14 minute read
BOARD & NOVELTY BOOKS
connection and belonging. Disability isn’t discussed in the text, though characters with disabilities (including a child with a limb difference and another child who uses a hearing aid) are depicted. In a growing landscape of body-positive children’s literature, this book’s overworked rhymes keep it from shining, but those looking for a gentle introduction to body acceptance will find it a solid option. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An upbeat, uncomplicated ode to bodies that are big, thick,
broad, and boundless. (Picture book. 4-7)
JUST LIKE JESSE OWENS
Young, Andrew & Paula Young Shelton Illus. by Gordon C. James Scholastic (40 pp.) $16.99 | Aug. 2, 2022 978-0-545-55465-7
Before growing up to become a major figure in the civil rights movement, a boy
finds a role model.
Buffing up a childhood tale told by her renowned father, Young Shelton describes how young Andrew saw scary men marching in his New Orleans neighborhood (“It sounded like they were yelling ‘Hi, Hitler!’ ”). In response to his questions, his father took him to see a newsreel of Jesse Owens (“a runner who looked like me”) triumphing in the 1936 Olympics. “Racism is a sickness,” his father tells him. “We’ve got to help folks like that.” How? “Well, you can start by just being the best person you can be,” his father replies. “It’s what you do that counts.” In James’ hazy chalk pastels, Andrew joins racially diverse playmates (including a White child with an Irish accent proudly displaying the nickel he got from his aunt as a bribe to stop playing with “those Colored boys”) in tag and other games, playing catch with his dad, sitting in the midst of a cheering crowd in the local theater’s segregated balcony, and finally visualizing himself pelting down a track alongside his new hero—“head up, back straight, eyes focused,” as a thematically repeated line has it, on the finish line. An afterword by Young Shelton explains that she retold this story, told to her many times growing up, drawing from conversations with Young and from her own research; family photos are also included. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A pivotal moment in a child’s life, at once stirring and
authentically personal. (illustrator’s note) (Autobiographical picture book. 7-9)
board & novelty books
BUS BUDDIES A Lift-the-Page Truck Book
Coyle, Finn Illus. by Srimalie Bassani Flowerpot Press (14 pp.) $8.99 | Oct. 18, 2022 978-1-4867-2275-4 Series: Finn’s Fun Trucks
An overview of five different buses and what they do.
This lift-the-page board book describes a monster-truck bus, a double-decker bus, a mass transit bus, a tram, and a road trolley. Each driver introduces their bus; an image offers labeled details of various parts. Lifting the page flap reveals the vehicle’s purpose. For example, the mass transit bus is shown dropping people off at the Bean in Chicago with the explanation that it “picks up and drops off passengers on a planned route throughout the city.” The text and illustrations are accessible for young readers and include just enough information to satisfy curious kids without overwhelming them. One small quibble: The buses are described as “tak[ing] people where they need to go!” but monster-truck buses don’t actually transport people (they “compete and entertain fans”)—a slightly confusing inclusion. The illustrations are well done, showcasing drivers of different skin tones. Some of the busy cityscapes feature iconic places like Chicago and London, a possible jumping-off point for introducing readers to different locations.
Will delight little lovers of things with wheels. (Board book.
2-4)
FOREST FRIENDS
Hart, Curt Flowerpot Press (20 pp.) $7.99 | Oct. 18, 2022 978-1-4867-2405-5
Up-close with five different North American forest animals.
This board book spotlights bald eagles, rabbits, whitetailed deer, bullfrogs, and eastern screech owls. Each animal is accompanied by close-up photographs and a related and not-too-obvious fact. “Eastern screech owls avoid predators by stretching their bodies and swaying back and forth like a tree branch.” It’s possible that even adults sharing the book with children might learn something new. The stunning photographs put the animals on full display; the bullfrog’s eye is presented in great detail, down to the ring around its pupil, and readers can even make out the veins in the rabbit’s ears. This makes for a lot of visual interest without being overly busy. Overall, the concise information and images are toddler-friendly, though some of the factoids assume knowledge of topics such as hibernation
and predators. Animal books with photos are common boardbook fodder, but this one, refreshingly, isn’t merely an alphabetical listing or a simple series of named images. While there isn’t anything groundbreaking here, budding zoologists will appreciate the facts coupled with the photography and a chance to observe animals that are usually seen at a distance. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Eye-catching and informative. (Board book. 2-4)
FRANCE
Holingue, Evelyne Illus. by Margaux Carpentier Barefoot Books (20 pp.) $9.99 | Oct. 18, 2022 978-1-64686-718-9 Series: Our World
A day in the life of Bébé and Doudou in France.
This board book opens on a busy day when Bébé wakes up. From there, it’s on to breakfast, a walk, and a trip to the park, among other activities. Each page features a different child and their lovey (doudou) along with a sprinkle of French and accompanying helpful phonetic spellings. Words and phrases like bonjour, bon appétit, and bonne nuit are woven into the text in such a way that non-native speakers can manage them. The phonetic spellings encourage correct pronunciation and familiarize little readers with new words. The book concludes with a section called “A Day in France,” which translates all of the French from the text into English. While this is certainly helpful, readers may wish it had come earlier, as it takes some time for context clues to kick in on the word doudou unless readers are previously familiar. Carpentier’s illustrations are bold and striking, depicting rich textures in, for instance, people’s hair or orange peels on a table. Characters are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Lovely illustrations accompany this quaint, toddler-
friendly intro to French culture and language. (Board book. 1-3)
LEO, SLEEP TIGHT!
McQuinn, Anna Illus. by Ruth Hearson Charlesbridge (18 pp.) $8.99 | Oct. 11, 2022 978-1-62354-338-9 Series: Leo Can!
A baby gets ready for bed.
After a play-filled day, it’s time for Leo to wind down and go to sleep. He drinks warm milk, takes a bath, snuggles up with his parents to hear a story, and dozes off. McQuinn’s text is appropriate for young toddlers, with just a few words per page. The descriptions are short and make use of alliteration, while Hearson’s soft, warm illustrations exude a feeling of comfort, from the delicate bathtub bubbles to the fleecy snuggle of Leo’s pajamas. What sets the artwork apart is how it makes an ordinary experience feel like the precious, magical time that it is. The family’s love and trust for one another are evident as they cuddle together while reading; in one image, a parent holds Leo tenderly, and in another, the other parent draws him close. All of the steps in this bedtime routine are reassuring, and Leo looks content throughout; this is a helpful read to get little ones ready—and even eager—for bedtime. Leo and his parents present as Black. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A lovely bedtime read. (Board book. 0-2)
WHO BIT MY BOOK?
Mroziewicz, Elsa minedition (16 pp.) $11.99 | Dec. 6, 2022 978-1-66265-135-9
Different animals leave their marks on this lift-the-flap board book.
Each page starts with an inquiry (“Who bit my book?” “Who crumpled up my book?”). The accompanying flap covers most of the animal, showing only a peek at a body part such as a tail or an arm and the damage they’ve done to the book (a chomp, for example). A lift of the flap reveals the full animal: The cat has scratched the book, the snail has “slobbered” on it, and the mouse has nibbled it. This pattern offers little readers a chance to guess which creature is responsible for making mischief. Kids will surely giggle at the scatological messes that two animals make. Some critters leave behind jagged cutouts, giving the book a cheeky, realistic touch that’s sure to delight little ones and keep them coming back for repeat reads. And by the story’s end, a snake appears to have swallowed the book whole—an amusing and appropriate conclusion. The illustrations are simple, featuring the animals and, in some cases, their pawprints against white space. The art makes effective use of textures; tiny dots and lines give the monkey soft fur, while the snail has an attractive, patterned shell. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Silly playfulness perfect for both children and their grown-
ups. (Board book. 1-3)
LOVE IS A BALL
Novesky, Amy Illus. by Sara Gillingham Cameron Kids (24 pp.) $13.99 | Nov. 8, 2022 978-1-951836-35-1
From baseballs to gum balls, a list of
round objects.
This rhyming board book showcases balls that appear in childhood games, from the obvious, like a basketball, to those less common in childhood play, such as pinballs, comparing each of them to love (“Love is a baseball, snug in a glove”). Other balls include a balloon, a bubble, and the moon. Overall, the rhyme scheme works well thanks to onomatopoeia like
little bear, baby bear
swish and THWACK and a spare amount of text on each page. The illustrations rely on a limited palette dominated by yellow, salmon, blue, and green with black as an accenting color. Most of the characters are children of various skin tones, though they all are drawn with black hair in various textures. Their faces have only thick black lines or curves as eyes, with large, circular pink cheeks. Perhaps the cheeks are meant to emphasize the theme of the book, but because they are so apparent, at first glance (as with the cover) they can appear as pupil-less eyes with dark eyebrows. Overall, this is a different take on childhood play, with objects that will be familiar to older children but less so to a board-book audience. New exposures are positive, of course, even if pool balls and a pinball machine make for an odd fit for toddlers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Unusual yet engaging. (Board book. 1-3)
ROCK-A-BYE BABY
Illus. by Quintanilla, Hazel Flowerpot Press (14 pp.) $7.99 | Oct. 18, 2022 978-1-4867-2282-2 Series: Hazel Q Nursery Rhymes
A playful, sloth-centered interpretation of the classic lullaby. It’s nighttime, and animals are snuggled up in the treetops with their babies: owls, big cats, snakes, and the stars of the story: sloths. And so the familiar words begin as an adult and baby sloth rock on a tree branch. When the wind “blows,” the “cradle” (the adult sloth’s body) begins to rock until the “bough breaks,” and the two land on the ground— safely—the parent relieved, the baby gleeful. This silly interpretation breathes new life into the centuries-old rhyme. The slow realization that the branch is about to break is apparent on the adult sloth’s face. The heavy-lidded eyes and look of slight concern, followed by the shock of understanding, clue readers in to the inevitable impending fall. The cartoonlike illustration depicting the fall shows the snap and drop, with just a single sloth arm clinging to a tree branch visible at the bottom of the page. It’s sure to elicit a smile from knowing adult readers. It’s not often that something old is redone so convincingly and simply, but this one hits the mark. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A fun refresh of a childhood standard. (Board book. 0-2)
LITTLE BEAR, BABY BEAR
Schneider, Marine Cameron Kids (22 pp.) $9.99 | Oct. 4, 2022 978-1-951836-63-4
A comparison of two siblings’ personal items. While Big Bear, Little Bear (2021) compared the objects owned by a parent and a child, this tale catalogs Little Bear’s and their baby sibling’s belongings, from socks to toys to books. Little Bear is taller, dressed like an older child. Baby Bear, on the other hand, sports a onesie and is much smaller. Side-by-side illustrations enable readers to observe the ways the two are alike and ways in which they are different— both enjoy a snack, but Little Bear eats an apple, while Baby Bear still drinks from a bottle. New older siblings might find this read especially helpful, as they’ll see just how capable they are (like Little Bear, they can ride a bike, for instance). The book closes with an illustration of Little Bear and Baby Bear piled onto Big Bear’s lap, a reminder that they all share the same love. Schneider’s illustrations are simple, showcasing the two items on each side of the spread, set against a solid, vibrantly colored background. Little Bear and Baby Bear are more teddy bear than grizzly, with minimal detail, which also makes for little change in their facial expressions. It also leaves room for adults to fill in the blanks and reassure their Little Bears in advance of the arrival of a Baby Bear. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A sweet take on the new-sibling theme. (Board book. 1-3)
STUCK! (HELP, PLEASE!)
Silverstein, Karol Ruth Illus. by Greg Paprocki Charlesbridge (24 pp.) $8.99 | Oct. 25, 2022 978-1-62354-285-6 Series: Chicken Soup for the Soul Babies
Kit and Grandma work through frustrations at the Critter Tot Lot. Kit experiences all kinds of challenging situations while at the playground, such as not being able to zip up their jacket and getting stuck in a tunnel slide. Grandma is there to calmly provide support each time Kit feels frustrated, and finally, when Kit feels frightened while crossing a bridge, they calm themself down and make it across. Showing off those newly acquired skills, Kit helps another playground friend. Silverstein’s rhyming text gives the book a zippy cadence ideal for read-alouds, and the dialogue grounds the story. The note for parents at the end provides useful, basic tips on helping toddlers problem-solve and manage difficult situations and emotions. Paprocki’s illustrations are sweet and match the tone of the book. All of the critters are anthropomorphized; Kit and Grandma appear to be oversize chipmunklike creatures, and there’s a bespectacled mouse and a raccoon wearing a hat, for example, all with expressive faces and movements. The book demonstrates the concept of guiding a child through sticky circumstances and unpleasant feelings while reassuring little ones that tough situations have resolutions. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Concisely addresses familiar toddler behavior in a mean-
ingful way. (Board book. 1-3)
BATHTIME AND BEDTIME
Slegers, Liesbet Clavis (24 pp.) $9.95 | July 12, 2022 978-1-60537-750-6
A child takes a bath and gets ready for bed. The tot, who has light skin and short dark hair, directly addresses readers, explaining each step of the process, from soaping up in the tub to drinking a bottle of milk to falling asleep for the night in their crib. Each page has concise, direct explanations (“This is the bathtub. Look! Water comes out of the faucet. The bath fills up with water”) that proceed step by step—like a visual checklist. The verso illustrates the object the child is discussing (it’s also bolded in the text), while the recto shows the resulting action. One page depicts a pair of yellow-checked pajamas, while the facing page features an image of the little one wearing the jammies. The illustrations are simple, boldly outlined, and mostly set against a stark white background. Even if this story feels like familiar board-book territory, young readers who are buoyed by repetition and clear expectations will find it reassuring and welcoming. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A comforting, step-by-step guide to a well-trod topic.
(Board book. 0-2)
THE THANK YOU BOOK
Smith, Danna Illus. by Juliana Perdomo Little Simon/Simon & Schuster (24 pp.) $7.99 | Sept. 6, 2022 978-1-66590-292-2
“All over the world, if you look, you will find / there are all kinds of thank-yous for all kinds of kind.”
This chipper board book offers ways to express gratitude, from saying thank you to giving a hug to drawing a picture. The rhyming text keeps the pages turning, and the concise explanations make the book appropriate for little ones. The illustrations depict children and adults with a wide range of skin tones, hair colors and textures, and abilities. Characters thank a crossing guard for helping them make their way across the street, a child thanks a veterinarian for treating their cat, and another little one thanks a grown-up for braiding their hair. All of the people are drawn with simple faces, two dark circles for the eyes, a single-line nose, and sometimes rosy cheeks. While the art doesn’t make room for a detailed range of expressions, it does the job. The message that a thank you comes from inside and can be shared in many forms is straightforward yet incredibly important. This one will work well in the hands of a young child but also as a tool for educators and caregivers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A clear message with a developmentally appropriate
approach. (Board book. 2-4)
