by Simms Taback
Wow, this blog is really languishing. I\’ve just been very slow at reading Working. In the meantime, however, I\’ve made the happy discovery that the new-to-me public library branch has a huge selection of board books, so we\’ve been bringing them home in piles. The little one will run over when I say \”let\’s read a story. Go get a book!\” and pull one out of her bottom shelf. This is one of her favorites lately.
Where is My Friend? has, like most baby books, a simple premise. On each spread an animal (usually looking dejected) asks where is my friend? then you turn a flap, his face becomes a smile or surprised expression, and a second animal is revealed standing next to him. I like that the animal pairings match their environments: the zebra has an ostrich friend, the hippo a flamingo, the seal is with a penguin, kangaroo with a koala, moose with a turkey (who looks cross for some reason). As a final pair we meet a little boy who has a dog friend, and at the very end all the animals march across the page together. It\’s cute, but I don\’t really care for the artwork. It just doesn\’t appeal to me. However, my daughter really likes turning those flaps to find all the different animals, so for her it\’s a good book.
Rating: 3/5 …….. 16 pages, 1984
2 Responses
Yes, the perfect sort of book keeps Mommy entertained for 50 or so readings, too.But at least she's learning that books are her friends!
You are so right!