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Board Book Reviews
Autumn Pops Up!
Aurore Petit, pub. Phaidon
How do you begin to explain seasons to very young children? The best way I know of is with books and by talking to them about them when out and about, pointing out the changing features in nature which tell us the seasons have changed. Of course if this latter has been introduced with books children will have an even better understanding.
These pop up books are an absolute delight. Bold and colourful are the first things you will notice, the colours pop as do some of the internal elements. Autumn calls for soul, brings cloudy skies and finds leaves dropping off trees, all these and more are also ready to pop out and surprise readers! When it comes to summer, the ideal book for right now, once more the bold colours are bright – the two tone of yellow and pink are a vibrant contrast that really works! Popping up from the pages here are a camper van, some sunscreen and even a pair of feet! Curious? Good! Find yourself a copy of these wonderful little board books and hope, along with me, that we will be treated to Spring and Winter before long.
Summer Pops Up!
The Bug Book
Becky Davies, illus. Denis Angelov, pub. Little Tiger
From the very start, from the front cover, these books encourage little hands to engage and interact. You see the covers have a hole cut out of them, not just any hole but, in the case of The Bug Book, the wings of a ladybird and on The Dino Book a fearsome set of jaws! These both move, as the series suggests, readers can peek, pull, explore and they can start with the cover.
What will you find inside? Flaps to lift, questions to answer and facts to learn. Do you know what hides under leaves? It’s a type of bug and you should, ideally guess then lift the flaps for a peek. That delight is followed by a wheel to turn so readers can explore a rainbow of bugs – how wonderful! The wonderful and sometimes surprising elements continue as does the sense of discovery. When it comes to those dinos, well, you can help them stomp their enormous feet and then maybe you’d like to discover who is snuggling helping the eggs to hatch. With lots of elements to peek under, parts of dinosaurs that you can safely touch and new things to learn these books will keep little readers occupied for hours.
The Dino Book
Dogs Get Dressed: Tuck Me In Story
Naomi Tipping, pub. Little Simon
A brand new series offering so much fun. This unique new format and style of boardbook for little fingers is going to be a success, I can feel it! Why? Well for starters each book comes with a thick and study cardboard character – in the case of this pair a selection of adorable dogs and cats. They are in the books to be taken out and then put back in as the story progresses, little readers are encouraged to engage with the story progression. When you open the book there are dogs or cats slotted into each page but why not read the story first with them in place then take them all out and switch it all up.
What outfits should the different dogs be wearing, what do you think suits each of them best, how would you say they have done when choosing the right clothes for a cold and wet day or a dancing day? Maybe it’s a challenge to get out of the door and a helping hand is needed with a zip or even those shoes? And what happens when only a onesie will do.
As for the cats well, perhaps you could help with tidying up toys and getting into jim-jams or wiping faces after a messy meal? Will there be lots and lots of bubbles when you run the bath and of course we mustn’t forget story time, make sure to curl up, get cosy and listen. When it’s finally time for bed there’s also time for one more cuddle!
Night, Night Cats: Tuck Me In Story
Jemima Puddleduck’s Farmyard Muddle
Rebecca Atkinson, illus. Susie Hammer, pub. Happy Yak
Jemima Puddleduck’s popularity hasn’t waned since she first appeared in stories of Peter Rabbit, as created by Beatrix Potter over one hundred years ago. She hasn’t aged either which is singularly charming. Now very young readers can enjoy her adventures too.
Wherever Jemima Puddleduck is, there is certain to be something fun and exciting happening and today Peter Rabbit is visiting her on the farm. What he doesn’t know until he arrives, what becomes incredibly exciting whilst he’s there, is that Jemima Puddleduck is nesting and before long her ducklings will be hatching! Jemima is proud to show Peter Rabbit her eggs but when she does and sees that one is missing he jumps into action and helps her look for the egg. Can they find it before it’s too late or is there another surprise waiting for them all? With updated and contemporary illustrations, the classic characters come to life with a story that will enchant readers.
Jungle Jumble
Magda Azab, pub. Post Wave Children’s Books
I’ve never been to a jungle but I would love too, they look so wonderful, vast, green, plants so tall you might not be able to see the tops of them, and the animals – such a wide variety and so many bright colours. I think the jungle looks incredibly exciting and this boardbook means certain young readers will feel the same.
Now, young readers may not know what animals, fruits, plants and more they would typically find in the jungle, they may not realise how dense the plants are but they are about to discover that looking very carefully there are clues. Hidden among the plants there are secret flaps to be lifted, each one will hopefully help them answer a question and set the jungle straight about who and what should be in it! There are some mysterious footprints in the mud to find the owner of; a caterpillar hiding among bright butterflies and someone who really shouldn’t be there. Become detective, learn about the jungle and enjoy a slightly topsy-turvy adventure filled with giggles.
Moodies: Tasty Little Feelings
Lauren Martin, pub. Little Gestalten
Did you know that feelings can have feelings? They can even have taste, colour and flavour. After delving in to this fascinating little boardbook which, I can assure you, is perfectly suited to small readers, you can help them discover and learn more about feelings.
Feelings can be fun – laughter for example, happiness too. Feelings can also be difficult – sadness and anger are probably the hardest. That is why, in this adorable little book you will discover a jelly who is shy, a soda who is perhaps a little overexcited, some exploding ketchup and a very proud cupcake – well his cherry is charming! Ten different emotions are given a face, a situation and a personality with cute illustrations and minimal words. The book is incredibly effective, straightforward and would be an excellent starting point for any adult wanting to help children understand feelings and emotions.
My Busy Toolbox
Design Eye, pub. Quarto
Little hands will be busy for hours once they are given their busy toolbox and the best thing, they really shouldn’t be able to hurt themselves if they accidentally hit a finger with the hammer! With plenty to look at and learn how to use they will have fun discovering how to do all manner of little DIY jobs.
With a helpful pair of hands occupied and learning all about coordination before they go to school you might even find some time to do some real DIY but be warned this book might encourage little ones to offer words of advice. After all they will be learning by doing, engaging in role-play learning to trace and count, build, fix and explore.
My Very First Opposites with The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Eric Carle, pub. Puffin Books
Filled with the instantly recognisable art style of Eric Carle, one that has been filling the imaginations of children for generations, this pair of books are the ideal introduction to some first learning skills for young children. Help them discover the wonder of shapes as they learn about the different types and also to recognise what opposites are. Every step of the way The Very Hungry Caterpillar will be there to help, just lift the flaps to see what he has to show you (before it’s all gone!)
The basket is full, The Very Hungry Caterpillar can be seen peeking out from, is that a doughnut? Quick, lift the flap or he might have eaten it and then what will be left? From full to empty we discover big and small, night and day and a couple more important opposites which will help children along on their learning journey. Then there are those shapes which need learning. How do you recognise a square? Well, if you lift the flap and look behind the present you’ll see a perfect example. Triangle, circle, semi-circle and rectangle are all here too, waiting for you to discover what The Very Hungry Caterpillar is doing behind their flaps to help you learn.
My Very First Shapes with The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Nik-Nak Bunny: Footballer
Carys Bexington, illus. Jenny Wren, pub. Little Simon
Have you met Nik-Nak Bunny? You might have met her when she was something else, doing something else – she could be the doctor, train driver or even astronaut. In this story she is a footballer. She is sharing with very young readers the joy of the imagination which takes her off on all sorts of wonderful and exciting adventures.
Starting from the front cover you can help Nik-Nak bunny improve her football skills, there is a wheel on the side, as there is on every page. With this first one help her learn how to kick the ball – are you good at it? If you then open the book there is a magic wand and magician’s hat to test out too then it’s off to play a match and Nik-Nak has her whole team with her too. Warm-ups are followed by choosing the right kit, cheering the team on as they play, encouraging them to do their best and celebrating once the game is over. After all that it’s time to go home for a nice rest and to get ready for Nik-Nak’s next adventures.
Now I See Spring
Mac Barnett, illus. Jon Klassen, pub. Walker Books
The partnership of author Mac Barnett and illustrator Jon Klassen is producing books that are without doubt going to become classics. Their style is easily identifiable, the illustrations are unique and decisive whilst the text mirrors that perfectly. In this series, covering all four of the seasons, children can familiarise themselves with the content as well as style for they will certainly find more books by both when they progress to picturebooks. Adults will enjoy the simplicity they will find in these books too.
Each book contains the same elements, in the same order. There is the house, the tree, the garden, me, some birds, a treat (which is always sweet), the farm, the sky, the wise old cat, something red and the perfect hat. Are any of the seasons your favourite time of year or do you love them all? What do you think the author and illustrator love the most? And why is the content of each book the same, now that is where the genius of this pair of creators come in. The content might be identical, the words the same but it is in the pictures we see how very different every season is. A fantastic talking point, these books could be read independently of one another or laid out and regarded concurrently allowing for a discussion of the seasons. Absolutely wonderful.
Now I See Summer
Now I See Winter
Now I See Autumn
Peggy Goes Gardening
Tonka Uzu, pub. Post Wave Children’s Books
Peggy Went Gardening is a picturebook, one that could be shared or enjoyed by readers old enough to hold it and read it. Now she is back with us in boardbook format which means the youngest of our readers can enjoy her story and the wonders of gardening. They can also discover just how sturdy a book can be!
Peggy loves to learn about the world around her and by exploring the garden with mum she can bring that wonder into your home for you to enjoy too. She can ride in the wheelbarrow (I have fond memories of doing just that!), she can help with planting, discover worms, pick the fruit (and eat it – don’t we all!) She can also learn about when things are ready, how to know a weed from a plant, and when it’s all done, Peggy can lie in the grass, relax and imagine what it is like to be a flower. Prepare to be charmed.
The Pigeon Won’t Play with Shapes!
Mo Willems Workshop, pub. Union Square Kids
Pigeon is a tricky character, he’s cheeky too. There seems to be rather a few things that he doesn’t like to do and he always seems to be ready with an answer as to why. Do you think your little ones will love not only the board book format but also the fun that they’ll have with pigeon and his little friend as they explore shapes?
I know that as a grown-up I had lots of fun and my little readers enjoyed it too, they were learning by stealth. You see Pigeon is not really being difficult, he is stating facts and children can learn a lot from him. He’s quite right when he tells his little friend that circles are pointless. The suggestions continue until his little friend finds the perfect solution, one we all wanted to play with – will you?
See, Touch, Feel: Guess Who?
pub. Priddy Books
A strong board book filled with surprises every time the page is turned. Every page turn reveals a new clue about what could be hiding under its flaps. There is also a very bold and bright part-of-the-picture clue. Answer the first question and lift … to find another clue. See if you can guess the answer and then lift again … to reveal the hidden animal.
What starts as a double page spread, a rectangle in shape, becomes a big square fun picture by the time each of the flaps have been lifted and opened out. With this picture comes the reveal, the answer in words as well as design. There are six cheeky animals hiding in the book waiting for little readers to play the hide-and-seek guessing game with them.
Space
pub. Priddy Books
It’s time for little hand to have an opportunity not only to hold this big chunky board book in their hands but to explore our planet and beyond, into space. Once they have the book in hand they will discover there are wheels to turn and flaps to lift, all of which are ready to reveal new things to see.
We begin with the earth, see it surrounded by space and have a wheel to turn which shows us the phases of the moon, our nearest neighbour. With that we are launched into space, learning about rockets, helping one to lift off, discovering what astronauts do in them before then exploring our solar system. A bright, bold, charmingly interactive learning journey and adventure awaits small readers.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar: At the Park
Eric Carle, pub. Puffin Books
It’s time for the park, would you like to take a visit with The Very Hungry Caterpillar? It will be so much fun because there is plenty to see, to explore and to learn about, plus there are flaps to life and wheels to turns so you can keep changing each scene and reveal some delightful surprises too!
The sun is out and the park is fun but do you know what is waiting there for you? Right now, the tree has beautiful blossoms that will soon become a red, rosy and tasty treat – do you know what they might be? Then, over at the pond, the duck is swimming but where are her ducklings, could they be under those reeds? Watch the spider, silently climbing the tree, can you see the web and the bugs that are busy around her? After all that fun the sun needs to sleep and so do you, time to say goodnight and wait for the next wonderful adventure.