Condescending text choices in the second part of this counting book undermine the whimsical, retro graphics.
This small, hardcover book uses brightly colored images, words, and numerals to illustrate counting from one to 10.
Initially, each number receives the same treatment: midverso is one large numeral, and underneath is its spelling, in clear, sans-serif lettering. The bold turquoise is a good choice against the stark white page. Each recto sports a colorful, block-print illustration. Above it is a small version of the turquoise numeral and the name of the pictured images, from “1 unicorn” to “10 bugs.” In between are, in ascending order, owls, ice creams, hats, kites, robots, turrets, legs (on one spider), and cakes. Appealing details such as faces on kites and berries on cakes invite eyes to linger. The second set of pages seems at first glance to invite repeated counting, again ascending from one to 10. “How many cowboys?” on the verso is perfectly matched by one cowboy on the opposite page. Unfortunately, inaccurate or values-laden adjectives are inexplicably assigned to the remaining groups from two to 10, derailing the counting objective. The page with nine birds asks, “How many squawking birds?” It shows nine closed-mouth birds, including an owl. Two mermaids (white, like the rest of the human characters) are labeled “beautiful.” Other missteps include “scary monsters” and “stylish shoes.”
Condescending text choices in the second part of this counting book undermine the whimsical, retro graphics. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-909263-59-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 2, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
Save young readers and would-be counters the frustration and don’t open these ineffective holiday packages.
Cuddlebear and his mama count his blessings in a candy-coated world.
This anthropomorphic bear counts from one to 10 the things (friends, family, food, home, etc.) he is thankful for in the lightly Thanksgiving-themed scenes. There are one or two flaps per page of various sizes that open to reveal a variety of images behind doors, windows, cupboards, rocks and more. An additional flap on the page has a numeral on the outside and provides an invitation on the interior to count various objects of said quantity on the page. Many of these objects are so small that they are impossible to locate and are blurry in the too-detailed, overbusy art. The sister book, Countdown to Christmas (978-1-4027-9983-9), reverses the process and takes readers from 10 to one as Little Reindeer eagerly counts off the days to Christmas. Again, the flaps on each page reveal elves and various critters getting ready for the big day at Santa’s workshop. Numbers are written on flaps shaped like Christmas-tree ornaments, and below these flaps readers are encouraged to pinpoint various items. Again, many of these objects (particularly paint cans and snowballs) are difficult to find. Both the art and the text drip sentimentality.
Save young readers and would-be counters the frustration and don’t open these ineffective holiday packages. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4027-9982-2
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Sterling
Review Posted Online: Sept. 24, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2014
While this may illustrate a typical family day, there are lots of blanks that readers (and listeners) will have to fill in...
This French import is a confusing miss for youngsters looking for reassurance on their first days of school.
The end of the holidays means the start of school for a family with three children. With their mother, they go shopping for school supplies and shoes and get haircuts and their pictures taken. On the first day, vignettes show the myriad things the family members do to get ready—shaving, tying shoelaces, squeezing oranges for juice, putting on makeup, brushing teeth, etc. Dad takes the oldest two to school, while Mom drops off the toddler at day care. The pages then follow the three children through their days, but it is difficult to keep track of them among the other, similarly drawn children, especially after they take off their jackets, removing an easy identifier. Single-and double-page spreads alternate with vignettes, which are sometimes labeled like a list, making the pages visually busy. Indeed, with its spareness of text, the story is experienced more through the softly colored illustrations and the body language of the people. The rosy-cheeked children are a nice mix of races and genders (the baby sitter is black), and the scenes are ones that will be universally familiar.
While this may illustrate a typical family day, there are lots of blanks that readers (and listeners) will have to fill in for themselves…maybe too many. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: Aug. 15, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-926973-95-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Review Posted Online: May 7, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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