Beautiful Oops!

Barney Saltzberg (2010), 28 pages

Audience: all ages

Format: board book

Can you take a crumbled piece of paper and make it into a sheep’s coat? Can you turn a scrap piece of paper into something interesting? Why, yes you can! This book reminds everyone that mistakes are okay. In fact, making mistakes is a part of life – so why not celebrate them! Author and illustrator, Saltzberg delivers this message in a very creative and innovative way. Using a series of flaps, pop ups, and die cuts he produced a fun, interactive, and imaginative book that people (at any age) will appreciate. With some ingenuity, “Oops! A torn piece of paper” becomes a wide-smiling crocodile or watch as a little paint spill morphs into … a collection of purple puppies, a family of birds, even an elephant. Satlzberg proves that no matter the mistake, whether torn paper, a drip of paint, a stain, a hole, etc … it’s just a chance to make something unique and interesting. This board book is constructed well with durable, glossy pages … so that even young children can enjoy moving the pages and gain motor skills. Each interactive element is surprising and delightful for more details check out the publisher’s promotional video. It may just inspire you to get crafty and go make some mistakes of your own! With it’s movable parts, bright colors, and creative design-this book is both fun and functional and the authors message is timeless … mistakes provide an opportunity to be creative and imaginative and more importantly they are an opportunity to create something new … something beautiful!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Lines that Wiggle by Candace Whitman, or The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

Other books by this author: Kisses, Peekaboo Kisses, Crazy Hair Day, Star of the Week, Baby Animal Kisses, The Flying Garbanzos, and Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed?

Starfall.com
Starfall Education (2002-present)

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: website

Starfall Education offers ABC games for children, “when learning to read, students who understand the basic sounds of the language can apply letter-sound relations with greater ease” (2011). The ABCs Let's Get Ready to Read is an introduction to letter sounds. This free tutorial full of interactive and audio-visual elements is a resource designed to help children gain letter knowledge and phonemic awareness in a playful manner. For instance, children can hear the variant sounds of letter “S” online or try learning letters using sign language. This ABCs Let's Get Ready to Read program is also available as a free iPhone or iPod app. Companies such as Starfall provide entertaining and educational electronic tools for this age group, but parents can also practice alphabet recognition in other ways using simple activities such as tracing letters in sand, identifying letters on signs, or playing “I spy” with children.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you like this resource you may like: Mr. Wee and Boo by WeeTeachIt

Other programs by Starfall Education: Learn to Read (early beginning reader), It's Fun to Read, and I'm Reading

Where’s Spot? The Original Lift-the-Flap Book

Eric Hill (1980), 24 pages

Audience: toddlers

Format: board book

A popular book for over thirty years … this book has become one of the classic mainstays of a child’s library. Hill combines large text, bright illustrations, and picture flaps making this story very interactive and engaging –an appealing storybook for pre-readers! As the title suggests Spot (the puppy) has gone missing. Children are encouraged to find Spot in a variety of locations (in the piano, under the stairs, under the bed, etc) by lifting up embedded picture flaps. This exploratory motion is great for kids as it helps keep them engaged in the story and follow along as the adult reads. This book is especially useful for toddlers who are developing motor skills; parents should welcome their child’s participation and ask them to lift the flaps. Hill has created an entire Spot series, which follows the pup through several adventures – examples include Spot Goes to the Farm or Spot’s First Easter. This original book is a great one to start with and one that young children will enjoy!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Tails by Matthew Van Fleet, Peek-a-Moo! or Peek-a-Boooo! by Marie Torres Cimarusti

Other books by this author: Spot Goes to the Farm, Spot’s First Easter, Spot Loves His Daddy, Spot Loves His Mommy, Spot Goes to the Beach, Who’s There, Spot?

TumbleBooks: eBooks for kids

300 + titles, 160 games

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: website

TumbleBooks a library collection of eBooks for kids, “created by adding animation, sound, music, and narration to existing picture books in order to produce an electronic picture book which you can read, or have read to you” (TumbleBooks, Inc., 2011). This collection is impressive, easily navigated, sorted by author, title, and reading level (displays include a book’s cover, synopsis, basic bibliographic information, and reviews). One of the nicest features is that users can personalize their account by selecting favorites and adding items to playlists. These eBooks are engaging and entertaining to watch and will appeal to a young audience. The web site offers other interactive elements such as quizzes, games, and language learning (books in Spanish and French), but the books are available offline as well, users can install TumblePad 2.0 software for Macs or PC to access the books.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this resource, you may like: NOOKbooks for kids produced by Barnes&Noble or iPad eBooks and apps for kids

Between the Lions

PBS Kids (2000-2011), 30 minutes

Audience: Pre-K

Format: television show and website

Funded by the Corporation of Public Broadcasting and the U.S. Department of Education’s Ready to Learn grant, PBS Kids produces a variety of television shows for children with an emphasis on reading and early literacy skills, such as Between the Lions, a puppet show featuring a family of literate lions. Main characters Lionel and Leona (cubs) and their parents read a couple stories (examples include Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and I miss you Stinky Face) whilst intersected by other animated vignettes highlighting certain letters, words, and vocabulary from supplemental character skits such as Gawain’s Word, Information Hen, and Word Cup Masters. Using puppetry and simple animation –this show manages to be both educational and entertaining.

As an accompaniment or supplementary tool to their television programming, PBS Kids offers companion computer games that foster literacy skills. Kids can try several Between the Lions inspired games, examples include Fuzzy Lion Ears (kids can pretend they have fuzzy lion ears –listening to words they can match the missing sound to the correct letter and make the word whole again), Pounce! (children can practice word matching by “pouncing” or clicking on each appropriate word) or Word Play (where words are displayed and animated to act out their meaning –for instance the word “vanish” actually disappears or the word “pop” bursts off the screen). Combining clear instructions with a simple interface makes digital games easy to use and appropriate for young children. Although interactive games can be simulating for kids and engage their literacy skills, parental involvement cannot be circumnavigated; parents are still encouraged to model these skills.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this TV show, you may like: Reading Rainbow, Olivia, Sesame Street, or Toddworld

Other television shows by PBS Kids: Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Caillou, Sid the Science Kid, WordGirl, and The Electric Company

Super Why!

PBS Kids (2007-present), 24 minutes

Audience: pre-K

Format: television show

PBS Kids’ Super Why! stages a quartet of characters: Whyatt, Pig, Red Riding Hood, and Princess Pea who have adventures in Storybook Land. These friends transform into Super Readers with reading readiness powers: Alpha-Pig, Wonder Red (word power), Princess Presto (spelling) and Super Why (power to read) as they search out clues and solve problems using words, letters, and reading skills. This program asks for viewer participation using open-ended questions to add interactive elements, examples include “what letter comes after P?” and “what sound does “F” make?” These prompting techniques can be beneficial, helping to build a child’s vocabulary and phonemic awareness.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this TV show, you may like: Blue’s Clues or Dora the Explorer

Other television shows by PBS Kids: Word World, Martha Speaks, and The Cat and the Hat Know a Lot About That!

The Black Book of Colors

Menena Cottin (2008), 24 pages

Illustrated by Rosana Faria

Translated by Elisa Amado

Audience: All ages

Format: picture book

This is quite possibly the most unusual and innovative children’s books I’ve ever seen. Originally written in Spanish as El Libro Negro de los Colores, this book has now been translated into several other languages, including English, French, and German. Printed in black ink on black paper –this book explores Tomas’s world of color –without actually using any!

For most sighted people it’s impossible or unfathomable to imagine seeing through taste, touch, or smell. Well, this book explores just that … what would it be like to experience color using alternative sensory experiences? Take yellow, for instance, “Thomas says that yellow tastes like mustard, but is soft as a baby chick’s feathers.” The color red is another story ... “red is sour like unripe strawberries and as sweet as watermelon. It hurts when he finds it on his scraped knee.” As the story builds, each color is uniquely described and accompanied by an image for a multisensory experience. A truly fascinating way to explore color! Text is printed in Braille at the top of each page, then translated in crisp white lettering at the bottom; line drawings are engraved and embossed into the paper (creating a textured-image experience). A complete Braille alphabet is included at the end the book.

This book works double duty as an educational tool to discuss the senses, such as touch, smell, taste, etc and as a way to explore color ... for instance, have children close their eyes and describe colors ... what is blue? what is green? Using these techniques I bet you'll discover a whole new world of color!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Is it Rough? Is It Smooth? Is It Shiny? by Tana Hoban or Through Grandpa’s Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan

Other books by this author: Numeros/Numbers, Equilibrio/Balance, and Al Reves/Upside Down

I’m All Ears: Sing into Reading

Fran Avni (1999), 46:39 minutes

Audience: All ages

Format: CD

Twenty-three songs feature rhythmic beats and lyrics that teach children early literacy skills. Each song helps children develop reading readiness skills. For example rhyming techniques are used in “Name Game” (rhyme recognition) and “Good for You” (rhyme completion). Alliteration is featured in numerous songs including “Chugga choo choo,” “Lily,” and “One Wet Windy Wednesday.” Phonemic awareness (sound deletion, isolation, and blending) is highlighted in several songs such as “Pineapple,” “Topsy Turvy” and “Fiddle Around with the Middle Sound.” This CD makes learning educational and fun at the same time!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this CD, you may like: Singing Sounds: Songs for Learning Early Speech Sounds

Other CDs by this artist: Little Ears: 27 Songs for Reading Readiness and Tuning Into Nature-Songs and Activities about the Earth

Peek-a-Who?

Nina Laden (2000), 10 pages

Audience: babies

Format: board book

Looking for a book to entertain your infant? Look no further. With bold graphic illustrations, creative cutouts, and rhythmic rhyme Laden's take on the classic peek-a-boo board book is the perfect read! Entertaining for both baby and adult; the short, quick rhymes are great for reading aloud, especially fun is the last line where the author writes …Peek-a-Who? … Peek-a-You ... appropriately ending with a foil mirror on the final page for the baby to look at! Published as a sturdy board book means it should hold up to the wear and tear of little hands. For additional reading, pair with In My Nest by Sara Gillingham or Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. Or try incorporating some games ... babies love playing the classic game of Peek-a-boo; play a round after reading to start teaching your baby basic motor skills.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: In My Nest by Sara Gillingham

Other books by this author: Button Noses, Who Loves You Baby? and Ready, Set, Go!

Baby’s Beginnings: Colors

So Smart (2009), 30 minutes

Audience: babies

Format: DVD

Instrumental music, soft narration, and colorful animation combined make learning colors fun for babies and parents! In short intervals (for a total playing time of 30 minutes), seven colors are featured in separate segments allowing babies to learn easily and at their own pace. All seven colors (green, purple, blue, yellow, orange, red, and pink) are brought to life using simple shapes and cute animated animals! This video is charming, sweet, and imaginative -a great teaching tool for parents and infants.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this DVD, you may like: Crazy for Color produced by The BumbleBee Kids Studio

Other products by So Smart: Baby’s First-Word Stories: Pets, Beginning Shapes, Beginning Letters

Language Nursery

Baby Einstein (2002), 62 minutes

Audience: babies

Format: DVD

The Baby Einstein Language Nursery video presents babies with short, colorful vignettes in eight different languages: Japanese, Russian, English, Hebrew, German, Italian, French, and Spanish. The video features traditional rhymes, songs, numbers, alphabets, and lullabies by native speakers and uses very simple imagery (close-ups shots of dolls and toys along with minimal graphics), engages babies’ sense of sight and sound. The DVD contains additional footage of flashcards (29 different vocabulary words) and a video tutorial, which instructs the parents on how to watch the video while interacting with their baby. The Baby Einstein brand declares that the videos should be used in conjunction with parent interaction, citing “that parent-child interaction is one of the most critical elements to the development of a healthy and happy baby during the first three years of life” (Baby Einstein Company, 2007, ¶ 2). Additional videos concentrate on other subjects, such as music (Baby Mozart and Baby Bach), poetry (Baby Shakespeare), and colors (Baby Van Gogh). An excellent source for parents and babies will find the content appealing and fun!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this DVD, you may like: Little Pim (Series) produced by The Little Pim Co.

Other products by Baby Einstein: Discovering Shapes, Baby Mozart, and Neighborhood Animals

What Rhymes with Eel? A word-picture flap book

Harriet Ziefert (1996), 16 pages

Illustrated by Rick Brown

Audience: babies, toddlers

Format: picture book

Children and parents will love this interactive picture book! By removing one letter in the word and replacing it –new words are formed. For instance, remove the “C” in Carrot and replace with “P” … what do you get? Parrot; a perfect tool to teach phonemic-isolation and segmentation plus the rhymes are easy to sound out, allowing children to hear the blending between the sounds.

Use this book in addition to ReadWriteThinks' Construct-A-Word game to boost phonemic awareness; for instance, participants can try finding all the "ig" or "an" words. Parents and educators can practice this technique on their own (just remember to speak slowly and elongate sounds) by asking kids what certain sounds words make, such as b/at (bat), l/ate (late), or s/and (sand), a great way to learn onset rhymes!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Dear Zoo: A Lift the Flap Book by Rod Campbell

Other books by this author: Who said Moo? Lift the Flap Book and Where is My Friend? A Hide and Peek Book