Peekaboo Pumpkin

Peekaboo PumpkinPeekaboo: Pumpkin by Camilla Reid, Ingela P. Arrhenius
Series: Peekaboo #8
Published by Candlewick Press on July 4, 2023
Pages: 8
Genres: Humor
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

One of 9 books in the Peekaboo series. Push, pull, and slide the interactive pages of this Halloween themed book. Bold and simple graphic designs will appeal to toddlers. Most of the clever elements are fairly simple to implement and will likely hold up better than most interactive books. The mirror at the end will surely appeal to youngsters. Simple enough that an older child could easily share it with a little brother or sister.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Endangered Animals

Endangered AnimalsMy First Pop-Up Endangered Animals by Owen Davey
Published by Candlewick Press on March 21, 2023
ISBN: 1536228443
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

This is more of a 3.5 star book. The subject is important, informing readers about animals that are in danger of disappearing from our world, but the pages work best when open only 3/4 of the way; when fully open, they don’t pop that much nor do they close that easily. And though no fault of its own, a pop-up book has only limited circulation in a public library.

Each double-page spread features one animal, and while there are some very familiar animals like the tiger and the gorilla, there are also some lesser known animals like the okapi and the kakapo. The area of the world in which each animal is found is printed in the top left corner while the name of the animal along with one interesting fact is printed in the bottom right-hand corner. The overall design of the book is very clean and the color palette is appealing and stylish. This is an attractive book but will only have limited circulation due to construction and binding.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

four-stars

Where’s the Cat?

Where’s the Cat?Where's the Cat? by Ingela P. Arrhenius
Published by Candlewick Press on March 7, 2023
ISBN: 9781536229844
Pages: 10
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

The latest installment in a very popular series, this interactive board book encourages young readers to explore. Bright, clear, and simple illustrations adorn the pages. Readers are asked to find various animals, which are revealed by lifting felt flaps shaped into a castle, couch, tulip, and tree. While the title character is the hidden cat, it’s a guinea pig that steals the show. Other animals include a dog and a goldfish. The final page asks the reader, “And where are you?” Moving a felt door flap reveals a small mirror.

This series continues to be popular with our youngest readers, as it gives them the developmentally appropriate opportunity to interact with books physically. Sure to circulate.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

four-stars

Monsters Play…Counting!

Monsters Play…Counting!Monsters Play... Counting! by Flavia Z. Drago
Published by Candlewick Press on June 14, 2022
ISBN: 1536220523
Pages: 24
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

Monsters Play…Counting! is a fun board book for your collection. It takes the counting board book on a sidestep into monsters and their additional body parts! Perhaps eight legs or six arms or four wings will aid your monsters in their pursuit of play. Brightly colored illustrations and friendly monsters help make this an enjoyable little book.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Where’s the Digger?

Where’s the Digger?Where's the Digger? by Ingela P. Arrhenius
Published by Candlewick Press on August 16, 2022
ISBN: 153622782X
Pages: 10
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

A reliable hit includes felt flaps that baby can move on their own without fear of ripping pages, and a mirror at the end to try to recognize themselves in their reflection. Where’s the Digger? has all of these elements and pleasing bright colors and blocky illustrations to catch baby’s eye. A worthwhile addition to a burgeoning board book collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Monster Toys

Monster ToysMonster Toys by Daisy Hirst
Published by Candlewick Press on November 15, 2022
ISBN: 1536226300
Pages: 18
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

Monster Toys is a board book about different monsters playing with different toys. The illustrations are all adorable and unique, as well as the names that go with each monster. Some of the toys are not what one would expect, but that adds to the fun. A nice addition to a collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Maisy’s Town

Maisy’s TownMaisy's Town by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press on July 19, 2022
ISBN: 153622443X
Pages: 20
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

A board book full of Lucy Cousin’s charm, with the quintessential font and illustrations needed to let the reader know they are still operating in the Maisy oeuvre. Each page is a new scenario that may be necessary in the reader’s future: a supermarket, a library, a clothing store and more. This is a solid addition to a board book collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Where’s the King?

Where’s the King?Where's the King? by Ingela P. Arrhenius
Published by Candlewick Press on April 4, 2023
ISBN: 1536234079
Pages: 12
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Where’s The King is a peekaboo board book, with felt pieces for baby to remove and find out where the very British answers to the questions are hiding. This feels as though the audience was meant for a UK audience, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good teaching tool for the younger crowd. A fine addition to a board book collection, but be prepared to replace and repair the felt flaps.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

What Matters Most

What Matters MostWhat Matters Most by Emma Dodd
Published by Templar on May 2, 2023
ISBN: 1536229784
Pages: 22
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
five-stars

Emma Dodd’s What Matters Most is a lyrical poem musing on the meaning of life. It uses a parent horse and a foal to illustrate the point, with highly evocative artwork that reflects the poetry on each page. A worthwhile addition to any collection, this is a rhyming read aloud that is sure to leave both reader and listener feeling loved.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Don’t Worry, Little Crab

Don’t Worry, Little CrabDon't Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton
Published by Candlewick Press on April 25, 2023
Pages: 46
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Chris Haughton’s picture-book-turned-board-book will be well-received by parents and their children. Out on an adventure with Very Big Crab, Little Crab scuttles across rocks, tidepools, and seaweed, with excellent use of onomatopoeia. This part of the journey has Little Crab feeling confident, until they reach the edge of the ocean and increasingly large waves begin to head their way. Little Crab feels fearful. Very Big Crab is a great model of a parent who reassures those fears while gently encouraging Little Crab to take small steps toward overcoming that fear. Eventually, they dive beneath a wave and Little Crab finds a whole new world to explore.

With bold illustrations and a recognizable author, this book is sure to circulate and would be a good choice for libraries interested in adding to their board book collection.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

three-stars