Children's Book Reviews

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Albert the Bear by Nick Butterworth
HarperCollins, September, 2003
Hardcover, 28 pages
ISBN: 0060536888
Ages Baby-Preschool
Ordering information:
Amazon.com

Albert the Bear
by Nick Butterworth

Everyone thought the new arrival at the toy shop, Albert the Bear, was really sad. He seemed to take everything way too seriously and when people tried to make him smile he just remained sad. Albert would just sit and stare with an awful frown on his face. Everyone felt bad for the new sad bear, so Sally, a hippopotamus, tried to conjure up a plan to cheer him up. Sally and her friends, a mouse named Pickle, a Jack-in-a-box named Jack-in-a-box, Maurice the steam engine, Lizzie the humming top, Toby the cat and others began putting on a play for the sad bear. The first two acts were a miss. Pickle forgot her lines and Jack-in-a-box bounced too high and crashed. Albert kept watching, but was not amused. "Please," said Albert as if he had some explanation for his glum behavior, but before he could finish Sally suddenly came out with bright red lipstick, a pointy yellow hat and ballerina outfit. Sally didn't mean to be clumsy, but she slipped and crashed right into Albert. Albert shouted, "I am not sad at all. It is just the way I am made. I just happen to have a sad look on my face." But now he did have a smile on his face. Some of Sally's lipstick had stuck on his mouth, creating a very happy smile. All the toys started laughing and Albert starting laughing too. His laugh was enormous and boisterous and it made everyone laugh all over again.

Albert the Bear is a very good story, full of terrific illustrations and good humor. In addition to the wonderful story and pictures, the book also includes guest appearance in the pictures by some of children's favorite characters including Bob the Builder, Paddington, Kipper, Noddy and Where's Waldo.

Critter Love by Kate Spohn
HarperFestival, January, 2004
Picture Books, 24 pages
ISBN: 0590292242
Ages Baby-Preschool
Ordering information:
Amazon.com

Critter Love
by Kate Spohn

Critter Love is a wonderful book to help teach young children to be kind to our animal friends. Colorful illustrations show a boy and girl interacting with animals of all kinds, both large and small. Elephants, lizards, giraffes, koalas, turtles, dolphins, ducks and monkeys are all shown in illustrations having friendly encounters with the two children. In the end the book says, "Make friends with all critters…for you are one too." Author Kate Spohn offers dozens of cute little critter illustrations combined with short, easy-to-understand text that is perfect to read to very small children. Some of the animals have also been given a soft raised surface that children can touch and feel. Kids can spend a lot of time with this book both touching the animals and trying to name them, all the while learning that it is important to treat animals with kindness.

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Children's Book Reviews

Albert the Bear by Nick Butterworth

Critter Love by Kate Spohn