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7 BEST THINGS ABOUT FAMILY

From the Best Things About... series

A sweet, somewhat familiar look at family.

A rabbit brood shares the things that make family special.

This book shares seven things (generated by kids themselves, according to the back cover) that little ones love to do with their families, among them playing and vacationing. Reminiscent of those in Lucy Cousins’ Maisy series, with bright colors and thick black outlining, the artwork portrays a family of snow-white bunnies building a play fort, enjoying chocolate chip pancakes, cuddled on a bed reading a book. The bunnies are cute and appealing, with rosy cheeks and simple expressions. An image of one little rabbit enjoying pancakes, tongue sticking out in delight, is especially adorable. Another page, with text reading “Hugs and kisses are the best,” depicts a little rabbit with a cut knee while a parent comforts them. There are numerous board books on the topic, however, and this one doesn’t quite stand out—some may wish the book had included representations of different kinds of families, such as single-parent. Still, the concept is meaningful, and the book will likely please little ones. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A sweet, somewhat familiar look at family. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: March 21, 2023

ISBN: 9781486724208

Page Count: 14

Publisher: Flowerpot Press

Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2023

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IT'S NOT THE BABY

I-spy reading fun for little eyes.

A board book with great potential for interaction between a baby and the reader who shares it.

From one spread to the next, text poses observations and questions that are answered with the titular refrain, “it’s not the baby.” Accompanying pictures provide context and invite readers to point to key elements or to verbally identify them in response to the text. For example, the third double-page spread reads, “Who just tiptoed in to take frosting off the birthday cake? / It’s not the baby.” The accompanying illustration shows a grinning mouse gripping a hunk of brightly frosted cake in its front paws. Other animals and one white preschool-age child make similar mischief throughout the book, until the final spread when the white baby depicted on the cover reappears and is identified as the one who made “a great big slurp followed by a giant BURP.” “It IS the baby,” concludes the text as characters from the prior pages look on with wide-eyed expressions. The digital art uses bright colors to attract the eye and employs a cartoon style befitting the playful text, though the busyness of the pictures indicates an older toddler rather than infant audience.

I-spy reading fun for little eyes. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)

Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-68152-194-7

Page Count: 14

Publisher: Amicus Ink

Review Posted Online: Sept. 30, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2018

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YOU ARE MY LITTLE PUMPKIN PIE

Share this sweet treat with baby for some serious bonding time

Smitten adults gush over the attributes of their little ones by comparing them to the goodness of sweet pumpkin pie.

The simple rhyming text is jovial, celebratory and just a little silly. Take this, for example: “Your scent is just delightful— / Like cinnamon and spice. // Each time I kiss your yummy cheek, / I have to kiss it twice.” Spoonfuls of praise pile up, like giant dollops of whipped cream, culminating with the final pages: “You are so delicious— / The star of any feast. // You’re my little pumpkin pie, / Each and every piece.” The interactions between adult and baby that the text invites will make sharing this an enjoyable experience and help keep baby’s attention. In a nice touch, the illustrations depict different families on each page spread, and the multiethnic cast of characters includes both women and men cuddling with their little ones. The warm tones, pumpkin-pie theme, and orange and gold-leafed trees featured in the illustrations make this a natural choice for fall reading. A shiny corrugated pie plate and glittery whipped cream add a little zip to the cover, inviting readers to dig in.

Share this sweet treat with baby for some serious bonding time . (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Aug. 6, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-316-20714-0

Page Count: 16

Publisher: LB Kids/Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: July 30, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2014

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