My family had the chance to review three books from Candlewick Press. One of the books we had the chance to read was Miles to Go by Jamie Harper. This book is about a preschooler, Miles, driving to school in his own car with mom following. The recommended ages on this book are 3-6. My 4-year-old son, Mitchell enjoyed this book.
Its’ simple sentences describe what Miles goes through on his way to school in the way a preschooler might think and talk. Miles is definitely on a mission! “Red light. C’mon green.” Miles revs his engine. GO! Watch out for the 4- wheeler! UH-OH! NO HORN!”
This book is nice because the text is simple and it provides opportunities to talk about what is happening in the illustrations. There are also a lot of environmental words and sounds that are written into the illustrations allowing the reader to point out all those words and talk about what they say, have the child think about what the word that is next to the dog might be, and discuss why the words are part of the pictures.
The illustrations are colorful and cute and provide a lot to talk about with your child. Even the inside front and back covers show maps of Miles’ journey to and from school which allows for even more discussion. This is definitely a book that can be read many times and something new can be noticed and discussed each time.
The other two books we received were board books by Leslie Patricelli, Tubby and Potty.
You may have heard of or read some of the other books by this author like “Baby HAPPY Baby SAD” or “BIG Little.” I know we recently borrowed “Yummy YUCKY” from the library and both of my kids, Mitchell and Camryn, who is 21 months, loved it.
The illustrations show the baby eating two comparable things and, of course, one is yummy and one is yucky like apple pie and mud pie. There are few words on each page and simple illustrations that grab the child’s attention.
Well the two new books I received were the same way. The baby is back and sharing some new experiences: using the potty and taking a bath.
When we received the books in the mail, my son Mitchell was right next to me on the couch laughing as we read them and he is 4. The recommended ages on the books are 1-3, but the older kids get and enjoy the silliness of these books. Camryn, when she finally got a chance to read the books, loved them too.
After having them read to her a few times, she started reading them herself. She’ll say, “potty book” when she’s looking for “Potty.” In this one, the baby has to go but has to decide whether to go in a diaper or in the potty and then finally has success at the end. When Camryn gets to the success page she says “tinkle tinkle toot” (the words in the book) and laughs. So cute.
“Tubby” is also very engaging for Camryn and it’s about a routine she is very familiar with. She amazes me as I watch her go through the books saying the words on the pages. She picked them up so quickly from this book, and she loves reading them over and over again-typical toddler behavior.
We recommend all three of these Candlewick Press books to anyone who has toddlers and preschoolers in their lives. The books are sure to capture their interest and encourage their imagination.
Thank you to Candlewick Press for providing the books for review. No compensation was received. The opinions are mine and that of my family.
After reading kids’ books to my niece and nephew, it amazes me the complexity that can be hidden behind so few words. People think children’s books are easy to write…they have no idea the art behind it.
I love the title of the 2 wired, 2 tired feature and the photos that show such little children engrossed in reading/studying Candlewick books!! :-)
Virginia