The RAHK Report for 6/1/18 (New Books Edition!)

Over the past few months, we have received a variety of books for review. Today, I want to share what we received and how the girls enjoyed them.

You're My Little Cuddle Bug by Nicola Edwards

This sturdy board book is a sweet love note from caregiver to baby in which little insects snuggle with their loving grown-ups. Each page features a cut-out insect, which is raised slightly so that babies can reach out and feel the shape. Both Jumping Joan (7 months) and Little Bo Peep (2.5 years) love this book and seem to enjoying hearing it repeatedly. Jumping Joan is drawn to the insects' faces, while Bo Peep seems to like hearing the names of the different bugs. We liked this one so much, we wound up recommending it to friends who have a 9 month old.

Colorama: From Fuchsia to Midnight Blue by Cruschiform

This book introduces the many shades of each color of the rainbow. The left-hand side of every spread is a giant block of color (like an over-sized paint sample) and the right-hand side shows an object in that shade, along with a little explanation. I was originally hoping to have Miss Muffet (age 4.5) look at this book during nap time, but she has shown very little interest. I think it's a fun concept, but it seems like more of a coffee table book for grown-ups than something kids are going to spend a lot of time on.

Adventures in Science: The Human Body by Courtney Acampora

This kit from Silver Dolphin Books was very well-received by Miss Muffet. It includes a paperback book, a poster of the human body with stickers showing each body system, fact cards, and a plastic model of a skeleton. Miss Muffet loved placing the stickers on the poster and she frequently asks to play with the "bone statue." Though the fact cards and book are geared toward an older audience, we found plenty to interest Miss Muffet and to satisfy some of the questions she had about things like blood and digestion. The skeleton is now on display in our living room, and we will be keeping him around for future homeschooling activities.

In the Rain by Elizabeth Spurr and Manelle Oliphant 

Bo Peep took a special liking to this book, which shows a little girl having fun outside her home during a rainstorm. We had a lot of rain this spring, so it reflected a lot of what Bo Peep was seeing in her real life. She also enjoys telling the story to Jumping Joan, who isn't that interested in the pictures or story, but is always happy to stick a corner of the cover in her mouth.

Dr. Seuss's 100 First Words

This oversized board looks appealing at first glance, but it quickly becomes apparent that at least some of the artwork is not Dr. Seuss's original work, but new art made by another illustrator in his style. The new pictures do not have the character or charm of Seuss's many beloved illustrations, and the whole concept for the book seems like a mediocre homage rather than a new Dr. Seuss book. Miss Muffet and Bo Peep have both had access to the book for weeks now, but neither has given it more than a quick glance. They enjoy word books and they love Dr. Seuss, but this book just didn't make a connection.