These new board books take you all through the day!
Good Morning, Toucan
Goodnight, Owl
by DwellStudio
Blue Apple Books
ISBNs: 978 1 60905 085 6 (Morning)
978 1 60905 083 2 (Night)
Audience: 1.5 – 4 year olds
The early bird in this rainforest wake-up tale gets to say good morning to everyone as they start their day, while introducing youngsters to jungle animals and where they live. Sturdy flaps built into the sides of the pages are nicely built to last, and lift to reveal a range of creatures set in the sort of well-designed forest you might expect from DwellStudio, purveyors of drool-worthy nursery gear.
At the other end of the day, in a more temperate forest that could easily be Canadian, an owl says goodnight to familiar woodland creatures as they get ready for the night in their homes. This one features the same chunky, integral flaps, a slightly more rustic design sensibility, and a surprise ending, when the owl heads for bed himself.
I thought I was going to give this pair to a new baby in the family but honestly, I love them too much, and want to use them for storytime at work, so I am keeping them. That is high praise, given how stuffed our shelves are with board books already!
How Many Kisses Good Night?
by Jean Monrad Thomas
Random House Kids
ISBN: 978 0 375 86146 8
Audience: babies and toddlers
This reissue of an older title pairs the same gentle bedtime text with sweet new illustrations and flaps that open to reveal a favourite bunny and one other surprise on each page. it walks through bedtime routines from bathing to dressing to brushing teeth as it brings a toddler along to bed, where blankets are “tucked round just right” and finally, kisses are given. it’s a lovely rhyme with potential to help along an evening and perhaps become a part of the ritual.
ABC Baby Me!
by Susan B. Katz
Robin Corey Books
ISBN: 978 0 375 86679 1
Audience: 0 – 5 years
At first glance, this abc about how we look after babies looks cute, but when you read it aloud, it turns into a real charmer of a rhyme, too, like this example:
“Mommy me, Nuzzle me, Oops … I need a bib/
Peek-a-boo, Quiet me, Rock me in my crib.”
The illustrations are soft, but not too sweet, and I’ve given this a broader age range partly because the rhyme makes a great shared read, and partly because it is a great one to read to older children about babies and what they need. This is another one going to work for sharing at storytime!
Great! Another place to find useful information about books to look out for and maybe order up. I mostly just pick things up from the sorting trolleys that’s newly returned… so much for selecting!