Readers explore basic preschool concepts with that ever-popular mouse, Maisy (Happy Birthday Maisy, 1998, etc.). Touting over 36 flaps, this giant-sized board book introduces children to counting, shapes, colors, and the notion of opposites. Cousins uses scenarios familiar to young children to underscore the concepts presented. Along with Maisy and her trio of friends, readers can toil in the garden counting insects and blossoms, choose colors for painting, clean up shapes in the playroom, and learn about opposites on the playground. What makes this bright, engaging book exceptional is its solid educational foundation that never loses its playful edge. By combining brief text with simple questions that prompt readers to investigate the flaps, Cousins successfully introduces a new idea while fostering readers' comprehension—all in a beguiling, entertaining manner. For example, the playroom features a shelf full of toys and readers are asked to identify the ones that match a particular shape. Along the bottom of the page are labeled flaps depicting each basic shape. Readers can lift the flaps to reveal the matching toy underneath—a diamond-shaped kit, a triangular hat, etc.—effectively extending the concept of shapes to incorporate real-life applications. Cousins's gaily colored, child-like illustrations feature favorite characters, with each full-bleed, two-page spread containing a myriad of flaps for little ones to lift and explore. Brimming with interactive educational opportunities—and a whole lot of fun to boot—this is a notable addition to the Maisy collection. (Board book. 2-5)
Pub Date: April 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-7636-1189-1
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2001
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Good deeds beget good deeds in this graphically bold and bright celebration of benevolence. Hen gives Pig an egg, a kindness that inspires him to give a carrot to Rabbit, who in turn picks flowers for Cow, and so on until Pig returns the initial favor by presenting Hen with a chick—hatched from her original egg. The clever turn of events leaves readers wondering if Hen has hornswoggled Pig into doing the work of hatching her egg, or if she is simply thanking him for the gift? The youngest readers and listeners will not be distracted by such concerns and will enjoy shouting out “How kind!” as it’s repeated throughout the text; they may also be inspired to emulate the animals and take turns doing one another kindnesses. Electric pink, sky blue, yellow, orange, purple, and tennis-ball-green ink-and-wash illustrations outlined in heavy black add to the cheer and are complemented by the loose yet readable typeface, created by and named for Murphy (Koala and the Flower, not reviewed, etc.). For just plain storytime fun or for introducing the concept of karma, this is a winner. (Picture book. 2-4)
Pub Date: May 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-7636-1732-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A pleasing poem that celebrates babies around the world. Whether from a remote village or an urban dwelling, a tent or the snow, Fox notes that each “of these babies, / as everyone knows, / had ten little fingers / and ten little toes.” Repeated in each stanza, the verse establishes an easy rhythm. Oxenbury’s charming illustrations depict infants from a variety of ethnicities wearing clothing that invokes a sense of place. Her pencil drawings, with clean watercolor washes laid in, are sweetly similar to those in her early board books (Clap Hands, 1987, etc.). Each stanza introduces a new pair of babies, and the illustrations cleverly incorporate the children from the previous stanzas onto one page, allowing readers to count not only fingers and toes but also babies. The last stanza switches its focus from two children to one “sweet little child,” and reveals the narrator as that baby’s mother. Little readers will take to the repetition and counting, while parents will be moved by the last spread: a sweet depiction of mother and baby. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-15-206057-2
Page Count: 34
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2008
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