babies

A Couple of Fall Board Books

| Tasha

go baby go

Go Baby Go! by Marilyn Janovitz

As baby gets fussy, they head out to the garden where baby is distracted by all sorts of things.  The bubbles going pop, pop, pop.  The blocks tumbling down and clickity clacking.  There are mud pies, water from the hose, even treats to munch.  Then everything gets quiet as baby falls asleep.

This charmer of the picture book has a jaunty rhythm mixed with plenty of repetition to catch the attention of very small children.  Everything that happens here is what a child would find in their own backyard, making the book all the more interesting to children who will see themselves in it.

scariest thing in the castle

I’m the Scariest Thing in the Castle by Kevin Sherry

This board book has the same colorful, bold artwork as Sherry’s previous picture books.  Here his creature is a merry bat who declares himself scarier than all of the other monsters in the haunted castle.  And he does manage to play pranks and frighten all of the others, until the lights go out. 

This jolly Halloween board book will appeal to small children with its bright colors, humor and the not-very-scary tone.

Review: Dogs Don’t Eat Jam and Other Things Big Kids Know by Sarah Tsiang

| Tasha

dogs dont eat jam

Dogs Don’t Eat Jam and Other Things Big Kids Know by Sarah Tsiang, illustrated by Qin Leng

Here in this cheerful picture book, an older sister explains to her new baby brother that he has a lot to learn.  She covers things like the potty, learning to walk, and that things fall down (a lot).  She also covers other things that will delight, like the fact the baby has already done something amazing: made her a big sister.  The book is filled with small encouragements and nothing negative towards the baby coming into the family and no jealousy.  Instead it is a celebration of a new baby, the growth that he will see, and the warm adoration of an older sibling.

Tsiang’s writing here is joyful, filled with the small moments that create a growing baby, the milestones and those smaller times that are too often ignored.  She writes with a gentle tone that suits the subject beautifully, tying all of the moments together into one wise older sister’s encouragement for a new baby.

Leng’s illustrations have a great sense of humor and whimsy.  The lines are loose and flowing, filled with bright colors and plenty of white space as well.  

There are so many books about new babies, but this one is definitely worth looking at.  The text and illustrations combine into a noteworthy package that will delight.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from copy received from Annick Press.

Review: Big Brothers Don’t Take Naps by Louise Borden

| Tasha

big brothers dont take naps

Big Brothers Don’t Take Naps by Louise Borden, illustrated by Emma Dodd

Nicholas adores his older brother, James.  He follows him everywhere and happily James includes him too.  James can write his own name (as well as Nicholas’), he goes to school, but most importantly, James doesn’t have to take naps!  James can use the phone all by himself, he helps Nicholas cross the road, and can read books too.  James shows Nicholas how to be a great big brother, how to share, and how to do things together.  That includes working together to help pick out a name for their new baby sister.  Which makes Nicholas a big brother too!

Borden writes with a gentleness combined with enthusiasm.  This is a book that captures a very special relationship and shows new siblings a book where everyone is excited by the new baby coming.  James may be a bit too ideal of an older sibling, since there is no negativity shown in this book at all.  But those parents looking for a book that shows siblings sharing and in a loving relationship will find a lot to praise here.

Dodd’s digital illustrations are bright colored and show the brothers relationships vividly.  The large expanses of colors are only outshone by the boys themselves with their bright cheeks and activity. 

A very positive look at siblings and new babies, this book definitely is a great pick for new big brothers and sisters.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from library copy.

Also reviewed by:

Board Book Reviews–Hello Friends Series by Emma Quay

| Tasha

sleep-tight-a-book-about-bedtime letsplayhouse 

puddlejumping yummy-ice-cream-a-book-about-sharing

Good Night, Sleep Tight by Emma Quay and Anna Walker

Let’s Play House by Emma Quay and Anna Walker

Puddle Jumping by Emma Quay and Anna Walker

Yummy Ice Cream by Emma Quay and Anna Walker

Four new board books welcome the youngest readers into a group of three friends.  There is Panda, Sheep and Owl, who are all different, enjoy different things, but manage to be the best of friends despite that.  The series has warm illustrations that are done with a mix of paint and fabric.  This lends a real richness and friendliness to them.  The text of the books is brief, humorous and engaging.  These are stories that are simple and great fun.

Good Night, Sleep Tight is a bedtime story.  The three friends decide to go camping in their sleeping bags.  They all settle in, but both Owl and Sheep are uncomfortable.  Only Panda is cozy, so the other two decide to join Panda in the one sleeping bag.

Let’s Play House has the friends building a play house together out of a blanket and some chairs.  But the house doesn’t work out so well, especially after Panda stands up to leave, taking the roof with him.  But all is not lost, as a new game is invented.

Puddle Jumping is about bravery.  Owl and Panda have great fun jumping over a big puddle the three friends discover.  But Sheep is scared to try, scared she will fall on her bottom and get hurt.  Eventually Sheep does try to jump the puddle, and she ends up having a lot of fun in an unexpected way.

Yummy Ice Cream is about sharing.  Sheep and Panda both have ice cream cones that are very yummy.  But Owl doesn’t have any.  The three friends find a very inventive way of making two ice cream cones into more.

As you can see, children will recognize their own play and activities in these books.  These are modern, stylish board books for the youngest of children.  Appropriate for ages 1-3.

Reviewed from copies received from Penguin Books.

Book Reviews–Bunches of Board Books–The Second Bunch

| Tasha

busyelephants

Busy Elephants by John Schindel and Martin Harvey

The latest in the Busy Book series from Tricycle Press, this book features wonderfully crisp and clear photos of elephants.  Nicely, the photographs are also dynamic with elephants of different sizes interacting, running, splashing and blowing.  Get this into the hands of the smallest animal lovers.

grandmagigglepie

Grandma Calls Me Gigglepie by J. D. Lester, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata

A third board book from the pair who gave us Mommy Calls Me Monkeypants and Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug.  The book moves through human and animal grandparents interacting with their grandchild and calling them a variety of suitable endearments.  This is an adorable concept that continues to work well due to the sweet illustrations and sentiments inside.

littlecomposter

The Little Composter by Jan Gerardi

This lift-the-flap board book not only promotes composting but has an intriguing premise where the flaps conceal the remains of the eaten food.  A jaunty rhyme moves the book forward to the end where the worms start to do their work and the garden work begins.

All books reviewed from copies received from Random House.

Book Reviews–Bunches of Board Books- The First Bunch

| Tasha

onetwobuckle

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Salina Yoon

Yoon take the traditional rhyme and enlivens it with strong graphical images.  The holes in the pages let readers look through either way, making turning pages a delight as you see different ways to look at the same thing.  The rhyme and interesting illustrations make this an appealing choice.

Reviewed from copy received from Random House.

rockettown

Rocket Town by Bob Logan

A board book filled with rockets and enough humor to keep adults entertained as well.  The real treat here are the illustrations which have a great 60s vintage vibe that is playful and welcome.  Logan also plays with color as the book pages turn.  If you have a child into trucks and trains, give rockets a try!

Reviewed from copy received from Sourcebooks.

whosintheforest

Who’s in the Forest? by Phillis Gershator, illustrated by Jill McDonald

Peek through the holes in the pages to see who you can see in the forest.  The mixed media collage illustrations are whimsical and charming.  From the various patterns that make up leaves and sky to the smaller details of acorn caps and bird wings, there is so much for the eye to look at here.  The rhyming text combined with the holes in the pages will appeal to little ones.

Reviewed from library copy.

Book Reviews–Clackers Board Books

| Tasha

monkeyclacker clackercroc

Clackers: Monkey by Luana Rinaldo

Clackers: Crocodile by Luana Rinaldo

Looking for a great book to give to a new baby?  Take a look at Clackers.  They are board books with super thick pages (could I even suggest that the foam core of the pages would be ideal for little teethers?) Plus they have a handle.  If shaken by the handle, the books make a clacking noise as the pages bounce together.  So these are both books and toys.

Each book has a simple story.  Monkey’s story is about the noises Monkey hears as he swings through the jungles.  The story is filled with enough sounds to make it very fun for little ones.  Crocodile has an equally appealing story with a peek-a-boo theme as Crocodile searches for her mother.  The art of the books is simple and colorful, just right for the audience.

A pair of adorable, fun and functional books for the smallest of readers, these are sure to be thrown, chewed, and shaken by little hands.  Appropriate for infants through toddlers.

Reviewed from copies received from Macmillan Publishers.

Also reviewed by

Cinnamon Baby

| Tasha

cinnamonbaby

Cinnamon Baby by Nicola Winstanley, illustrated by Janice Nadeau

Miriam was a baker who had her own little bakery where she made wonderful breads.  She always saved the cinnamon bread for last because it was her favorite.  As she made the bread, she sang the songs of her childhood, weaving them with the scent of cinnamon in the air.  Then one day a young man named Sebastian bought some cinnamon bread and continued to by a loaf every day for a year.  Finally, he proposed to Miriam and she said yes.  Soon a baby was on the way, but when the baby arrived it cried and cried and cried.  Nothing would settle the baby down until Miriam got a sudden idea  and headed for the bakery with her family.  She made every kind of bread with the cinnamon bread saved for last.  And what do you think happened when her voice mixed with the cinnamon and sugar in the air?

This modern magical story is simply delicious.  Winstanley’s writing is gentle and strolling, building towards the story and throughout until it is neatly tied together by the end.  There is a sense of ease, of simplicity and of love throughout the entire book that is very comforting and warm. 

Nadeau’s illustrations have a modern feel to them with their bright mix of yellows and pinks against browns and grays.  At the same time, they feel timeless with the people riding bicycles, pushing prams, and the motif of curling wrought iron. 

This sweet story has the spice of cinnamon to keep it interesting and the warmth of bread baking to keep it filling.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Kids Can Press.

Pecan Pie Baby: Warm and Sweet

| Tasha

pecan-pie-baby-300x300

Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Gia is not looking forward to the new baby coming.  In fact, she is sick and tired of hearing about the “ding-dang baby” all the time.  That baby is copying her and her mother’s love for pecan pie.  It’s going to take all of her old outgrown clothes.  So when Gia is told that the baby will come with the first snow of the year, she wishes a secret wish for no snow at all.  Her friends at school want to talk about the baby coming just like her aunties, who don’t have the time anymore to play tea party with Gia.  Finally, Gia has had enough and yells “I’m so sick of that ding-dang baby!” at Thanksgiving dinner.  She is sent to her room and when her mother comes up to talk with her, Gia finds out that her mother too will miss all of their special times alone together. 

Woodson’s writing skills translate finely into the picture book format.  She has created a very readable, very engaging book for all of the new siblings out there.  The depth of Gia’s feelings are an important piece of the story as are her worries about her entire life changing because of this interloper.  Nicely, Woodson does not feel a need to “fix” Gia’s feelings, instead she validates them and allows her the anger and concern.  In fact, the lack of a baby at the end and the resolution of Gia’s feelings is not here.  That makes it a much more powerful book.  Though snow has begun to fall as the book closes.

Blackall’s art is warm and rich, depicting a loving relationship between mother and daughter.  This relationship is at the heart of the book and is celebrated on almost every page.  Additionally, the multicultural children and adults make for a book that has a very inclusive feel to it.  

A warm and lovely book, this is an honest look at the conflicting feelings of expecting a new sibling.  Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Putnam.

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