Book Review: January 22 Board Book Round-Up, Part 1

So, I separated this post into two because I only actually read two of them with Carter. The rest I read on my own for the committee.

One might ask, how do you determine whether Carter likes a book? I think some of the indicators for me are 1.) whether he sits and listens to the entire book, 2.) whether he points at items on the pages or starts "talking" about something that was read or 3.) if he brings it back for another read. The latter is really only books we own. We rarely read a library book twice for multiple reasons - we don't let him have access to the library books yet since he might rip the pages or break the cover and we don't keep library books that long since Carter and I go the library once a week and I'm sometimes at a library every day depending on meetings and holds coming in to the West End.

The two titles I read to Carter this week from the list we were reviewing on the committee were The Opposite Zoo by Il Sung Na and Baby's First Words by Christiane Engel.

The illustrations in The Opposite Zoo are beautiful, borderline artwork and appear to be watercolor. The plot, however, doesn't match the level of quality. While it's great because it introduces some new vocabulary for a toddler but maybe not a baby, the words are all adjectives that are ones that are typically not geared at this age group. The first and last page are the only ones with text more than the adjective which follow on each page with the opposite.

Carter really had no reaction to this book. He listened but he showed no emotion and promptly walked away when the book was over. I think had the artwork, which to an adult looked nice, been brighter or the animals more recognizable he might have been more engaged.

It should be noted as well that this book comes in picture book and board book format. We read the picture book was so much better because it was larger.

Baby's First Words was a much different book from the first. It was day in the life of a baby (i.e. wake-up, playtime, getting dressed) and each page featured multiple vocabulary words. The wonderful thing about this book is the diversity featured. The baby has two dads and both it appears are of different ethnic backgrounds.

Carter sat and look through this one on his own. He wanted to look more closely at each page and didn't want to be read to. I think this is great because it shows his print awareness skills and curiosity of each page. He was of course most impressed with the vroom vroom page, which featured a fire truck and lots of wheels.

You aren't missing much if you skip The Opposite Zoo but I would highly recommend reading or checking out Baby's First Words for your baby.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: January 15 Board Book Round-Up

Carter had to take a little break from library books. He figured out how to break a board book. Impossible you might say! Carter's a baby. Board books are indestructible. Well, I'm here to tell you that they are not. In all of my years working in a library, I have never seen a book break like he has destroyed two of his at home. What's even more shocking is he isn't even doing anything out of the ordinary or that destructive to them! He just likes to open them and see how far back the covers can go until it inevitably snaps. It's basic print awareness as he explores the book but maybe a little bit too much. So, no library books for Carter without parent supervision.

We've been reading a lot of new board books together that we get at the library. I'm serving on the Best Books for Babies Committee, so I get to read and review a lot of the new ones from last year. Part of my review process is testing them on Carter. He's a tough critic of books (I wonder where he gets that!). He also is a creature of habit with his books. Sometimes we read Fire Engine Man three times and other nights Llama Llama five times! My favorite is when he has to throw open Pout Pout Fish (and he literally throws it open) just so we can study one page.

Here are some cute books from my committee work and our recent library visit that I tested on Carter. 

Making Faces: A First Book of Emotions

I picked this book up at the library for Carter before I joined the committee but sure enough it ended up on our list. I was drawn to the book because I love baby books with real pictures. To me, the pictures make the reader able to relate better. The baby looks like me or the dog looks like my pet. 

The book shows one baby featuring a different emotion - happiness, anger, sadness, surprise, etc. Then on the next page it shows a range of babies featuring different emotions and the reader has to pick the baby with that page's emotion. At the end there is a mirror, so that the reader can see his own face and emotion.

Carter was very attentive during the book. I wouldn't say he was interactive though with the book. He did like seeing himself at the end and I think if I tried the book again on him I might get a different response. He does seem to gravitate to books with real pictures. He has a similar book at home and he likes to point to the different babies.

Dance by Matthew Van Fleet

I put this book on hold not knowing what it looked like or really even what it was about. It popped up on a list of books for babies. It also then later appeared on our list of books to review for the committee.

I was so excited when it arrived on the hold shelf for me. It's so cute and interactive! There are tabs that the reader can pull to see the animal dance. It seems a lot sturdier than most pop-up/tab books. Of course Carter would probably be a great judge of that but I wouldn't let him touch it. I actually stood while I read it to him. Ha ha!

The sad part is that he completely lost interest. It's very wordy. He liked the animals but was done about halfway through. It's weird because the interactive part works best for a young child while the text is more for an older child I feel. It's too old for babies but too young for preschool. Toddlers would probably enjoy it, especially those that like to dance.

Black Cart & White Cat by Claire Garralon

Carter goes to the library for two reasons in his mind and neither is to get books. He goes to play with the train table and get a cookie. Perhaps this is why he doesn't do well when we go to two other libraries for storytime - no cookie and no train table. So, we were at the library for our weekly visit and I normally pick up any new board books for him. There wasn't much of a selection, so I took this older board book because it looked good and might catch his attention.

I thought he would instantly gravitate to the book because it is about two cats. He was initially excited by that fact. After all, his best friend is a cat. He didn't even get one page in before he was up and walking away off to torment said best friend of course. OK, so not a great book for Carter. Maybe it was the lack of color since it is black and white although the last page is color? Or maybe the lack of words since it is really simple and he's use to a little bit more of a storyline? Whatever the reason, he gave his vote and it was a flat out no.

Regardless, it's simple. I'm sure it's perfect for some babies/toddlers out there just not mine.

So, that my friends, is a board book round up for this week. Head to the library if you don't already with your little one and get them some books and take them to storytime. If you need recommendations of good storytimes, I can give that as well!

Happy Reading!

A Little Change of Pace...Board Book Review

 You probably aren't surprised that Carter and I read together. A lot. We read during playtime when he starts to get bored with his toys and we read at night before bed. He's a little more alert during playtime since he isn't in the process of falling asleep. We read our library books during playtime. This week we read City Blocks and Hooray for Hat.

City Blocks by Christopher Franceschelli

OK, OK...I know you shouldn't just a book by its cover but I totally did for City Blocks. Maybe not so much the cover but the size because it's very unique. The book is about as thick as a normal adult book but board book size. The bold, colorful artwork was eye-catching and attractive when sitting on the shelf next to other books.

The book is a journey through the city with pages that open up to show a city block, cut-outs for windows on the subway and different shaped pages that give a preview of what is to come. The book is geared towards preschool and kindergarten not really meant for a baby but we read everything! It would be very interactive for a preschool child as the reader travels through the city on various forms of transportation to different landmarks, such as the museum, stadium and farmer's markets. The landmarks are all recognizable to most cities, so preschool children will be able to relate with places around their home. I was disappointed because the library is not a place the book mentions. Instead when finding a good story, the reader is led to a bookstore.

Carter did sit through this book surprisingly but it fidgeted more, mostly due to the length. It's a very cute book and I would recommend it to any parent of a preschool aged child.

Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won

This book on display, which is why I picked it up for Carter on my lunch break at the branch down the street from the office. I had never heard of it but thought it was worth a try.

The book starts with a grumpy elephant who is surprised by a box of hats on his doorstep. He decided to share it with his animal friends who are all grumpy as well. The last friend that hats are shared with is giraffe who isn't feeling well. Everyone is happy and feeling well enough for a party at the end of the book complete with lots of hats.

The book is simple and colorful with the various animals and hats. The emotions are also familiar to young readers - grumpy, excited, not feeling well. It also illustrates the importance of sharing happiness with others and providing a reason for others to smile.

Again this book is better for a preschool aged child, however Carter giggled at this one. Granted he was probably laughing at me yell, "I'm grumpy" but it was still showing interest in the book or listening to it being read.

In the last few weeks, I have noticed that Carter pays much more attention when I read to him. He looks at the pages and listens more intently. Read to your kids! It's so important!

OK, I'll get off my reading soapbox now. Head to the library and check these great board books out!