Another playful, uncluttered concept book from the creative mind that brought us Opposites, Shapes (both 2018), and Colors (2019).
This time Duquennoy provides multiple ways for toddlers to practice numeracy skills. When the book is closed, the numerals 1 through 10 are visible on the index tabs to the right. Open the book to find the numeral enlarged on the bottom left side next to Zoe, whose black-and-white (and a smidge of yellow) zebra body forms each number. Active youngsters may be tempted to do the same with their own bodies. At the top center, a small die displays a corresponding number of dots. On the recto page, center top, a hand in a circle holds out the appropriate number of fingers. Below, Zack, an irrepressible chameleon, juggles the corresponding number of balls. Duquennoy’s choice to have Zack consistently juggle balls instead of different objects makes it easy for young children to focus on counting. Both the large numeral and the balls are slightly textured and match the chameleon’s changing color. The one line of text is also repeated. The only change is the number. On the final spread “Zoe and Zack make the number 10 / and play with 10 balls!” In this case, the balls form the “1” in the number while Zoe’s body makes the “0”—a subtle reminder of what cooperation can accomplish.
Count on Duquennoy to deliver consistent quality. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2020
ISBN: 979-1-03631-494-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Twirl/Chronicle
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
Categories: CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS
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Animal parents declare their love for their offspring in alphabetical order.
Each page displays an enormous capital letter, one line of verse with the keyword capitalized, and a loving nonhuman parent gazing adoringly at their baby. “A is for Always. I always love you more. / B is for Butterfly kisses. It’s you that I adore.” While not named or labelled as such, the A is also for an alligator and its hatchling and B is for a butterfly and a butterfly child (not a caterpillar—biology is not the aim of this title) interacting in some way with the said letter. For E there are an elephant and a calf; U features a unicorn and foal; and X, keyed to the last letter of the animal’s name, corresponds to a fox and three pups. The final double-page spread shows all the featured creatures and their babies as the last line declares: “Baby, I love you from A to Z!” The verse is standard fare and appropriately sentimental. The art is cartoony-cute and populated by suitably loving critters on solid backgrounds. Hearts accent each scene, but the theme of the project is never in any doubt.
Perfect for Valentine’s Day, but the syrupy sweetness will cloy after the holiday. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-7282-2095-6
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Jan. 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2021
Categories: CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ANIMALS
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This simple board book invites little ones to greet baby farm animals (including frog, bunny, and bee) with their corresponding sounds.
The first double-page spread greets readers with a bright yellow smiling sun and the text “Hello, Sun. / Hello, Day. / Wake up, babies. / Time to play!” Each succeeding spread has a distinct, gently patterned background, with very brief text on the verso (“Hello Puppy! / Woof Woof”). Filling up the recto is a vibrant illustration of the baby animal’s face, wide eyed and smiling, outlined in black. The final spread presents the face of a cute baby with chalky brown-gray skin, bright black eyes, and short black hair: “Goo Goo.” Babies and toddlers will enjoy looking at the baby faces, animals and human, and repeating the sounds. A companion book, Goodnight Bear, has a similar pattern of text and illustrations, though the palette is suitably darker. The moon, surprisingly, has its eyes shut, and succeeding spreads depict an owlet, a baby bat, a baby hedgehog, and other familiar nocturnal baby animals, all wide-awake and smiling. The final spread depicts a cute baby with pale skin, blond hair, and closed eyes.
It’s not exactly original, but the execution, with familiar, appealing Cabrera illustrations, is attractive and perfect for the target audience. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 17, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0430-0
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS
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