Boop the Snoot

Ashlyn Anstee’s board book, Boop the Snoot, invites young readers to do just that: boop the snoot, or, poke the tip of someone’s nose as a sign of affection. Featuring primary colored illustrations of dogs, cats and even turtles, Anstee has created a zany and cozy little book for families to share.

Likely one of the biggest strengths of this title is the interaction it offers to readers. Using brightly colored dots, the illustrations show children where to place their fingers as they poke sweet, slow or even fast noses on each page. The silly text is easily read aloud over and over. In fact, the text follows the textual pattern of the well-known tongue-twister, “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck”, making the reading of this book both familiar and fast paced.

Unfortunately, by following the structure of the woodchuck tongue twister, the book ends by stating that a baby would boop “all the snoots, if a baby could boop snoots”. Because the book has just spent several pages showing that babies can boop snoots, I found this confusing. I wanted the page to say something like “[…] because, of course, a baby can boop snoots!” Regardless, I imagine young readers will laugh and enjoy the book immensely.

Boop the Snoot will find a happy home with any family seeking out books to help foster moments of lighthearted connection. Warning: the booping of snoots will likely continue after the book is finished!