Can You Find Taylor? Seek-and-Find Board Book - ADVISABLE

Can You Find Taylor? Seek-and-Find BOARD BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2025. $10. 9781664351851

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, ADULT - GIFT - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Enjoy nine pages of Taylor Swift hunting. Lots of pages also have 13 other things to find. Swifties young and old will have a fun time searching on each page. Even after searching, you can still spend time enjoying each scene.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Bowie by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Ana Albero - HIGH

 Bowie by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Ana Albero. BOARD BOOK. Quarto, 2020. $10. 9781711246119 

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, ADULTS – OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

In 12 board book spreads, the story of David Bowie’s life comes alive. 

 I haven’t read any of the Little People Big Dreams from Quarto before – Now I need to prowl the list and buy my favorites! I was very pleasantly surprised at what a great overview of Bowie’s life this is. Vegara really knows her Bowie and Albero’s illustrations are a highlight. The book is only OPTIONAL because it is for the children of Bowie fans. But dive into the whole series and you will find plenty that you will want for yourself! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Where’s the Bear? by Ingela P. Arrhenius - ESSENTIAL

Where’s the Bear? by Ingela P. Arrhenius. BOARD BOOK. Nosy Crow, 2018. $9. 9781536202519

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

One page asks the reader where a particular animal is, and the opposite page has a felt flap with the animal behind it. The felt is in different shapes and made with vivid colors. The final page asks where the reader is and has a mirror behind the flap. 

We loved this book. Even as basic as it is, my first grader had fun with it. The art is engaging and the felt shapes are fun. I anticipate that little readers will ask for this book on repeat. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Goodnight Songs by Margaret Wise Brown - ADVISABLE

Goodnight Songs by Margaret Wise Brown. BOARD BOOK. Sterling Children’s Books, 2014. $8. 9781454927068

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This book includes twelve songs, each on a two page spread, with illustrations done by different artists. The songs read more like poetry and they don’t all have to do with going to sleep, but they do all have calm subject matters. 

The art is delightful and the poems have a consistently soothing cadence. My daughter really wanted them sung, per the title’s indication, which could be a positive for some readers, but singing a bedtime poem is not my strong suit. Some of the talented artists included in the book are Renata Liwska,Isabel Roxas, Eric Puybaret, and Carin Berger.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Splash and Bubbles: So Many Sea Creatures! by The Jim Henson Company - OPTIONAL

Splash and Bubbles: So Many Sea Creatures! by The Jim Henson Company. BOARD BOOK. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018. $8. 9781328852793.

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The characters from PBS's "Splash and Bubbles" are featured in this board book that focuses on counting from 1 to 5. Each page has 1 fish, 3 sharks, etc. along with some conversation with the stars of the TV show. Besides the counting there is a minimal of other information shared about the ocean.

This is the kind of board book you buy simply because you like the TV show its from. There is also some added appeal from the squishy fish tail sticking out the side of the book that will be a hit with babies. The bright colors are fun, but as a counting book this one is nothing to rave about.

Reviewer: TC

Hello Ninjas! by Joan Holub - ADVISABLE

Hello Ninjas! by Joan Holub, illustrated by Chris Dickason. BOARD BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2018. $9. 9781534418691

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Three Samurai give ten ninjas a challenge that leads them to a box of tacos. The Samurai have a hard time sharing though and take the tacos, and thus the ninjas, on a journey. When the ninjas catch up, they share a taco salad dinner.  

For being a board book, the plot was surprising hard to follow. Why did the ninjas give the challenge and then take the prize? What I did like was that instead of just a counting book, it led the reader to addition and subtraction concepts. When three ninjas knocked down a door, seven rushed inside, thus pairing numbers to equal ten. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Exotic Fruit by Huy Voun Lee - ESSENTIAL

Exotic Fruit by Huy Voun Lee. BOARD BOOK. Sterling Children’s Books, 2018. $8. 9781454928027

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

These book covers several exotic fruits with bright illustrations on contrasting backgrounds. For each fruit there is an illustration of the inside and the outside of the fruit, a description of the appearance and a description of the flavor and texture, the country of origin for the fruit, and alternate names. 

I learned about fruit I did not know from this book and my third grade daughter finished the book and wrote down a goal to try to every fruit in the book. My only complaint is that each fruit gets two pages of information, but they are not on one spread - one fruit is on the front and back side of a page. The book even includes tips at the back for how to find some of these lesser know fruits, suggesting you go to a Chinatown market for some. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Dump Truck's Colors by Sherri Duskey Rinker - ESSENTIAL

Rinker, Sherri Duskey Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site: Dump Truck's Colors, illustrated by Ethan Long. BOARD BOOK. Chronicle Books, 2018. $7. 9781452153209.

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

As Dump Truck goes about his day at work, the colors around get noted and highlighted--the blue skies, the gray smoke, the green pipes and more.

I really enjoyed this little board book. The text is written in thyme and the color words are highlighted in their color. The illustrations are very cheerful and fun, and I think this will be a big hit with young readers.

Reviewer: TC

You’re my Little Sweet Pea by Annette Bourland - ADVISABLE

You’re my Little Sweet Pea by Annette Bourland, illustrated by Kit Chase.  BOARD BOOK.  Zonderkidz, 2019.  $10. 9780310766568

BUYING ADVISORY:  GIFT - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

An adorable love song from a parent to a child.  Animal families dot the pages with softly colored illustrations.  A great gift idea for a baby shower or from a grandparent.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Food Hide and Sneak by Bastien Contraire - ESSENTIAL

Food Hide and Sneak by Bastien Contraire. BOARD BOOK. Phaidon, 2018. $10. 9780714877235

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K – ESSENTIAL.  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Each page is simply illustrated in pink and green shades and contains two rows of images, one of which is not like the others.  The catch is that the odd item out looks like the others. 

This book is very fun to look at. My favorite page is full of cans and jars of food plus a lighthouse, which really does blend in. There are no words after the first page and this will appeal to very young readers.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Why the Face? by Jean Jullien - ESSENTIAL

Why the Face? by Jean Jullien. BOARD BOOK. Phaidon, 2018. $15. 9780714877198

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K – ESSENTIAL.  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

One page asks, “Why the face?” and the opposing page has an illustration with someone making a dramatic face. When you lift the flap with the face on it you see what caused the face. 

This book is so much fun. It’s fun to guess what the face is for and it’s funny when you learn whats behind the flap. My favorite is a dazed face with technology behind the flap.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School - NO

The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Dan Hanna.  BOARD BOOK Farrar Straus Grioux, 2014.  $8.  9780374308520  

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - NO  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW  

Mr. Fish is headed off to his first day of school and is excited, but when he gets there he is lost.  As Mr. Fish tries to find the correct classroom, he gets more and more discouraged.  Just as he is about to quit school, his teacher finds him and shows him that he is going to fit right in.  

Pout-Pout Fish books are adorable, but this one is not.  I had so much anxiety for Mr. Fish as he was lost at school on his first day, trying classroom after classroom, but he was always in the wrong place.  If you want to give your child anxiety about all the ways the first day of school can go wrong, read this to them.  Also, this doesn’t work as a board book because it has a lot of text and Mr. Fish’s school setting seems more like a middle school not a preschool.  

C. Peterson

Dia del los Muertos by Hannah Eliot - ADVISABLE

Dia del los Muertos by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Jorge Gutierrez. BOARD BOOK. Little Simon (Simon & Schuster), 2018. $9. 9781534415157

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

This brightly illustrated book explains is detail the parts of, and reasons behind, Dia de los Muertos. Naming many things by their Spanish word, but otherwise all in English, this book covers the food, flowers, and decorations used. This book also discusses the motivation to honor ancestors through this holiday. 

I know that many early elementary kids might balk at being read a board book, but there is so much information in this book that it would be an appropriate read for kids past the board book stage. I think this book is an easy addition to any unit about traditions and cultures, or also to be read at the time of year Dia de los Muertos is celebrated. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Splash and Bubbles: My Colorful Reef by The Jim Henson Company - OPTIONAL

Splash and Bubbles: My Colorful Reef by The Jim Henson Company. BOARD BOOK. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018. $8.
9781328852762.

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MEDIUM

The stars of PBS's "Splash and Bubbles" are featured in this board book about colors. Bubbles is pink, Splash is yellow, and they take you through other characters of various colors--all living together in the big Blue ocean!

This is a fine board book that will be more interesting to fans of the television show than to the average reader. Babies will like the stuffed fin sticking out of the book--it has a nice crunchy sound to it--but other than that unique feature there is nothing too extraordinary about the book. I did like that the text detailed a few interesting facts about the fish besides just their color, but overall this is just a book about colors. And there are better color books out there.

Reviewer: TC

What’s Your Favorite Color by Eric Carle and Friends - ESSENTIAL

What’s Your Favorite Color by Eric Carle and Friends. BOARD BOOK. Godwin Books (Henry Holt and Company), 2017. $9. 9781250184207

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In this book, different picture book illustrators describe their favorite color and pair it will an illustration of their own creation. The illustration is dominated by the color they chose as their favorite.There are fifteen colors and illustrations. 

I love the concept behind this book of having different illustration styles and different claims on a favorite color. It was be fun to use in a lesson on the parts of book, specifically talking about the illustrator. It could also be used in a colors unit or a favorite things unit. It would be an easy writing prompt to have students follow the formate of the book by picking a favorite color, writing why it is their favorite color, and drawing a picture. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos - ESSENTIAL

Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Joy Ang.  BOARD BOOK Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. $13  9781328910486  

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K -ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

Baby Billy is born with a mustache.  A nurse tells Billy’s parents that they will have to wait to see if it’s a good guy mustache or a bad guy mustache, and at first it is obvious Billy is a good guy.  One day however, Billy’s mustache curls up on the ends and he starts to act bad.  When he is thrown into baby jail (in his crib), her starts to realize his wrongs and mend his ways.  His father acknowledges that everyone has bad mustache days and Billy is able to have a playdate with his neighbor (a little boy with a beard).  

This book is adorable.  The criminal acts that Billy commits are hilarious, and the illustrations are funny.  I love the message that sometimes we have a bad day, but everyone gets another chance.  This is a must read!  

C. Peterson

Whose Boat? by Toni Buzzeo & Tom Froese - ADVISABLE

Whose Boat? by Toni Buzzeo & Tom Froese, BOARD BOOK Abrams Appleseed (Abrams), 2018. $10,

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE K - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Do you know all the people who work in the harbor? This lift the page book gives a clue about the boat they use, shows a labeled picture of the boat's parts and then when you lift the page you see the job of the person who works on the boat. The harbormaster, the tugboat pilot, the car ferry captain and 3 more. 

 For children who love boats, this is a great board book. The labeled parts are accurate in informative, and it's good to learn about all the different boats.   So much on each page and fun to guess the job.

Lisa Librarian

Huggy the Python Hugs Too Hard by Ame Dyckman - ESSENTIAL

Huggy the Python Hugs Too Hard by Ame Dyckman, BOARD BOOK Little Simon (Simon and Schuster), 2018. $9.  978-1-534-41080-0

BUYING ADVISORY:  PRE-K ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Huggy the Python breaks the things he loves the most, because he hugs too hard. Balloons, ice cream . . . he also loves fuzzy little dogs. Wait, Huggy will need your help to show him how nicely and soft you can hug the dog.

 Oh my goodness, the facial expressions on Huggy are the best! I can't stop handing this to people (even adults) to get their reactions. This is so cute, and so much fun.

Lisa Librarian

Roary the Lion Roars Too Loud, by Ame Dyckman - ADVISABLE

Roary the Lion Roars Too Loud, by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Alex G Griffiths, BOARD BOOK  Little Simon (Simon and Schuster), 2018. $9.  978-1-534-41078-7

BUYING ADVISORY: ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Little Roary is a lion who can't control the volume of his roar! He startles everyone - even when roaring "thank you" but when he needs to tell the baby good night, he will need some help from the reader. 

Part of the Wee Beasties series, the darling illustrations and a fun, predictable text make this a great read aloud/bedtime story.

Lisa Librarian

The Little School Bus by Margery Cuyler- ADVISABLE

The Little School Bus by Margery Cuyler illustrated by Bob Kolar, BOARD BOOK Henry Holt (MacMillan). 2014 (Board Book edition 2018). $8.

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Read about Driver Bob and his School bus doing their job. Picking up kids, keeping them safe, driving through town, they are even ADA compliant!  This is a happy little school bus! 

Large, bold illustrations with other things happening on the pages too, so there are fun things to point at. Rhyming text helps the early reader, or the non reader to learn the story.

Lisa Librarian