Young children will be captivated by the exceptional illustrations but not much more
Well-known backyard animals and their immediate surroundings are represented in this beautifully illustrated board book.
Six different animals common to suburban and rural environments are presented in simple text and realistic illustrations. Meet a robin, a honeybee, a toad, a rabbit, a squirrel, and a mole. Each double-page spread of the board book is dedicated to one animal, culminating in the final one, where all are present. Though it does not detract from the book, it is of interest to note that the robin depicted is not an American robin but a European robin. The text, though short and simple, is language-rich: “TOAD slurps a fly with its long, sticky tongue”; “MOLE finds worms as it tunnels underground.” The real pride of place in the book goes to the illustrations. Done in liquid acrylics, each painting is exact to the last detail and beautiful. Unfortunately though, the book falls just short of the mark, as both the text and the illustrations are just descriptive rather than informative, thereby sparking neither curiosity nor imagination. Young readers will probably not come back for repeat readings.
Young children will be captivated by the exceptional illustrations but not much more . (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 8, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-56846-287-5
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Creative Editions/Creative Company
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
It's easier to be the hunter than the hunted in this board book that represents the food chain.
Each character appears safe at first glance, but a neutral or smug facial expression turns to trepidation when a predator (or pesky nuisance) hurries it off the page. A frog chases the bee; a snake pursues the frog; a mongoose hunts the snake, and so on: “Scary mongoose, / scary mongoose… / why do you flee? // Because there's a fierce lion chasing me!” There's no relief from the hunt in this circular tale; even the king of the jungle expresses fear when a hunter in safari gear approaches with a net, and guess who's after the hunter? Exaggerated body language and comical facial expressions blunt any potential fright. Italicized type emphasizes rhythmic phrases. The mixed-media scenes feature squiggly black lines that convey energy and movement. The brevity of the text suits the compact offering. Unfortunately, this selection suffers from an unnecessary tactile gimmick. Due to sparkling fabric wings on the cover, a choking-hazard label warns the selection unsuitable for children younger than 3; it's simply a puzzling decision, as the toddler audience would benefit the most from these sturdy pages. This unnecessary, flimsy accessory diminishes the book’s effectiveness. (Board book. 2-4)
Pub Date: April 3, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-316-12707-3
Page Count: 24
Publisher: LB Kids/Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 29, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2012
Hands down, this subject is a poor choice for a board format.
This hand-shaped effort describes the purpose and power behind people's hands.
Wordy spreads discuss the differences between right and left, challenging readers to examine them and use them in a variety of ways. The text is utterly at odds developmentally with the toddling audience. “Cross your wrists so that your RIGHT hand is now on the LEFT and your LEFT hand is now on the RIGHT.” The text asks the child listeners to place their hands over the front and back covers (in the shape of two hands) to distinguish their right from left. Unfortunately, the pages' shapes are the opposite inside, so the "right hand" appears on the left side when facing readers. A hodgepodge of instructions and vignettes clutters the already cramped pages. Tiny cartoon illustrations sometimes appear odd and even disconcerting in context. “Do any of your other fingers do special things? We use our forefinger to say, be quiet!” The corresponding image depicts a slouching boy with trumpet in hand; a woman towers over him with her shaking finger in an angry reprimand.
Hands down, this subject is a poor choice for a board format. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7641-6517-7
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Barron's
Review Posted Online: June 12, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2012
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