Baby books: 12 - 18 months
On the Move, by Shaynie Morris and Laura Dollin, illustrated by
Kay Widdowson
 This is my
favourite title so far in the very economically-priced, hand-sized My
World series, and though it's small, there's lots to say about
it.
Although the icon on the back cover says the book is appropriate for
children two years and over, the sound effects integrated into the
artwork and main text mean that it works really well with younger
children too. The story is about a boy who receives a letter from his
Nan. He feels so excited that he replies straight away, and is shown
posting the letter. Then we see the journey of the letter: 'chweeeeeeeeeeeee
in an aeroplane, high in the sky, And a chucka-chuck helicopter chucka-chucks
by then onto a train again, chuffity-chooo! It's nearly there, chuffity,
nearly there, choo!' The final pages re-visit the journey of the letter
and the main vehicles encountered along the way, and the final peaceful
page shows Nan reading it on a veranda by the sea.
The colourful illustrations manage to pack in lots of discussion
points without making the images too complex. Like all good books, it's
multi-layered, one extra level here being very child-centred. Looking
closely at the illustrations, you'll see that the boy and his dog follow
the progress of the letter themselves, flying the helicopter, driving
the car, and even sailing in a little boat on the sea next to Nan's
veranda.
Dad of a one-year-old comments: "This is a tricky age for books.
I really like a proper rhyme or story, but it can't be too complex for
my daughter. She likes me to a have a lilt in my voice, and this book
lets me do that!'
Published by Egmont, price 99p
Miffy's Birthday, written and illustrated by Dick Bruna
 Here's a
cheerful fold-out book with four simple integrated jigsaw puzzles.
Some novelty books look impressive, but don't work well with the text.
Here the whole concept has been well thought through. The story is
about Miffy's birthday, and the first jigsaw scene shows Miffy washing
herself. This image breaks up into four puzzle pieces and underneath
we see Miffy smiling out at the reader, wearing her best dress. There
follows an image of three birthday parcels, which, when broken into
four jigsaw pieces, reveals her presents underneath. The text at the
bottom of the page is careful not to give away the surprises too.
Published by Methuen, £4.99
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