Farm sounds get matched with their animals in this book within a book.
Two separate sets of pages that share a binding and turn independently, one set nested in the center of the other, make up this book’s gimmick. Youngsters are encouraged, by simple query, to match the larger page surrounding the inset. “Who says MOO, MOO, MOO?” is the caption at the bottom of the first outer page, accompanied by clues of a bovine nature: “calf,” “milk,” and “bull.” The accompanying nested page reveals the answer (“cow”) against a background of the same color for added confirmation. The pattern of sounds, colors, and clues continues with a hen, a horse, a pig, and a duck. On the final, “sheep” spread readers finally meet a human, a white farmer with a sheepdog. Saunders’ warmly colored illustrations have a pleasingly folksy feel, making the matching game appealing to the younger set. While the format is clever and seems sturdy enough for home use, the double binding may not withstand heavy-duty library circulation.
A simple, playful, and satisfying page-turner. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 29, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-338-26211-7
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 22, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2019
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS
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BOOK REVIEW
There’s plenty of information and instruction crammed into this 5 ½-inch-square board book.
Hutton starts with the opening lines of “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” leaving blanks to indicate where readers should fill in key words. Caregivers of toddlers who do not know the song will need to supply the words until their children are familiar enough with it to play the game. On the third page the tone shifts to conversational questioning, providing a model of dialogic reading. The adult reader speaks directly to the child: “Did you just see a bug? What kind of bug was it?…Was it BIG or small? Inside or outside?” The next six pages continue in that vein, providing information in response to the questions. Pages 11 and 12 refer to the rhyme again: “What’s that spider doing? Yes, it’s climbing! Climbing up a water spout! Climbing up a water spout at Grandpa’s house!” This method of repetition and expansion on an idea is excellent practice for beginning readers, but again, toddlers may need time to adjust. The final spread returns to a question likely to engage toddlers, with no practice necessary: “What’s your favorite kind of bug?” Colorful illustrations in shades of blue, green, and brown are only semirealistic; they emphasize a friendly look instead of a creepy one, potentially disappointing for young entomologists fascinated by the real thing.
For very young children already buggy for bugs. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: April 7, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-936669-80-6
Page Count: 14
Publisher: blue manatee press
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS
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An ocean-themed entry in the Hello World series.
A white youngster with long hair sporting a swim mask encourages little ones to “Dive in and take a look!” at ocean life. Each double-page spread presents a different marine animal, including whales, dolphins, sharks, an octopus, a crab and a lobster, sea turtles, fish, and jellyfish. Two or three conversationally conveyed facts of interest are included per double-page spread, one of which is usually in a smaller type and marked with an asterisk for obscure reasons. “What’s that? It’s a sea horse? It can quickly change colors to blend with the background, helping it hide from enemies,” reads the larger text in one representative spread, while the text in the smaller font reads, “A sea horse father carries eggs in a pouch until they are ready to hatch.” A trio of children, all of whom have light complexions, build a sand castle on the beach and collect shells to highlight the wide variety of the latter that can be found. McDonald’s jewel-toned art has the look of watercolor and is appropriately watery and accessible. The final pages allow children to reflect on their favorite ocean animal as the art reviews all the creatures depicted.
A gentle underwater excursion. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Feb. 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-525-57877-2
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: March 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2019
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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