While the premise is interesting, the execution is imperfect.
Various marine animals explore the ins and outs of motion.
Little ones are encouraged to examine the space around them with this board book. Each double-page spread features a different set of animals, varying from polar bears to jellyfish, moving through space. Each page features a tab that, when pulled, moves the animal through the scenery and reveals escalating relative modifiers, such as "Under, behind, over" or "Below, beside, above." As the tab is pulled, readers see one animal move through the three different described positions. The tabs are difficult to manage at times, and though they are sturdy enough, the surrounding card stock is all too easy to tear. Anxious readers may even be able to tug the tab out completely, thus ruining the illusion. The illustrations are colorful enough, but some of the logic of the text is lost in the interpretation: can a fish that swims “through” a frond of seaweed really be said to be moving from “inside” to “outside”? A complementary title, Small, Smaller, Smallest, exploring similar territory with woodland critters is also available.
While the premise is interesting, the execution is imperfect. (Board book. 1-2)Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4549-1562-1
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Sterling
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
A lovely, simple lift-the-flap book that will stand the test of many a mighty tot.
Little ones learn about bugs.
The world of insects and like small creatures is the focus of this sturdy board book. Each turn of the page gives readers a close view of a particular habitat. The text asks, “Where’s the ladybug?” or “Where’s the snail?” and little ones are encouraged to find the creatures under shaped felt flaps. A caterpillar poses under a leaf with a few bites taken out of it; a bumblebee flies behind a pink tulip. The flaps are made of a reasonably strong material, secured tightly within the book’s pages. Extremely determined readers may figure out a way to pull the flaps out, but most will enjoy flipping them up and over with ease. The last page of the book contains a mirror hidden behind a bush-shaped flap, and readers are asked “And where are you?” The insects smile with big eyes and are composed of large, circular, clean-edged shapes. The color palette is dulled, making the neon flaps pop effectively for little readers. Concurrently publishing companion Where’s the Giraffe? explores the world of jungle animals.
A lovely, simple lift-the-flap book that will stand the test of many a mighty tot. (Board book. 1-2)Pub Date: March 28, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9335-0
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Review Posted Online: June 18, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
Great for a birthday read and enjoyable all year long.
A little one grabs a pair of shutter shades and gets a major groove on.
"Who loves to party?" The board book kicks off with this question, and each page follows with a different animal enjoying a wild time in increasingly silly ways. Lemurs hang streamers, pheasants wrap presents, and the mole rat wears his party hat. The titular baby makes a grand entrance on the second to last page, answering the original question and taking this party to a whole new level. The rhythmic, internally rhyming lines encourage a thumping beat for little ones to clap or stomp along with. Young readers will delight at all the animals and the funky colors, and adults will snicker at the contemporary quirks of the party. More board books should have parakeets dropping beats and ocelots that rock a lot. Electric colors and busy compositions make for an appropriately frenetic accompaniment.
Great for a birthday read and enjoyable all year long. (Board book. 1-2)Pub Date: May 5, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4814-2994-8
Page Count: 30
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
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