So Far Up - a review

So Far Up
by Susanne Strasser
Charlesbridge, 2018

So Far Up is a perfect book for sharing with toddlers. It's simple and repetitive, it introduces various animals and opposites,and it has a simple story line. The only thing that could make it better would be a larger size for sharing with bigger groups. It is a 5"x7" board book.

I tested it in storytime and it was a hit. 

My copy of So Far Up was provided by the publisher at my request.

I'm a Mail Carrier (A Tinyville Town Book) - a review

I'm a Mail Carrier (A Tinyville Town Book)
By Brian Biggs
Abrams, 2018

Tinyville Town: I'm a Mail Carrier is one book in a planned series featuring workers in the fictional Tinyville Town. Small board books will focus on individual occupations, while larger ones will focus on community members working together. According to the author's website, characters will appear across books. For example, in the book, I'm a Mail Carrier, the mail carrier delivers mail to the Mayor, the beauty salon, the architect, and the veterinarian. These people and shops will likely appear in future books, showing a true sense of community. The characters are of varying races, genders, ages, and ethnicities. Cartoon illustrations are simple, colorful, and cheerful. Sparse text,

 "I carry all kinds of mail for the folks of Tinyville Town,"

is enhanced with dialogue in word bubble format. When the mail carrier delivers her children to their teacher at school, she calls out,

 "Special delivery!" 

To which the teacher responds,

 "Ha ha! Good morning." 

A full set of these books would be a welcome addition to any library and much appreciated by preschool teachers—and there's a teacher's guide, too.

Tinyville Town Teacher's Guide by Abrams Books on Scribd

 (My copy of I'm a Mail Carrier was provided by the publisher at my request. It is currently entertaining my 3-year-old grandnephew. 😃)

Stanley's Opposites and Stanley's Numbers - a review

Let me just say that I continue to be a fan of Stanley books by William Bee.  The latest are Stanley's Opposites and Stanley's Numbers from Peachtree (2017).  You'll find these on a shelf near you this fall.

These colorful books are everything one wants in a board book—bright colors, simplicity, simple concepts, minimal text.

If you're interested, Stanley has a new fan page.

You can read my other reviews of Stanley books here:

• Stanley's Store
• Stanley's Shapes
• Stanley's Colors
• Stanley the Farmer 

Thanks to Peachtree Publishers for my review copies.  I'm passing them along to tiny relatives ASAP.😃

Stanley's Shapes and Stanley's Colors - a review

In 2015, I reviewed the new picture book, Stanley the Farmer by William Bee, declaring it (among other things) "a perfect choice for very young listeners."  So when I had an opportunity to review upcoming Peachtree Publishers titles, I was happy to take a look at Stanley's entries into the board book series.  I was not disappointed.


Stanley's Shapes by William Bee
Peachtree Publishers, 2016

William Bee's illustrations are crisp, bright and simple. In Shapes, he ensures that the featured shape on each double-spread page is easy for children to discern, outlined heavily in black.   There are 8 shapes in all, and each one is something that should be easily recognizable for a child.  A tent is a triangle, a window is a square, bike wheels are circles, a kite is a diamond, etc. Text is minimal for each shape,

Wheeeeeeee! Circles make the best wheels!

Preceding the simple, black text is a white outline of the featured shape.  The final spread is an illustration that contains all of the shapes,

What a lot of shapes! How many can you see?

Stanley's Shapes is exactly what a concept board book should be.


Stanley's Colors by William Bee
Peachtree Publishers, 2016

Like Stanley's Shapes, Stanley's Colors is a perfectly simple, child-sized, concept board book.  There are eight featured colors on double-spread pages.  The background is white, except for a colored banner on the bottom.  The colored banner contains the simple black text,

Choo Choo!  Here is Stanley driving his purple train.

and matches the color in the illustration.  Almost everything in the image is purple with the exception of Stanley, and a few small accents.  Black outlining ensures clarity.

If you're looking for a color concept book for very young kids, this is a great choice.


Look for these books in September, 2016.

A note on board books:
I don't usually review board books because I am often disappointed in them.  In my opinion, board books should be exactly like these books, however, in recent years, it seems as if too many of them are just retreads of popular picture books.  They're often too big, too text heavy, too complicated.  If you're shopping for board books for your collection, or your own child, keep it simple!


Note:
Review copies were provided by the publisher at my request.

You're Getting a Baby Brother! (Sister!) - a review

There are many, many books about new siblings, and while many are very funny or entertaining, the ones that I usually recommend to parents are the ones that make it abundantly clear that new babies don't do much - best to keep expectations low. Two of my favorites are My Baby and Me (Knopf, 2008) and this year's One Special Day (Disney/Hyperion).

Today I received two interesting additions to the "new sibling" collection.  I say, "interesting" because 1. they are board books (although it seems that everything is becoming a board book these days!) and  2. they're not particularly well-suited for a public library.  That being said, I'm glad I have them available, and I hope they last.

Higginson, Sheila Sweeny. 2012. You're Getting a Baby Sister! New York: Little Simon.
Higginson, Sheila Sweeny. 2012. You're Getting a Baby Brother! New York: Little Simon.


These board books will appeal directly to the preschooler who is accustomed to his position as the star of the family show, and unsure about what role the future sibling may play.

It's very exciting.  Your family will grow!
But before you start cheering, there are a few things you should know.
...

Your brother will poop.
He will spit.
He will cry.
And you'd better watch out -- or he'll pee in your eye!
 

The negative behaviors, of course, are only a small portion of the book, and kids will enjoy the humorous accompanying illustrations. The reigning preschooler is reminded that babies need understanding and protection,

And if he grows up, watching all that you do, surely he'll be amazing --
for he'll be just like you!
 

The final two pages are designed for personalization, offering space for baby's name and a photo of the new siblings. (I hope the library's copies are returned without writing, but I have my doubts!) The brother and sister versions have variations in text and illustrations, however, the message remains the same.  You will both be loved; you have a new and special role in your family.

Short and rhyming with a multicultural cast of families, these are great introductions to a new family cast member.


Click to see a graphic excerpt from You're Getting a Baby Sister!
Click to see a graphic excerpt from You're Getting a Baby Brother!

 

The Nonfiction Monday is at Simply Science today.

My choice of books today is not nonfiction in the strictest sense of the word,
but factual enough for the preschool set.

Bathroom humor

Here's a little bathroom humor (board book style) from Leslie Patricelli. I don't usually review board books, but these are so funny that I had to share!

Patricelli, Leslie. 2010. Tubby. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

I'm naked! Wheeee!

That about sums it up.  Tubby is just doggone funny! But wait, does that dog have muddy paws? It looks like this little guy may need another bath.



Patricelli, Leslie. 2010. Potty. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Baby has to go.  He could go in his diaper. But then again, maybe he won't.   Maybe dog or cat has a better idea.  Nope.  Maybe he'll just try out the potty. Well, whaddya know?

Tinkle, tinkle, toot.  I did it!

An adorable boy makes his own decisions; and what does he get for his trouble?  What else, but

Undies!

Yay!


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