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Board Book Reviews
A Drop In the Ocean
Elyon Lio, pub. Post Wave
A very clever concept presented to our youngest readers, encouraging them from the outset to engage with the playful nature of this story. The drop of the title appears as a hole in the page so the reader can look at the detail on the page in front of them whilst guessing where the drop will be taking them next and even having a peek!
The resulting journey is incredibly exciting, travel oceans, rivers, clouds and many more sources of water as the drop encourages readers to explore. Discover that the water the drop is contributing to is just one small part of the water which flows through our lives, through our loves and through everything we share.
Chess for Babies
Levy Rozman, pub. Particular Books
No matter how many times others have tried to teach me I have only ever been able to master the very basics of chess and I can’t guarantee to remember them correctly either! So, when I was offered this board book I immediately said yes. If someone is attempting to teach babies how to play surely it will work on me?
It has! Yes, this book might claim to be for babies but I am certain that what the International Master author means is this is a book for chess babies. The language is simple, encouraging participation with the book and game whilst teaching young children the names of the pieces, how they move around the board and how they can learn to win.
Hello, Sleep!
illus. Ania Simone, pub. Happy Yak
Sleep doesn’t come easy for little ones every day, or it doesn’t come easy at the right time. Some days soothing is needed, others exciting stories. This board book manages to do both. There are soothing images, words and concepts, all of which will encourage children that sleep is good, kind, gentle. There are also interactive elements so they see for themselves.
Getting ready for bed is now so much more fun. Pick up this little book and decide which bed cover you’d like, help to tidy the toys, play in the bath, brush teeth, choose your bedtime companion for cuddles and then close those eyes. All with the help of some simple wheels to turn and a charming story to follow.
Josephine
Chloé Alméras, pub. Gecko Press
Well, this one had my curiosity piqued. Its title is a name and on the front cover is the picture of a giraffe with her head high above the clouds. I wasn’t disappointed by the content, in fact since that first reading it’s been an incredibly popular reading choice. An incredibly simple story is given depth simply by being well written and, in some ways, curious.
Josephine is taking a walk. She pokes her nose in the blue, her hooves in the green and just with these first two pages we have plenty to talk about – who is she; what is the blue; what is the green; what would they feel like? So the story continues, a deceptive simplicity leads to lots of humorous moments and provides a book certain to become a favourite!
Little Explorers Let’s Go. Garage
Little Explorers Let’s Go. Museum
pub. Templar Books
This wonderful series continues, taking young readers on some exciting visits. At the garage there is so much to see and that is before you have located and lifted the flaps! Curious minds will love exploring the roles the people working at the garage engage in, what types of vehicles they work on and what they do to them. Ideal for budding engineers!
Not everyone can make it to a museum in person so a fantastic alternative option is to bring the museum to them in a book. There is just about as much to see and do. People are busy on every page, there are exhibits to see and flaps to be found for lifting. Look for some of the rare items on display, learn about art, science, history and even take a souvenir home!
Sleep Tight, Little One
Johnny Barr, illus. Carmen Saldana, contributor David Hawcock, pub. Kaddo
Wow! What a beautiful book this is. It’s more than a book, it’s also a night light. It will pop up and sit perfectly on any bedside shining its gentle light and providing a charming reminder of its story as little one’s drift off into sweet dreams. Surely there can be no better bedtime board book than one which does so much for readers? I was charmed.
Slumber Wood is home to four little animals all of whom are wide awake. It seems that wise owl might be the only one who can help since she has been able to gather some stardust in her lantern. Will a touch of magic be just what the four little ones need to help them close their eyes? An adorable story that young children will immediately fall in love with.
Slide & Surprise! Pets
Slide & Surprise! Trucks
pub. Priddy Books
Do you have pets at home or do you have children who would love to have pets? Either way they are certain to enjoy discovering some of the variety of animals who can be pets. There’s more for there are not just cats, dogs, birds, fish and more, there are varieties of each to meet and then there are tabs to pull for some additional surprises.
Trucks follows a similar pattern but the trucks of the title are organised into their uses. There are construction trucks, trucks used on the farm, those driven around town, at sea and in the air and then some of the vehicles we simply use for getting around. Learn more about how they look what they are called and then pull the tab to see what they do.
Ten Little Puppies
pub. Priddy Books
This is an adorable book complete with little squishy puppies! Don’t worry no puppies, dogs or other animals come to any harm, there are just ten little faces to squish as you enjoy the story. The (as far as I know) very old ‘there were ten…’ rhyme is put to great use in this book with the ten being puppies who love to be kind.
As we follow the ten little puppies we can pause for some squishy time and also discover how, with every spread, another is going to stay behind. There is a tired puppy, a hungry one and even one who loves hopping around with the unicorns. They are certainly all having plenty of fun! Plus, their friends have a special surprise for them, and for you, at the end.
Uh-Oh Niko: The Farm
Chris Chatterton, pub. Ladybird Books
Sliders, flaps, big sturdy pages with bright, bold colourful illustrations, welcome to the Farm where Niko is looking after the animals. This is the sixth book in the series, each of which introduces young readers to a new idea. There has been Bathtime, Bedtime, The Train, Nursery and Swimming. All intended to soothe worries about everyday activities.
Today Niko is on the farm and that means he is helping to look after all the animals but there are more tasks to do – it’s going to be busy work. Feeding the pigs might mean Niko loses his hat, can you help him find it? What happens when he feeds the hen or on the hillside when he rides the tractor? A fun and engaging interactive board book with a familiar character.
Where is Bear?
Fatima Ordinola, pub. Post Wave
Bear is in this book, somewhere. Surely he is. After all we see him on the cover trying to sneakily hide from the cat! He has decided to play a game with you, a game of hide and seek. He has plenty of different places, all around the house, to choose from for his hiding spots. But how good is bear at staying hidden? You decide.
Bear is big, and he’s brown but he’s trying very hard to stay hidden, to stay away from your curious eyes, you might have to look very hard to find him. You might need to lift some flaps, just in case. Look in the clothes, look under the sofa and don’t forget to check in the fridge, bear could be in any of those places and he needs you to find him!