Usually spot-on, this time Deneux and his collaborator have missed the mark
by Marie Fordacq ; illustrated by Xavier Deneux ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 6, 2016
At night, when all is calm and quiet, a child dreams all sorts of adventures before coming home to dream some more.
A red-cheeked white child (literally white) stars in this French import. It is hard to know, though, who the intended audience is. The board-book format and high-contrast illustrations in mostly black and white with a touch of red or sparkly silver point toward babies and toddlers. But the imaginative and whimsical text—“Sometimes I dream that I am playing on a giant slide… / …while my friend plays hide-and-seek in a field of giant poppies” or “When it is time, I call to a whale and ride the waves all the way home… / …where it is calm and quiet, and I can dream a little more”—implies a slightly older audience. On each double-page spread there are elements that are either slightly depressed or raised; these are not easily seen but must instead be felt, adding a nice tactile experience. Unfortunately, the book has also incorporated an unnecessary gimmick: “glow-in-the-dark surprises!” These will probably provide more frustration than fun, as each page needs to be exposed to the light for several minutes before it can glow. Few young children will have that kind of patience.
Usually spot-on, this time Deneux and his collaborator have missed the mark . (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2016
ISBN: 979-1-02760-191-2
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
Categories: CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS
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by Eric Carle ; illustrated by Eric Carle ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 15, 2015
The latest addition to the World of Eric Carle is proof that the Wilder Award–winning picture-book creator knows what appeals to children.
This board book is both developmentally appropriate and aesthetically pleasing—perfect for toddlers. In a sturdy, oversize (10 1/2 inches square) format, Carle recycles iconic images from his vast canon to introduce shapes, colors, numbers, animals, and sounds. The flower on the cover is almost (but not quite) identical to the flower that grows from The Tiny Seed (1970). Seeing the animals throughout the pages is like recognizing old friends. But Carle and the book’s designer, Hannah Frece, put these familiar images to fresh uses to create a logical, accessible, and harmonious concept book. Although billed as a “busy book,” it is not hyperactive, using just five or six images per spread. From the mirror that lights up the sun on the cover to the touch-and-feel inserts on the page about animals to the single flap that hides a mouse from a cat, the tactile elements have been chosen with intention instead of just as gimmicks. On other pages, foils and textures are subtle, with many barely raised images that invite tracing.
A satisfying package that will indeed keep toddlers busy—exemplary. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Dec. 15, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4814-5791-0
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Nov. 17, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016
Categories: CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS
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by Eric Carle ; illustrated by Eric Carle
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by Nosy Crow ; illustrated by Jannie Ho ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 18, 2017
An abecedary of spooky or autumnal delights for the littlest readers.
Each letter of the alphabet is highlighted on a single page, the upper- and lowercase letters appearing in the upper left-hand corner, while the object is named at the bottom or in the upper right. Ho keeps her illustrations simple and places them against plain, brightly colored backgrounds, keeping them accessible to those still learning about Halloween’s many icons. The almost-fluorescent orange cover is sure to attract attention, and the palette of black, purple, orange, yellow, and radioactive green enhances the Halloween mood. But while many of the chosen items will be expected—bats, ghost, haunted house, owl, skeleton, vampire, witch, zombie—others are rather odd choices. J is for “jump,” not jack-o’-lantern (“pumpkin” is illustrated with a jack-o’-lantern); K is for a mostly black “kitten” standing in a coffin; and N is for “nightmare,” which is virtually impossible to express visually for this age group without provoking said nightmare. Here, a lavender-skinned child (zombie?) in pajamas and nightcap has arms raised and mouth open wide in surprise—perhaps in response to the mummy across the gutter? The tough letters use “quiver,” spider-decorated “underpants” on a monster, and “extra treats,” the x underlined.
While the ghoulies here are more cute than scary, “jump,” “quiver,” and “run” will probably get across the idea to even the youngest listeners that Halloween can be scary. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 18, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9527-9
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Nosy Crow/Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Aug. 7, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2018
Categories: CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS
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by Nosy Crow ; illustrated by Gerry Turley
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