Format: Board Book

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Old MacDonald Had a FarmOld MacDonald Had a Farm: Sing Along with Me! by Nosy Crow, Yu-Hsuan Huang
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536212180
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

Little is new in this edition of the traditional nursery rhyme “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”.   This long-loved rhyme/song is a basic for any toddler’s book collection making this a recommended purchase for those without a copy.  The original text copyright date is 2015 but it is the illustrations done by Yu-hsuan Huang in 2015 that make it so attractive for little ones and families.  Four farm animals are highlighted in this version with cute pull outs or movable features for each.   Even without white space the illustrations are appealing and colorful for toddlers to enjoy. The Sing Along with Me series offers a barcode which links to the song presented in the board book.  Pages are thick and the overall book is heavy but it should last longer than previous editions of this classic.

Good baby shower or new arrival gift that babies will grow into.  Not a necessary purchase for public libraries unless other editions of the title are in poor shape or missing.

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

four-stars

Little Baby’s Busy Day

Little Baby’s Busy DayLittle Baby's Busy Day: A Finger Wiggle Book by Nick Sharratt, Sally Symes
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536212784
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Several babies are indeed busy but it is probably Mom or caregiver who is tired.  This board book is interactive and very touchable for babies and toddlers.   Older siblings will enjoy reading the book as they use fingers to act out the activity with baby sister or brother.  The children illustrated are diverse and large placed against colorful backgrounds.  Although the level of color is overwhelming to infants the toddler crowd will enjoy the totally recognizable daily events.  Each sentence starts with the same three words which will soon be repeated by the intended audience.

Good gift book but perhaps not a necessary purchase for libraries as the finger holes may become encrusted with food left from baby’s meals.

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

three-stars

Up Cat Down Cat

Up Cat Down CatUp Cat, Down Cat by Steve Light
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536210315
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

Another well done board book is offered to toddlers by Steve light.   Two cats, one black and one white spend their day together doing just the opposite over six two-page illustrations.   As a concept book this is educational while it is busy being cute.    Back ground colors are brightly intense making the board book attractive to toddlers and their adult readers.  The large font size and simple text offers an opportunity for early readers to share with younger siblings.  Youngsters will enjoy searching for the mouse on each page.   They may also wonder why the wet white cat resembles a dog.

Add a copy to public library collections that include board books and gift to young toddlers.  Especially offer a copy to any cat lover with small children.

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

four-stars

B is for Becca

B is for BeccaBecca's Bunch: B Is for Becca: An ABC Book by Jam Media
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 0763690864
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Based on TV series Becca’s Bunch, this is a colorful, fun introduction to a child learning their ABC’s. Colorful characters throughout will. Very young children will want you to read this over and over.

For Preschoolers

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

three-stars

I Love Us: A Book About Family

I Love Us: A Book About FamilyI Love Us: A Book About Family (with mirror and fill-in family tree) by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Luisa Uribe
ISBN: 0358193303
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars


A celebration of all types of families and the bond that holds each one together: Love! This book includes a mirror so YOUR unique family will be reflected in the story. Work together to fill in the bonus family tree with the names of everyone you love.

Families can be big, small, silly, adventurous, loud, or messy, but they all have love in common. I Love Us! is all about the little ways families show they care: breakfasts made, play times shared, hurts soothed, and good times celebrated. With a mirror surprise and fill-in family tree, this special book makes a wonderful gift for children and the people who love them on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day—every day!

This board book is a wonderful celebration of all types of families and people. The simple text celebrates different things there are to love about one’s family — making breakfast, dancing to your own music, hugs, and more. Kids and parents will relate to the images and the events discussed throughout. The illustrations are colorful and detailed without being too busy. This is a great book for one-on-one sharing; my kids loved it at bed time. Recommended for babies and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

A Home for Goddesses and Dogs

A Home for Goddesses and DogsA Home for Goddesses and Dogs by Connor, Leslie
Published by Groundwood Books, HarperCollins, Katherine Tegen Books on February 25, 2020
ISBN: 006279678X
Pages: 385
Genres: Non-Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Lydia’s mom died of cancer recently. The 2 were very close and Lydia has so many memories, Especially of her mom being honest with Lydia about her disease and their creation of goddesses to celebrate things in their lives. Now she is living with her Aunt Brat and her wife Eileen, both have made her feel welcome but Lydia wants to make sure that she does everything right. The problem is the dog they adopt and want Lydia to love too, is a hand full and a dog that most people would find hard to love. There is humor in this story and tearful moments as well. The adopted dog (Guffer) is far from perfect, he is really awful and challenging, a dog that most people would not keep. But the way this new family works at that, their passions, humor and love, shine through to make things work. One of the best parts is the relationship between Lydia’s two aunts. It isn’t always perfect and there are arguments but the love they have for each other (and Eileen’s humor) keep the couple, and eventually Lydia and Guffer loved and grounded. Terrific book. Ages 9 and up. Cream.

Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

Bathtime with Ducky Duckling

Bathtime with Ducky DucklingBathtime with Ducky Duckling by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 1536209651
Pages: 8
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book, Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

It's just ducky! In a waterproof format, this irresistible Lucy Cousins character makes a splash at bath time, high-chair time, or anytime.
Join Ducky Duckling for an adventure in the pond! Her brilliantly colored friends are all there -- ducks, fish, and leaping frogs. Soft, squishy, and sturdy, this waterproof, wipe-clean book is perfect for the littlest readers, whether in the bathtub, at the table, or on the go.

Bathtime with Ducky Duckling is a truly immersible book that will make bath time more fun for toddlers.  The large illustrations are from the original full format book and serve the intended audience well.   This librarian wishes there was some white space on each page making the illustrations more visible for babies.   The book is made of all new materials which is good as it certainly will become a chew toy.

Older siblings will enjoy reading aloud about Ducky Duckling’s antics to their smaller siblings.   This is a cute addition to any baby shower basket but not recommended for public libraries as it will be used in the bath or play pool.

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

four-stars

Hello, Dinosaurs!

Hello, Dinosaurs!Hello, Dinosaurs! by Sam Boughton
Published by Templar Books on September 17th 2019
ISBN: 1536208094
Pages: 16
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Hello, Dinosaurs! is a factual dinosaur book for the younger set. Each page introduces a dinosaur, provides a few facts and has a flap or two to lift for more facts. It’s good for basic information like the difference between herbivores and carnivores and uses doodles of vehicles to compare traits like size and weight. This book is probably better to read one on one instead of to a group as the flaps are a little awkward.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Where’s the Narwhal?

Where’s the Narwhal?Where's the Narwhal? by Ingela P. Arrhenius
Published by Nosy Crow on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 1536209503
Pages: 10
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

Where’s is the turtle? Here it is! Where’s is the Narwhal? Here it is! This colorful board book with felt flaps will engage children with sea creatures under the bright colored flaps. The flaps should last longer that the paper flaps and give babies and toddlers a soft texture to feel. These series of books end with a mirror for little ones to see themselves. Toddlers will have these memorized and it will give them great joy.

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Librarian, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner   ME

four-stars

Thank You, Mr. Panda

Thank You, Mr. PandaThank You, Mr. Panda: A Board Book by Steve Antony
Published by Scholastic Press on December 26, 2019
ISBN: 1338312766
Pages: 26
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
three-stars

Thank you, Mr. Panda is appealing to all of Antony’s young fans in the larger hardcover edition.  As a board book however, it is somewhat confusing for the baby and toddler audience.  The black, white and yellow color choices are perfect for the younger children and like all the previous books the illustrations are delightful.   Some of the illustrations lose their charity in the small format.  This reader finds the gift sequence to be a problem especially the underwear that does not fit.  Although the message is right on for pre-K and K children little ones may be challenged by the content.

Public libraries are better served with the full size picture book.

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

three-stars