This lift-the-flap board book utilizes realistic images to introduce animals, machinery, food, and habitats around the farm.
Each double-page layout makes use of six toddler-friendly flaps, bold realistic photographs, and clear labeling. The front of each flap includes simple labels that fall under each heading. For example, the “Mommies and Babies” spread shows each of the adult animals on its own flap, while the question “Can you name the babies of these animals?” encourages readers to guess what’s beneath them. This strategy allows for versatility of use: Younger children can quickly page through, looking at and naming the pictures, while older toddlers and preschoolers can spend time answering the questions and exploring. There are some minor inconsistencies in structure within each layout: Some animals are shown with their corresponding sounds, while others aren’t, for instance. Cunliffe’s illustrations make use of photographs with digitally rendered backgrounds and enhancements. This is a meaningful approach for readers who will love throwing themselves into all of the details of the combine harvester, crop sprayer, and four-wheeler. The clever, final spread shows silhouettes of animals, creating a simple puzzle for readers to guess who is who.
While this is an imperfect lift-and-reveal in a crowded field of farm books, its clear and inviting layout will surely delight young, curious readers. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: March 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68010-539-1
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: Feb. 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS
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An ocean-themed entry in the Hello World series.
A white youngster with long hair sporting a swim mask encourages little ones to “Dive in and take a look!” at ocean life. Each double-page spread presents a different marine animal, including whales, dolphins, sharks, an octopus, a crab and a lobster, sea turtles, fish, and jellyfish. Two or three conversationally conveyed facts of interest are included per double-page spread, one of which is usually in a smaller type and marked with an asterisk for obscure reasons. “What’s that? It’s a sea horse? It can quickly change colors to blend with the background, helping it hide from enemies,” reads the larger text in one representative spread, while the text in the smaller font reads, “A sea horse father carries eggs in a pouch until they are ready to hatch.” A trio of children, all of whom have light complexions, build a sand castle on the beach and collect shells to highlight the wide variety of the latter that can be found. McDonald’s jewel-toned art has the look of watercolor and is appropriately watery and accessible. The final pages allow children to reflect on their favorite ocean animal as the art reviews all the creatures depicted.
A gentle underwater excursion. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Feb. 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-525-57877-2
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: March 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2019
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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Learn about domestic animals in the latest addition to McDonald’s Hello World! series.
Whether they are wild or domesticated, animals are fascinating creatures. In this cheery outing, McDonald introduces young readers to a variety of animals that live with humans, including rabbits, cats, frogs, and dogs. Companion title Arctic Animals, on the other hand, focuses on the wild and wonderful creatures that live in the world’s coldest, northernmost region, including polar bears, narwhals, snowy owls, and puffins. McDonald’s talent for curating relevant, fascinating, and child-friendly facts is fully on display in both of these volumes. Both books focus mostly on the physical characteristics of the animals and birds, pairing the descriptions with textured, collage-style illustrations that also enliven the type, particularly in cases of onomatopoeia. Arctic Animals simply and clearly introduces concepts like hibernation and camouflage while Pets provides a bit of specific information about how to care for the animals depicted. It also includes questions on each two-page spread that invite children to participate in the storytelling by moving their bodies like the pets they are reading about: Readers are asked to “twitch” their noses like rabbits, “stretch” like cats, and “hop” like frogs. Both books are excellent choices for budding naturalists, zookeepers, veterinarians, and pet owners.
With its companion, a vibrantly illustrated, expertly written offering for young animal lovers. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-525-64759-1
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: Nov. 24, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2019
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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