Valentino Finds a Home by Andy Whiteside

What a cute little book. Valentino is a little guinea pig who has decided to run away from Bolivia where he would be someone’s dinner. Through a mis-adventure, Valentino ends up in a pet store and, eventually, to the home of a little girl. The language is a little more advanced than the target age (3-7) but not so difficult that they couldn’t understand it being read to them or learn the words. Sensitive children might not like the fact that Valentino is being raised for food in the beginning but that’s only mention for the first couple of pages. The illustrations are fun and bright. They will engage even a reluctant reader. The guinea pig is so cute that I found myself going back a page to see him again before moving on. Animal lovers will love the pictures.

Cradle Me by Debby Slier

A sweet board book featuring babies in cradle boards. This is a neat peek into a Native American tradition. Each baby displays an emotion which is labeled at the bottom of each page with one word. Under each word is a line for the parent (or other adult presenting the book to the baby) to write the word in their own language.
I think this was an amazing book even though it’s only 7 pages long. Not only do you get the joy of darling babies but the cradle boards are so beautiful. It’s a glimpse into a culture for anyone who is interested. For those who speak a Native language (or any other than English) it’s a chance to preserve some of those words.
I’m thinking this might be a book worth giving to my niece who turns 1 this summer. Her mom is from Brazil so she could write the words in Portuguese for them to share the book.

Up Cat by Hazel Hutchins

A companion board book to Up Dog, this book explores more ways we use the word up. The cat in this book is less mischievous that the dog (or maybe it’s just better at not getting in trouble). The book is still a delight to read. I really like Hazel Hutchins’ board books and look forward to seeing more.
I highly recommend these books, they are a delight and a joy to read.

Up Dog by Hazel Hutchins

This is a darling book. A sweet story about a puppy who gets into a little mischief. The story is told in the various ways we use the word “Up”.
The illustrations are simple, colorful and just a delight to look at. The words are simple enough to be an introduction to reading. I can easily see this book becoming a favorite of any young child.
I, almost, wish I could just have the illustrations to hang on my wall because the puppy is so cute. (Almost due to the lack of a small child in the house, I would have nowhere to hang the pictures that would not offend my teenager.)
This board book would make a great addition to any infant/toddler library. I can see it being a wonderful baby gift.