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MY WORLD MY WORDS

A TODDLER'S FIRST WORDS

A pleasing addition to the toddler word-book collection.

This sweet board book introduces readers to Bobby, an anthropomorphized little animal, and his toddler world.

In this book translated from French, printed cloth tabs break up Bobby’s day into sections that present everyday words from breakfast to bedtime. The illustrations have a retro feeling and, aside from Bobby and his parents (who look like some kind of tailless rodent), present objects, other animals, and feelings in a clearly identifiable, colorful, and uncluttered way. From a spoon and plate through the important people in his life such as Mommy, Daddy, Doggy, and friends (an elephant, a fox, and a rabbit) to activities, feelings, and the weather—indeed, right down to the goodnight kiss—readers can relate to Bobby’s world. The book can be read on different levels depending on age and verbal stage. Younger children and their adult readers can concentrate on the simple words printed in large type, such as: “messy,” “clean,” and “bubbles.” Older ones ready for “plot” and a more dialogic interaction can read further: “Bobby took a bath. He is clean! Do you like to take a bath?” It is an easy way to engage early talkers in conversation and help them develop their narrative skills.

A pleasing addition to the toddler word-book collection. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: April 1, 2016

ISBN: 979-1-0276-0138-7

Page Count: 42

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Review Posted Online: March 1, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016

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PEEKABOO REX!

From the Boynton on Board series

Peek, and you’ll find a rollicking romp here.

The favorite game of toddlers gets a dino twist.

A large dinosaur tries to outsmart a smaller companion when the duo play peekaboo together. The big dino naïvely believes they won’t be noticed behind or under sundry hiding places, but the little pal always finds their playmate. Young listeners will giggle as the large dino attempts to outwit the little one, but in vain; in every instance, the diminutive, overalls-clad dino calls out a triumphant “Peekaboo!” How come? Is it because thin tree trunks and a potted plant can’t conceal the large dino’s frame? Do the big dino’s bold, flower-print shirts stick out a mile? Even when the large dinosaur attempts an aerial hiding place, they discover that ruse doesn’t, ahem, fly, nor does hiding in a crowd wearing a Where’s Waldo?–esque red-striped cap and T-shirt do any good. In a display of good sportsmanship, the big dino concedes at the end the game was fun. The youngest audiences, all of whom will have likely engaged in marathon peekaboo sessions themselves, will undoubtedly scramble to play again. Besides stimulating playtime, this adorable board book, expressed in lilting rhymes, boosts vocabulary development through the use of some common prepositions (behind, in) and adverbs (here, there, everywhere). The illustrations are sweetly engaging; the round cutout on the front cover invites youngsters to play peekaboo games with adult partners and others. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Peek, and you’ll find a rollicking romp here. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Jan. 3, 2023

ISBN: 978-1-66592-840-3

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Boynton Bookworks

Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2022

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HELLO LAMB

It’s not exactly original, but the execution, with familiar, appealing Cabrera illustrations, is attractive and perfect for...

This simple board book invites little ones to greet baby farm animals (including frog, bunny, and bee) with their corresponding sounds.

The first double-page spread greets readers with a bright yellow smiling sun and the text “Hello, Sun. / Hello, Day. / Wake up, babies. / Time to play!” Each succeeding spread has a distinct, gently patterned background, with very brief text on the verso (“Hello Puppy! / Woof Woof”). Filling up the recto is a vibrant illustration of the baby animal’s face, wide eyed and smiling, outlined in black. The final spread presents the face of a cute baby with chalky brown-gray skin, bright black eyes, and short black hair: “Goo Goo.” Babies and toddlers will enjoy looking at the baby faces, animals and human, and repeating the sounds. A companion book, Goodnight Bear, has a similar pattern of text and illustrations, though the palette is suitably darker. The moon, surprisingly, has its eyes shut, and succeeding spreads depict an owlet, a baby bat, a baby hedgehog, and other familiar nocturnal baby animals, all wide-awake and smiling. The final spread depicts a cute baby with pale skin, blond hair, and closed eyes.

It’s not exactly original, but the execution, with familiar, appealing Cabrera illustrations, is attractive and perfect for the target audience. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Jan. 17, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-4998-0430-0

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Little Bee Books

Review Posted Online: May 23, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017

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