These busy arrangements require an older audience and a different format.
Though bright and bold, this exploration of color demonstrates a dreary understanding of tots' abilities.
Clearly recognizable photographs, several to a spread, present both objects regularly associated with specific colors (yellow school bus, red ladybug) and those that occur in many hues (crayon, flower). Each color is introduced in a clear spread that features several labeled objects, while the following spread asks the audience to find items of that color in a crowded scene full of like choices. “This is candy for a special after-dinner treat. Can you find everything orange?” The scattering of orange-peel candies and an array of gumdrops and jelly beans in eye-poppingly bright shades makes it difficult to distinguish among the treats. Each of these spreads also presents a factoid in an inset circle that lacks any context for the toddling set. “GUESS WHAT? / It takes 7 to 21 days to make a jellybean.” Companion title Same and Different requires a similarly advanced skill set, asking listeners to "spot the difference."
These busy arrangements require an older audience and a different format. (Board book. 2-3)Pub Date: June 12, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4263-0929-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: National Geographic
Review Posted Online: June 12, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A cute, serviceable game.
The iconic white cat enjoys the summer season.
Hello Kitty is here to soak up the sun and appreciate all that summertime has to offer in this mix-and-match board book. The book's split pages make it possible for readers to fiddle around with Kitty's outfits, scenery, and activities. It's entirely possible to read the book straight through and witness sensible situations, such as Kitty playing baseball and hitting home runs and dressing up as a bee for the summer parade, but it's better fun to make the character dress up like a bee to hit a home run. The pictures are all on recto, with the text on verso also flipping with the flaps: “Hello Kitty goes swimming / to get some yummy ice cream.” The book's binding is solidly constructed and will certainly stand up to several mix and matches. This one would probably serve well as a travel book for little ones to play with in the car on the way to their own summer adventures.
A cute, serviceable game. (Board book. 2-3)Pub Date: May 5, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0047-0
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: May 11, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
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