Format: Board Book

A B C Cats

A B C CatsABC Cats: An Alpha-Cat Book by Isabella Kung, Lesléa Newman
Published by Candlewick on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 1536209945
Pages: 26
Genres: Animals, Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

This is the perfect companion board book to Newman’s 1 2 3 Cats.  The talented author/illustrator team have created another enticing book for toddlers and those who read aloud to the younger set.  Each page reveals one adorable cat lounging or playing on a letter in the alphabet.  Individual cats may be adored with jewels, be playing with yarn or in one case swimming.  While unique in size and breed the cats each enjoy their special letter.   The background is white while the letters are large and painted using watercolors in a variety of colors.

As attractive as this board book is the words seem to be somewhat of a stretch for the toddler set.  The rhyme and text will appeal to pre-K children who find words compelling.  Add this to public libraries where board books are collected and gift to nursery and day care programs.   Like 1 2 3 Cats, this title is a good baby shower or first birthday gift.

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

four-stars

1 2 3 Cats

1 2 3 Cats1 2 3 Cats: A Cat Counting Book by Isabella Kung, Lesléa Newman
Published by Candlewick Press on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 1536209953
Pages: 26
Genres: Animals, Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
five-stars

 

Perfect board book that is sure to find its way into public library collections as well as be gifted as a baby present.  1 2 3 Cats is presented in the perfect size for toddler hands.  The dark shades of the cats and the amount of white space make the board book just right for babies to focus on the illustrations.  Readers, both adult and child will appreciate the rhyming text and simple concepts.  Best of all are the mannerisms of individual cats as they play and interact.  The numbers are large and bold while the background is minimal.

Be sure to include this title where board books are collected and use for baby story times.   This playful rhyming board book is sure to be a success with all audiences.  Cat owners will be on the lookout for a look alike to their own cat while they enjoy a baker’s dozen of the cuddly creatures.

 

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

Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Maisy’s Moon Mission

Maisy’s Moon MissionMaisy's Moon Mission: Push, Slide, and Play! by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press on February 16, 2021
ISBN: 1536215082
Pages: 10
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

“Maisy’s Moon Mission” is a board book addition to Lucy Cousins’ very successful Maisy the Mouse series. Maisy becomes an astronaut and travels to the moon in this book with tabs to slide and wheels to turn. With help from the reader, Maisy’s rocket blasts off! Her trip to the moon and back, while short (only about 8 pages), is filled with brightly colored illustrations and lots of activity in each scene. There are no flaps to lift; only pull tabs and wheels to turn, so this book should last a bit longer than most “lift-the-flap” books in your library collection.

Aimed at kids age birth to three, “Maisy’s Moon Mission” is a good purchase for your board book collection, or for any young child who particularly likes space and interactive books.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars

Happy Birthday, Maisy!

Happy Birthday, Maisy!Happy Birthday, Maisy: Mini Edition (Maisy) by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick on January 26, 2004
ISBN: 0763624543
Pages: 14
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
five-stars
Can you believe that Maisy is 30?? This mini-edition, lift-the-flap and pull-tab book for little hands celebrates her birthday in typical Maisy style. If you’re a Maisy fan, what’s not to love?

Purchase for all your little ones!!!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

Hello, Whale

Hello, WhaleHello, Mr Whale! by Sam Boughton
Published by Templar Books on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 1536215414
Pages: 16
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars
This is a board book full of flaps and lots of information about whales. The concept is a good one, but the execution misses the mark. There is way too much text, and the layout is way too busy for the board book format. The information is good. The illustrations are very colorful, high contrast, and busy. They are digitally rendered to look like watercolor, and the contrasting colors along with all the minute details will keep some readers engaged. This would be a good board book for an older reader — someone at least 3 with a longer attention span.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Hello, Bear

Hello, BearHello, Bear! by Sam Boughton
Published by Templar Books on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 1536215406
Pages: 16
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars
This is a board book full of flaps and lots of information about bears. The concept is a good one, but the execution misses the mark. There is way too much text, and the layout is way too busy for the board book format. The information is good. The illustrations are very colorful, high contrast, and busy. They are digitally rendered to look like watercolor, and the contrasting colors along with all the minute details will keep some readers engaged. This would be a good board book for an older reader — someone at least 3 with a longer attention span.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Little Blue Truck’s Valentine

Little Blue Truck’s ValentineLittle Blue Truck's Valentine by Alice Schertle, Jill McElmurry
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on December 8, 2020
ISBN: 0358272440
Pages: 20
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars
Ever popular Little Blue Truck is back for another installment. This is a board book that follows Blue as he delivers valentine cards to all the animals in the village. All the usual characters are represented, and the story has the usual theme of friendship and kindness. The illustrations are in line with previous Little Blue Truck books and add color and detail to the story. Recommended for wide purchase and for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton,Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Baby Shark! Based on the World’s Catchiest Song

Baby Shark! Based on the World’s Catchiest SongBaby Shark! by Stevie Lewis
Published by Henry Holt & Company on January 7, 2020
ISBN: 1250263182
Pages: 24
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars
Although there are many board books about sharks (and this song) Stevie Lewis’  is the most appealing.   Adults who sing the song will get a huge positive response from their toddler audience.  Large eyes on children and sharks alike draws the reader’s attention to the interaction between children and animal. The use of color behind the glass is inspired as each shark has its own color and the water vegetation is vibrant.

This reader appreciates that the emphasis is on the animals; the aquarium tank is unadorned on the exterior and the children wear solid colored clothing bringing the eye to the sharks and their habitat.

Add this to public libraries that collect board books and place on personal gift list for favorite toddlers.

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

four-stars

I Love Genetics

I Love GeneticsI Love Genetics: Explore with sliders, lift-the-flaps, a wheel, and more! by Allison Wortche, Steve Mack
ISBN: 0358169011
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars
This board book is an early introduction to the vast and fascinating world of genetics. How tall will you be? Why do some cats have short hair and others are super fluffy? Do you like broccoli? These are just some of the questions asked in the book. The only answer given is that we’re made of cells and our cells have genes. This level of information is appropriate for young readers. The illustrations are cartoonish and the flaps will keep young readers engaged and interacting. If you read this to slightly older kids, be prepared for bigger questions about what genes are and how they function because those questions just aren’t answered in the text. Recommended for readers 2 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Creature Features

Creature FeaturesCreature Features by Natasha Durley
ISBN: 1536210439
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars
Introduces children to an assortment of common and strange animals. “Most of the time, they are grouped into big families, like all the birds together and all the fish together. But there are other ways you can group them—like those with big noses and those who have antlers!” There are eleven categories of anatomical adaptations illustrated with about 25 different species per physical trait presented throughout the book. (Good thing that it is a large 9” x 12” format.) Slight text prompts reader to look for a specific animal, e.g. “Which animal also has webbed feet?” I predict 3-year-olds will find this book engaging and their caregivers will find it grueling.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars