A clear but unremarkable first-words primer.
A picture dictionary conveyed in a mix of stock photos and simple illustrations.
Each double-page spread organized by theme presents an abundance of captioned photos and a few illustrations to introduce youngsters to new words. Little ones can learn about the four seasons; animals found on farms, in zoos, and in homes; and various vehicles. The concluding “myself” spread, focused on feelings and body parts, spotlights five racially diverse infants and toddlers. Approximately eight or nine labelled images are featured on each of the thematic spreads, framed by brightly colored borders. Many of the objects selected are quite baby- and toddler-friendly, including the snowsuit, the stroller, and the sippy cup. A cutesy, cartoon image representing the theme appears on each spread with a speech bubble announcing the uniting concept; this is slightly jarring when paired with the hyper-realistic photos. The companion title, My First 101 Animals, follows the same pattern to depict animals grouped by their biomes, such as the jungle, grasslands, and desert, as well as pets, farm animals, and baby animals. There is a nice mix of the expected (a lion, a tiger, and a bear) and the downright obscure, at least for many American children (an emu and a quokka from Australia).
A clear but unremarkable first-words primer. (Board book. 6 mos.-2)Pub Date: Jan. 25, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4413-3309-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Peter Pauper Press
Review Posted Online: June 2, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2020
A fun, utilitarian vocabulary builder that begs to be picked up and touched.
In the tradition of Pat the Bunny, this effort offers plenty of opportunity for tactile exploration.
Though it lacks the inventiveness, charm, and nontactile sensory provocations that make Pat the Bunny an enduring classic, this gives little hands plenty to grab, feel, touch, and experience. There are no “Paul and Judy” on hand to emulate, but the die-cut, fuzzy handprint in the middle of the thick, cardboard cover makes the book’s intent and methodology clear to its audience. So does the admonition, “Let’s Get Hands-on!” accompanying a photo of a little White child with fingers and palms covered in different colors of paint. The next page lists 10 different textures along with photographs of items that act as examples of each. Featured sensations are “fluffy, crinkly, smooth, bumpy, sticky, spongy, furry, rough, scratchy, [and] soft.” Each texture gets a two-page spread featuring several different items or creatures that feel that way and one large example with a die-cut hole and an embedded tactile element of the corresponding texture. The book features plenty of vocabulary, including three synonyms for each type of texture. There’s a descriptive sentence: “Fluffy things feel light and airy,” for example. Questions add an interactive element, inviting children to explore for themselves: “If you run your finger along something crinkly, what kind of noise does it make?”
A fun, utilitarian vocabulary builder that begs to be picked up and touched. (Board book. 1-4)Pub Date: March 23, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-68010-656-5
Page Count: 22
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: June 1, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An educational and uplifting foundation in financial mindsets and rules of thumb.
A walking, talking billfold of cash takes readers through the ins and outs of money.
Held together by a shiny gold clip and often accompanied by anthropomorphic coins, our narrator is a smiley, positive presence who eats pizza and rides a bike, just like us! Money explains its value as well as how to earn it (mowing lawns, selling lemonade), spend it, save it, and share it. The narrator uses clothing as a metaphor to explain different forms of money—sometimes the narrator dons “digital and crypto clothes,” though the author doesn’t elaborate on these. A similar reference to “credit card coats” is accompanied by a warning on overspending. Most commendable are reminders of readers' self-worth: Though readers are encouraged to invest in themselves, it’s made abundantly clear that money does not confer value to people. A message about earning interest is followed by a wordless page of coins and bills passing by a bank and a credit union—concepts that are a bit too advanced to describe in detail for this book’s audience. For now, tracking savings in a clear jar (not a piggy bank) is advanced enough. A guinea pig appears throughout the cheerful, textured art, making a suitably cute sidekick for the narrator.
An educational and uplifting foundation in financial mindsets and rules of thumb. (money tips) (Informational picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781728271262
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks eXplore
Review Posted Online: Oct. 21, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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