Format: Board Book

Born in the Wild; Baby Animals and Their Parents

Born in the Wild; Baby Animals and Their ParentsBorn in the Wild: Baby Animals and Their Parents by Lita Judge
Published by Roaring Brook Press on June 18th 2019
ISBN: 125018990X
Pages: 24
Goodreads
four-stars

This board book is enticing and extremely attractive.  Adult readers and their youngsters will be equally delighted by the adorable illustrations of 16 species of wild animals.  While the text is sparse the appeal is heightened by the phrases of love and caring.  Animals are portrayed in realistic colors and the anatomy has not been altered; these animals looks much as they do in the wild.

Add this edition to public libraries where board books are collected.   Born in the Wild is an excellent choice as a gift for baby showers and first birthdays. Delightful addition to any home toddler collection.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services Librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

Get Out of My Bath!

Get Out of My Bath!Get Out of My Bath! by Britta Teckentrup
Published by Nosy Crow on December 31st 2018
ISBN: 1536202746
Pages: 22
Goodreads
three-stars

A board book version of the 2015 book. With her signature collage-style, Teckentrup introduces Ellie the Elephant who is taking a bath. Then in the style of Hervé Tullet, the reader is invited to help Ellie by shaking the book and moving it side-to-side; this is fun until a crocodile ends up in the bath followed by a flamingo, a tiger, and a mouse. Ellie is now too crowded and wants everyone out of her bath, so she sucks up all of the water and the wet, shivering animals shuffle off leaving her alone to enjoy and finish her bath. A strange message as the book starts off playfully and then shifts to dismay. Perhaps Ellie could have shared her bath and had more fun, or she could have asked the other animals to leave, or the reader could have helped shake them out of the bath? A good pre-bath read, but not a must-have.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

three-stars

I Love Space

I Love SpaceI Love Space: Explore with sliders, lift-the-flaps, a wheel, and more! by Allison Wortche
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on April 23rd 2019
ISBN: 1328529363
Pages: 14
Goodreads
three-stars

A colorful, informative board book to introduce the youngest readers/listeners to the concept of outer space. The science in the book is sound and the planets are represented well. Told in simple, clear text and illustrated with bright colors and glitter, along with plenty of flaps, this will appeal to little fingers.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

three-stars

I Love Science

I Love ScienceI Love Science: Explore with sliders, lift-the-flaps, a wheel, and more! by Allison Wortche, Steve Mack
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on April 23rd 2019
ISBN: 1328529371
Pages: 14
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
two-stars

A board book about science that asks questions using bright colors, flaps, and glitter  seems like it should be a winner. But there are a few things that don’t work: there are no answers offered and while this is mimicking how a scientist might think, asking questions with no answers in an attempt to provoke discussion and experimentation, this is a tall order for a board book. And the page with the rainbow on it does not have the rainbow in correct order according to the light spectrum; this might not be a big deal in another board book, but in a book about science it seems like an important detail. The page with the scientists’ lab could have had a few things labeled but it instead chose to include words that scientists do, which is nice, but didn’t work with the flow of the text. Kids will like the flaps and illustrations, so this will circulate in any children’s collection, but it could have been better executed.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

two-stars

You Are Light

You Are LightYou Are Light by Aaron Becker
Published by Candlewick Studio on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 1536201154
Pages: 16
Goodreads
five-stars

A board book like no other, this title is a piece of art that literally shines in sunlight.  Each page contains circular paper cuts, some containing colored inserts. The simple but thought provoking text complements the colors chosen for each individual page.  And then there are the circular illustrations which carries the theme and intent of the book. There is great emotional value within the text that will not be missed by children and adults.

You Are Light is the complete package, it is a perfect book for toddlers at home and nursery school environments. Try to read this book where there is a source of light so viewers can appreciate the full experience.  All public libraries need to make this purchase and families are encouraged to use as a gift book for preschool events/parties. A special recommendation for religious institutional collections.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

Where is Little Fish?

Where is Little Fish?Where Is Little Fish? by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on March 13th 2018
ISBN: 076369486X
Pages: 16
Goodreads
four-stars

Another cheerful lift-the-flap board book from the creator of Maisy.   Little Fish is off swimming in the sea and playing hide -and-seek with her many friends.  Is it Little Fish you see inside the shell?  Only one way to know for sure.  Just lift the flaps to see what surprises await.  Fun, easy to use and simple colorful pages for little hands.

Karen Spiliopoulos, Parsons Memorial Library, Alfred

four-stars

Count with Little Fish

four-stars

In typical Lucy Cousins fashion this colorful little board book is the perfect size counting book for the littlest hands .  The fish match the numbers in their bright appearance.  This will not fail to delight.

Karen Spiliopoulos, Parsons Memorial Library, Alfred

four-stars

Stomp! Stomp!

Five sturdy and colorful pages with lift the flaps hiding five of our favorite dinosaurs.  Easy repeatable words in the simple text that those just learning to talk will love to follow.  good and rugged for the smallest hands.

Karen Spiliopoulos, Parsons Memorial Library, Alfred

 

 

four-stars

Christmas A B C

Christmas A B CChristmas ABC by Nosy Crow, Jannie Ho
Published by Nosy Crow on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 1536202495
Pages: 26
Goodreads
three-stars

The board book format and small size of this seasonal book make it a winner for toddlers.  Employing many animals Ho has offered a book that is sure to attract little ones.  Certainly there are many like titles but this Christmas book does provide most of the secular holiday traditions.  I would have preferred however if the  B page was for Baby Jesus (or baby) as the inclusion of angels, wise men and drummer boy do imply the more religious meaning of the holiday.

Large illustrations combined with bright and open back space are a plus.  Little ones will beg to have this read over and over as they learn the letters.    Add to public libraries that collect board books and consider gifting as a baby gift to families who celebrate the holiday.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired Youth Services Librarian in Scarborough, ME

three-stars

Together

TogetherTogether by Emma Dodd
Published by Nosy Crow on March 6th 2018
ISBN: 0763699403
Pages: 22
Goodreads
four-stars

This sturdy board book about big otter and its little one is just right for sharing with your littlest readers.  The short rhyming text and lovely illustrations show how these two otters love spending the day together, from watching the sun rise to falling asleep under the stars.

reviewed by Karen Spiliopoulos, Parsons Memorial Library, Alfred

four-stars