Spring Board Book Round-up, Part II
New Original Board Books
Adams, Rosie. Little Chick: A Touch and Feel Book. Illus. by Laura Silveira. Tiger Tales, 01/2025. [10p]. $7.99. 978-1-6643-5153-0.
Using a rhyming text, Little Chick searches the farm for a dry place to sleep due to the rain. Each spread contains a fabric insert to represent the fur of the various animals (similar to the classic Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt). Not particularly original but this will be popular.
Hegarty, Particia. First Words: An Interactive Books, with Tracks to Trace and Flaps to Lift! Illus. by Summer Macon. Tiger Tales, 02/2025. [20p]. $8.99. 978-1-6643-5152-3.
In this book that promotes writing and literacy, each page has a large word with arrows urging the reader to trace each letter. Below the word is a flap that reveals a related word and a picture; for example, Cat is the main word and a mouse is under the accompanying flap. The tracing activity will help young children learn their letters and how to print the letters, while the flaps will help them guess more words. This is a great interactive book with wide appeal.
Powell-Tuck, Maudie. Hank Goes Peck. Illus. by Duncan Beedie. Tiger Tales, 2/2025. [20p]. $9.99. 978-1-6643-5154-7.
Hank the goose goes around the farm pecking away, disturbing the other animals. At one point, he makes the mistake of pecking the bull! The dry humor is likely to appeal most to older toddlers and preschoolers. The full color cartoonish artwork has die-cut holes wherever Hank has pecked, which add interest.
New Board Book Series
Franklin, Anna. “BabyVision” series. Illus. by Andy Passchier. Child’s Play, 2024/2025. [12p]. $6.99 each.
Illusions. 978-1-78628-972-8.
Patterns. 978-1-78628-973-5.
What’s Next? 978-1-78628-970-4.
Which One? 978-1-78628-971-1.
Based on the science of a baby’s brain, these distinctive board books can act like a guessing game for very young children. Each spread features a large illustration of an item, then asks the baby to find the matching item in the facing page. Or, the parent and child will look at matching patterns, or cause and effect examples. The deeply saturated colors of the blocky artwork will help a baby find the different items to pick out, making this a great choice for learning.
Habib, Grace. “Suki Cat” series. Nosy Crow, 03/2025. [8p]. $9.99 each.
Suki Cat: Doctor. 979-8-88777-138-0.
Suki Cat: Farmer. 979-8-88777-134-2
In this series that began in 2024, a blue cat plays at doing various jobs, including a dancer and astronaut. In these two new entries. Suki is a doctor who takes X-rays and puts on a bandage, and a farmer who loads hay and looks for lost cows. Each spread has a sturdy slider that will engage children in opening a door or moving things around. This is both useful and likely to be popular.
Klassen, Jon. “Your Places” series. Candlewick, 02/2025. [24p] $8.99 each.
Your Farm. 978-1-5362-3082-6.
Your Forest. 978-1-5362-3083-3.
Your Island. 978-1-5362-3081-9.
Each of these three subtle but memorable board books begin with “This is your sun. It is coming up for you.” Then it goes on to describe other aspects of the land it is focused on. For example, for the island, we also see a palm tree, a bird, and a campfire that never goes out, all set on stark white backgrounds. These books work as both simple stories or as beginning readers, with Klassen’s distinctive artwork.
Light, Steve. Gus & Sully Ready for School. Candlewick, 03/2025. [16p]. $7.99. 978-1-5362-3864-8.
In this sequel to Gus & Sully Watch the Weather (2024), a rhino and mouse start their day and then go off to school. The simple, relatable text and the cartoon artwork will grab the attention of preschoolers who will be able to read some of the words. A welcome addition to this series.
Ma, Daishu. Ada, Look at My Teeth! “Ada’s World of Fun” series. Candlewick, 01/2025. [22p]. $7.99. 978-1-5362-3547-0.
In this cartoonish board book, a little Black girl interacts with various animals. In this entry in the series, animals display their teeth for Ada to examine, comparing differences like small and large, or straight and curved. The brightly colored artwork adds to the fun. Toddlers will appreciate these fun stories that subtly convey concepts.
Board Book Adaptations of Picture Books
Ham, Jo. Yippee! Rabbit. Candlewick, 2025/2023. [26p]. $8.99. 978-1-5362-4133-4.
Originally published in 2023 as a picture book, this story is very well suited to the board book format. A little black rabbit (which looks like a silhouette) does various activities, repeating the word “Yippee!” after each one. For example, he runs and flies a kite, but stops when it is tangled in a tree. The text is very brief, often just “Rabbit go” and “Rabbit stop,” with equally simple black, white, and blue artwork. A great choice for libraries. Part of the series that includes Uh-Oh! Rabbit, and the forthcoming Shh! Rabbit and Oops! Rabbit.
Prasadam-Halls, Smriti. Our Gorgeous Baby. Illus. by Eve Coy. Candlewick, 2025/2024. [24p]. $8.99. 978-1-5362-3932-4.
In this rhyming story, a parent describes how their baby is not perfect but still loved. The full color artwork depicts a multiethnic family, including a mother with straight black hair. The rhymes can be awkward but the message is nice.
Penny Peck, SJSU iSchool
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