Format: Board Book

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: Sound Book

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: Sound BookWe're Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury, Michael Rosen
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) ISBN: 1406357383
Genres: Adventure
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
one-star

This variation of a wonderful classic just does not reach expectations.   The illustrations almost remain unchanged but a considerable amount of story line is truncated. This reviewer prefers the full-length book as much content and many illustrations are  lost in the press-and-listen edition.   About the sound, it did work the first time but when this reader went through a second time, the sound was quieter.

Some may be tempted to purchase for baby gifts but it is recommended to obtain the full-length version. The size is nice for little hands, but due to the sound box this is a heavy book for little ones.

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

one-star

Will Giraffe Laugh?

Will Giraffe Laugh?Will Giraffe Laugh? by Hilary Leung
Published by Cartwheel Books on January 29, 2019
ISBN: 1338215612
Pages: 38
Genres: Humor
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

An unhappy giraffe needs his friends to cheer him up but it is not working.   This board book uses humor and adorable characters to deal with emotions on a level that toddlers will understand.  Most interactions fail to produce the desired reaction making all the animals sad; their sadness is visible in their facial expressions.  The majority of the background colors set off the illustrations in an appealing way.

Will Giraffe Laugh?  Is a good title to help young children understand grumpy feelings and a bad day.  During our current stay at home pandemic this book would be very useful in almost any home with children.    A recommended title for day care centers and should be considered in public libraries where board book collections are large.

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

four-stars

Who’s Hiding in the Woods

Who’s Hiding in the WoodsWho's Hiding in the Woods? by Katharine McEwen
Published by Nosy Crow on December 9, 2019
ISBN: 1536208205
Pages: 10
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a board book loaded with flaps and information. Each page is set in a different season, and finally at night, and each ends with the question, “Who’s hiding here?” Each page has 5 flaps on it, and each flap has information about an animal in the appropriate season. For really young readers, the flap information would be too much, but they’ll love lifting all the flaps and seeing the animals hiding underneath. The illustrations are collage style, colorful, and not too busy so as too distract. There are lots of high contrasting colors which appeal to babies. Overall, this is a solid board book, and I’d recommend it for babies and toddlers.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Where’s the Narwhal?

Where’s the Narwhal?Where's the Narwhal? by Ingela P. Arrhenius
Published by Nosy Crow ISBN: 1536209503
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

All the typical instant appeal items are included in this board book.   The cover is soft and brightly colored featuring an adorable illustration of the star character.  Arrhenius has given this narwhal a shinny look complete with a rainbow horn.   The text is a typical hide and seek where sea creatures are covered with felt cut in ocean designs.  Because of the large font size older siblings will easily be able to read this book to smaller children. Pre-schoolers and toddlers are sure to be delighted by the digital designed creatures as they learn to identify various animals.   Simple and attractive is a great paring for a first book and “Where’s the Narwhal” comes complete with a mirror on the last page.

Great baby gift for ocean loving families and good for public libraries that collect board books. The vinyl cover will clean easily and the soft corners are perfect for babies who are teething.

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

four-stars

Tweet! Tweet!

Tweet! Tweet!Tweet! Tweet! by Sebastien Braun
Published by Nosy Crow on June 4, 2019
ISBN: 1536205567
Pages: 10
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

This addition to the Can You Say It. TOO? series will please the intended audience. Ten colorful pages depict the outdoor environment of a neighborhood or park where children see small animals. Little ones will love the dog, squirrels and various birds but may wonder about the last page. Certainly, many babies and toddlers have never seen a peacock making a trip to the zoo necessary.  The flaps are made of heavy paper and will withstand lots of turning, pulling, and biting. Older siblings and adults will enjoy helping toddlers find and name all the animals on each page.

This is a good choice for baby gifts or first birthday. Libraries in suburban communities will want to add this to their board book collection.

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

four-stars

Forever; I Love You Forever

Forever; I Love You ForeverForever by Emma Dodd
Published by Templar Books on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1536208124
Pages: 22
Genres: Animals
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

Forever, I love you forever.

This specific Emma Dodd book is prefect for the current time in history as the world deals with the covid 19 epidemic.   Dodd offers short statements of loving and reassuring  truths that are intended to sooth bear cubs and little humans regardless of their concern or fear.   Like all her previous animal books, the illustrations are lovely in their simplicity and the colors are surprising, especially in the night sky.  Though we do not know if this is a male or female adult bear the loving assurance of a parent is clear.

The entire collection of Dobb’s work is perfect as baby shower gifts, and early birthday gifts.  All humans need to hear they are loved and that their parents are available.  I only wish it was true for all little ones.  Grandparents find this series especially fetching.

Add this to public libraries, allow the corners to be chewed and the covers  drooled upon.

four-stars

Everything you

Everything youEverything You by Elizabeth McPike, Jay Fleck
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers on December 10, 2019
ISBN: 0374311935
Pages: 32
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

This board book is really sweet. It begins waiting for baby’s arrival then goes through many wonderful things that baby brings to life and the world. The brightly colorful and contrasting illustrations will appeal to even the youngest babies. Paired with rhyming text, they depict various animal families enjoying their baby. A feel good book for families to share with the littlest readers — best for babies through Pre-K.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

A Unicorn Named Sparkle’s First Christmas

A Unicorn Named Sparkle’s First ChristmasA Unicorn Named Sparkle's First Christmas by Amy Young
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on August 20, 2019
ISBN: 0374312109
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
two-stars

This  board book features A little girl named Lucy and her best friend Sparkle the Unicorn, Celebrating Christmas. The overall message of the book is that Christmas should not be just about getting presents, but should be a time to enjoy time spent with friends and family. For a board book I found this to be very wordy and the delivery of the message could’ve been clearer. I think this book would do well in a Kindergarten classroom during the holidays, otherwise I wouldn’t bother adding it to a collection.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

two-stars

Splish, Splash, Ducky!

Splish, Splash, Ducky!Splish, Splash, Ducky! by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press on February 5, 2019
ISBN: 1536200042
Pages: 28
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

Advertised for ages 2-3

This board book is very cute and fun to read.  Explore with baby ducky as he ventures out in the rain to visit all his pond friends.

This book is very sweet for parents to read to their youngsters, and the children will quickly begin to repeat the “Quack, quack, quack” after each page.  Drawings are very bright, colorful and simple.

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

four-stars

Where’s the Duck

Where’s the DuckWhere's the Duck? by Ingela P. Arrhenius
Published by Nosy Crow on March 12, 2019
ISBN: 153620577X
Pages: 10
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

A series of park animals are hiding behind brightly colored flaps made of felt. A mirror on the final page makes for a fun ending as it asks “Where Are You too? there you are!”. A fun book that little ones will surely enjoy and the cloth flaps have lasted longer with children.

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

four-stars