FARM

This rhyming, tactile title introduces little ones to life on a farm.

Short, rhyming verses highlight standard elements of farm life, such as a galloping horse, hatching chicks, a round pumpkin, a crowing rooster, a scarecrow, a snoozing cat, and more. Crisp, photographic images appear against white or brightly colored backgrounds, and each double-page spread incorporates some sort of textured area for little ones to engage their senses of touch. Some of the tactile sections are very obvious, such as the soft down on one of the fluffy chicks or the sheep’s fleece, while others are more difficult to detect, like the slightly bumpy tractor tires and goat’s horns. Textures include everything from the standard—furry, wooly, silky, and bumpy—to the unusual, such as a sticky bit of honey. The tactile areas convey what each item might feel like in the real world, with the notable exception of the drops of water and the stars, which do a better job conveying the appearances of these items—shiny!—than their actual textures.

A cheery, interactive offering that serves tots well by bringing a selection of interesting sensations right to their eager little fingertips.