TOUCH!

One hundred and fifty words, most of them useful!

This substantial, 24-page board book aims to expand the vocabularies of young readers by way of text, drawings, and 30 touch-and-feel elements. Each page depicts objects organized by theme: “Meal Time,” “Bedtime,” and “Bath Time,” for example, or “Clothes,” “At the Market,” and “On the Road.” The book concludes with 10 pages of animals: “Short Hair,” “Furry,” “Smooth Skin,” “Rough Skin,” “Scales and Shells,” and “Birds.” Textured items on each page keep little fingers and minds engaged—a baby bottle, a plush blanket, a burlap sack, a corduroy jacket, horse “hair,” wolf “fur,” and fish “scales,” to name a few. The book depicts children of varied ethnicities—a white boy and girl on the front and back covers respectively, a brown-skinned boy and a girl who appears to be his younger sister, and a black-haired, brown-skinned boy buying strawberries. There are a few sour notes: one familiar toy is labeled a “shape sorter,” which many children will simply see as a puzzle. “Ride-on car,” too, sounds awkward, though descriptive. “Jam” is recognizable, but “hazelnut spread” seems a stretch for a child. Both resemble leading grocery-store brands. “Toast” is covered in a sticky spread that collects hair and dirt when laid on a rug.

Quibbles aside, kids will enjoy reading and handling this book as long as its (not particularly sturdy) binding lasts.