First Words: Early Learning at the Museum by Nosy Crow, The Trustees of the British Museum
Published by Nosy Crow on May 7th 2019
ISBN: 1536205842
Pages: 22
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I opened this simple board book at work and thought that it was beautiful and that my kids would have enjoyed it as toddlers. Each panel has a single word combined with an artifact from the British Museum and the background colors are warm and pleasant. Easy enough review, right? Well, then two of my favorite young patrons, aged 7 and 11, came over and pointed out that none of the items in the book look like they do in real life. They were particularly contemptuous of an antique, chipped plaster and canvas sphere that says “Ball”. This threw me; they’re right, of course, but then again so many kids’ books ask them to stretch their imaginations.

 

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath