*Offspring Approved*
I have always acknowledged the danger of having a child of my own. You see, as a children’s librarian I deal with parents that truly believe that if their kid does or does not like a book, that is the final word on the matter. So if I try to suggest a book the child did not like they will curl their lips in severe distaste or, worse, try to have it removed from my collection. Likewise if I eschew a book the offspring adored they will assure me that it’s the best in my children’s room. Parents have a kind of selective tunnel vision with their heirs, which is understandable up to a point. And for eight years I’ve been a childless librarian with only my experience to call upon when reviewing books. Now the tables have turned. I find myself with a small human in my home and I become desperate to amuse her. Board books, once appreciated only in a vague theoretical way, are now for me mysterious godsends with secrets waiting to be uncovered. The danger I alluded to is that I will become one of those very parents I dislike, saying to the world that simply because my progeny likes a book, therefore all progeny everywhere will follow suit. This is not the case. With that in mind, just consider this a review that was once tested on a child of two months and held their interest. For what it’s worth.
Right from the cover onward this book works hard to suck in infant interest. Turn the cover and the wavy pattern on the boat becomes an ocean scene with a red fish cresting the waves. After that the book begins in earnest. “Rolling yarn, in a little house . . /” turn the page and, “Look! Here comes Kitty, ready to play! Meow, meow!” A checked pattern of red and white square that had previously been the makeup of the house now become a floor with a silhouette of a black cat in the upper right hand corner. Meanwhile the page you’ve just turned reveals that the house is now red and white too. This sets up the rest of the book. Patterns will appear within objects, and when you turn the page the colors of the objects will change and the patterns become something else. From black stripes to orange polka dots to green zigzags, Perrin creates patterns that seem to move when the eye takes them in. At the end of the book older children can identify the objects, colors, and animals that were spotted throughout.
Board books, those sturdy denizens of the nursery library, have never been more popular. At some point publishers realized that if they simply took already existing picture books and turned them into board book versions they could potentially double their sales. Some of these work. Many do not. Books that have always been board books from conception onward fare better with small fry, but they still n
Wonderful insight! I try not to judge books based on my child, though he loves pretty much everything except stuff that is basically so bad it’s unreadable. I did, however, lambast Legos and Star Wars for years because my son turned his nose up, and now have to eat humble pie daily because that is what my son currently lives and breathes for.
Welcome to motherhood and it’s constantly evolving opinions.
I love her look of intense wonder! An obvious hit.
My kids keep trying to get me to read them the Parents’ Guide volume of one of those supermarket sets of Disney books from I’m guessing the ’80s, no matter how much I insist it’s not a good book for reading together. I think there are definitely situations where our children’s opinions will not sway our own, and I’m pretty sure you’re mostly safe from being too swayed.
Thanks Betsy! I love the look on her face in each picture.
I went through this same thing when my kids were babies (they’re only 4, 4, and 5 now…)–that shift from critic of children’s lit to parent-of-kids-who-don’t-give-a-darn-about-children’s-literature-reviews-and-critics…. Happily, they usually enjoy great stuff. But board books, like you mentioned, weren’t even on my radar until I had a babe in arms. Suddenly, a whole new horizon opened up! One we really loved was Spring is Here by Taro Gomi. Perfect high contrast illustrations with enough beauty and interest for Mommy, too.
That, as you say, is the magic combo.
Did you say something? I was distracted by the cute.
My eldest got a library card at 6 weeks, just so I could check out stacks of board books. I was unprepared for that magic the first time.
And if you ever want to see a demonstration of just how meaningless one child’s opinion is, have another baby.