My bookdealer came through for me again. This time I had around a half dozen finished, real life, copies of titles (though all are officially due April 2024). I will start with Hello Body! Hello Face! (or Hello Face! Hello Body! I’ve seen it both ways) as it was the one that slipped out of the package first, and since I had a few minutes, read first. However, the rest were longer, and as I was at work, wait I must!
Hello Face by Aya Khalil is one of a series of board books with simple themes. In this one we see what the amazing things faces and its parts can do: sneeze, smile, etc. What makes it different from other books like this is not because it has photographs of the diverse babies (sizes, shapes, colors), but because two of the babies are non-traditional “perfectly cute” babies. One has a breathing/feeding tube (cover) and the last one is a baby with a cleft lift. These slight differences show representation without making it a focal point. It is there; it is normal; all babies are seen. And the cover of another in the series has a baby who has Down Syndrome, so these books are there for all.
Then I shall speak about Can You Find Doug’s Dog? by Jane Caston. This book is clever with the “can you pick out the (fill in the blank) thing” to help Doug find his missing dog? Such as can you find a dog that is small? Or the one with a certain type of nose? Or the one with spots? And even the color will be important. Of course, there are a few twists to give an edge of humor, plus interactive things such as shaking the book when you realize the dogs are muddy. The art of Carmen Saldana sets the tone of the book with the not realistic imagery, but also not abstract. It is easy to view, cute, and allows the book to have character. Great for the child learning shapes, sizes, and other similar concepts and could also be for a need help with reading reader.
| Last but not least, we have Firefly Galaxy. This is a not realistic, but not abstract illustrated book that we come to expect from Barefoot Press. Estrellita Caracol has taken colors and mixed media to create a visual journey of a little girl and her family on the night they go to catch fireflies. There are extras talking about how to do this, plus the dos and don’ts of this activity. Also included are some firefly facts. Overall, Sarah Nelson’s story is cozy as it is one we’ve seen before (spending time with your family, enjoying nature). Yet, their approach makes things have a bounce to make it also feel new. The illustrators were my favorite part, as there were little things that help take the familiar and give it kick, but both pair well, making this a fun new book. |
