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Index Interviews: Karen Swenson Articles: Where Do You Get Your Ideas...? (Part I) You've Finished Writing the Play: Now What? (Part II) An Inside Look At... george jr. Upcoming Events Calendar Book Reviews Reader Mail Return to This Issue's Index Return to Homepage Subscribe
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Children's Book ReviewsBy Nancy LittlejohnGood news for parents with toddlers or babies who still explore the world by gnawing on everything! More and more publishers are reissuing classic books in board book format. These sturdy books stand up to lots of love (i.e. many readings with novice page turners at the helm), and best of all, the new format exactly recreates the original book with no abridgement or other changes. Another plus for board books is that they are less expensive than hardback books and since they are smaller, fit conveniently inside a diaper bag or purse for emergency story times. Joining the ranks of old favorites now debuting as board books are The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle and Leo the Late Bloomer, both originally published in 1971 as hardback picture books. The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle (author/artist)HarperFestival, Feb., 1998.Board Book, 22 pages Ages: Preschool ISBN: 0694011487. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
The Secret Birthday Message, illustrated with Carle's bright,
eye-catching collages is the story of Tim, who finds a strange
envelope under his pillow the night before his birthday. As in all
of Eric Carle's books, there is a theme concept, in this instance,
shapes. Tim must follow the shapes in the coded note to find his
birthday present. A semi-circle represents the moon, a star
represents the biggest star, an oval represents a rock and so on
through several other shape clues until at last a darling puppy is
peering at Tim through a rectangle (door). As in the original
edition, the shapes are cutouts that add an extra bit of challenge
for children to poke, peek through and trace. It makes a darling
birthday present, but it's enough fun to make it a favorite long
past birthday time.
-- Nancy Littlejohn Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Krauss, Pictures by Jose ArauegoHarper Festival, Feb., 1998.Board Book, 30 pages. Ages 6 mos -2½. ISBN: 0694009806. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
Poor Leo can't do anything right, and illustrator Jose Aruego has
made that abundantly and hilariously clear with Leo the tiger's
baleful expression in Leo the Late Bloomer. Author Robert Kraus has
woven a tale about a little guy who can't yet read, draw or talk and
is a very sloppy eater. Leo's wise mother knows he's just a late
bloomer, but Dad is worried and watches Leo for signs of blooming.
As Leo's mom says though, "A watched bloomer doesn't bloom," so Dad
pretends to watch television instead of Leo. Winter comes and goes.
Dad is still watching. Spring begins to bud, and Dad is still
watching. Finally, in Leo's own time, he BLOOMS! He can read, write
and draw like a whiz; and of course, eat neatly. There's just one
hurdle left, talking. We see Mom's knowing look and Dad's suspicious
one turn into love and relief respectively as Leo utters not just one
word, but a WHOLE sentence, "I made it!" For all parents of late
bloomers who watch the early blooming neighbor kids show off their
skills, this book is a gentle reminder that everything happens in
its' own good time. For little ones, it's a delightfully illustrated
book where they can see all kinds of interesting animals and try to
find Leo's Dad watching Leo. The best part is the happy ending both
in picture and word of the whole family sharing a group hug as Leo
says what all of us, including children, have felt many times, "I
made it!"
-- Nancy Littlejohn Be Mine by Dana Regan (author/artist)Harper Festival, Feb., 1998.Board Book, 30 pages. Ages 6 mos -2½. ISBN: 0694011576. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
Be Mine is a new musical board book. With just a punch of the button,
an electronic rendition of the turn-of-the-century hit "Let me Call
You Sweetheart" bursts forth. The text of the book is the lyrics to
the song. Instead of the sweethearts in the romantic sense, though,
we see a mom singing and playing with her baby. There are lots of
hearts scattered around the pages for children to spot and lots of
loving looks shared between Mom and Baby. As with all good lullabies,
Baby ends up asleep tucked in his cozy bed with Mom gazing on as the
last line proclaims, "I'm in love with you." It's a precious
Valentine book, and it's fun to sing along with this enduring
tune.
-- Nancy Littlejohn Return to Book Reviews Index ** To visit the archives of children's books reviewed in The IWJ, please click here. |