ANIMAL OPPOSITES

Sixteen different critters introduce preschoolers to 16 antonyms.

Two koalas in a tree stare directly at the reader; a bespectacled tortoise appears stylish and smart as she clips a flower from her garden; a rabbit romps purposefully through high grass; and more. For each double-page spread, the animal depicted on the verso embodies a particular descriptor, and the animal on the recto illustrates the opposite descriptor. A “little” ant faces down a “big” anteater; a honeybee contemplating a “full” jar of honey contrasts with a bear carrying the same jar, now “empty”; and a “cold” penguin dressed for winter in a bobble hat and scarf appears across from a “hot” camel trudging along under the desert sun. Each creature’s name appears beneath it in blue font, and the lexical opposites appear at the tops of the pages in yellow font. The images should provoke plenty of discussion beyond the text, which offers numerous vocabulary-building opportunities. The simultaneously published companion volume Colors in the Garden is similarly patterned, depicting a variety of garden creatures and flora—including roses, hydrangeas, and cacti as well as apple, cherry blossom, and bonsai trees—plus 14 colors, including “black and white” and “multicolored.” Author/illustrator Farina’s high-contrast artwork is dominated by primary colors and uses a retro-fied modern graphic design aesthetic, with uncluttered compositions that are nevertheless rich in personality and detail. Both volumes should captivate little ones and caregivers alike and are great candidates for solo toddler reading.

Bold, playful design and animal appeal make this an ideal choice for teaching early learning concepts.