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CM . . .
. Volume XXIII Number 3. . . .September 23, 2016
excerpt:
A simple idea, yet so clever: Sara Gillingham enables your wee-one to partake in the storytelling by spinning Busy Baby’s face from happy to concerned or vice versa depending on the situation Busy Baby is in. From overflowing recycling and a bustling ice cream truck to meeting new friends and cleaning up, these two books represent many everyday dilemmas that a young toddler might find himself or herself in. Young readers have a chance to put themselves in Busy Baby’s shoes and to decide how Busy Baby will deal with the situation – with a smile or anxiety. Both brightly coloured books use mostly primary colours, such as red, yellow, and blue, with a little green added in for accent. Busy Baby is the only human, and his friends consist of a variety of approachable, cartoony animals who are consistent from one book to the next. There are lots of visual details not mentioned in the text which enriches the reading experience as the young reader can pick out familiar shapes, instruments, and other everyday objects as the pages are turned. As a parent myself, I can see the potential for these books as a concrete way to open a discussion with your child about emotions, feelings, self-control, and overall attitude. In every situation, we make a choice to handle things with optimism or pessimism, and the “Busy Baby” books provide this lesson in an enjoyable and tangible way. Highly Recommended. Dorothea Wilson-Scorgie has completed her MA degree in Children’s Literature at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and is currently pursuing a MLIS degree at the University of Alberta. She resides in Victoria, BC, with her husband, toddler son, and their miniature dachshund.
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