ODT books editor Helen Speirs reviews board books for babies and toddlers.
FREDDY BEAR AT THE BEACH
Upstart Press
Freddy Bear is a new character from New Zealand author Joy Cowley, depicting the early stages of child development.
Mother Bear is getting Freddy dressed to go to the beach with his father, but since Freddy is potty training, it's not all plain sailing!
Simple rhyming text carries the action along, and the bears are beautifully drawn by Philip Webb.
A second title is Freddy Bear and the Green Peas, reminiscent of Dr Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham.
KANOHI (MY FACE)
KAKAHU (GETTING DRESSED)
KARAREHE (ANIMALS)
Kitty Brown & Kirsten Parkinson
Reo Pepi
These new titles, by Dunedin mothers Kitty Brown and Kirsten Parkinson, are a welcome addition to the New Zealand board book stable.
They are written in both te reo Maori and English, and introduce the basics: from identifying parts of the face, to getting dressed (it's Dunedin, so naturally involves donning jacket, hat and scarf and gloves!) to domestic and farm animals.
I love the simple concepts, and the illustrations are lifelike and charming.
A great resource.
