Rilla Alexander

Giggles are sure to accompany this ever-growing adventure, while bringing a few new terms along the way.

It's gone! Little elephant is off on the search for this much needed object...if only he new the name. During his search, he meets many friends and asks for their help, but they're each on the search for something, too. Too bad, they can't remember the name of their objects, either. The clever frog realizes that these missing somethings can only mean one thing—a thief is in their midst. show more Now, they just have to figure out who it is and where their objects have gone.

From the very first page, the reader is drawn in to elephant's search and will hope that he finds whatever it is he's looking for. The mystery mounts with each met friend and their missing object, but it's the humor which takes over. Each character uses a different term for their missing object: thingamajig, ha-bee-ja-bee, etc. But it's the building list of these, which is repeated, that brings giggles and smiles. Then, comes the frog, who seems to be on the right track as he collects more detailed descriptions...which rolls right into more silliness.

The illustrations are simple, bright, and just right to let the tale hit with cuteness and humor. Each creature is easy to identify and carries personality. The atmosphere is always cheerful and the images invite to later flipping and viewing on their own.

The text is written in various fonts and flows well. It is kept short but gives enough to make it clear what is happening. Thanks to the growing list of fun words, this also increases in length at times, and these do add a silly twist while reading it aloud. These words gain even more meaning by the end of the read, where the author reveals that each term comes from a different language. The characters and terms are then identified with the originating language, which adds an educational direction, too.

It's a fun read, will have readers smiling, and even holds a wholesome message at the end. Add the educational value, and it's a treat. show less

These are sturdy books with a hands-on-feel, which is just right for little hands. Each two-page spread illustrates a single, big and bold word. The word is always a simple, every day one, which youngest listeners can grasp, understand, and place in their own lives. The word is lifted off the regular page, inviting for listeners to touch it and rub their fingers over every letter. Over ten more words (small typed) are listed, which relate to the main theme—things which listeners might show more already associate with the main word. And if not, older listeners will learn a few new words along the way.

The illustrations are bright and bold. The main object is large and sits 'in' the page, which allows listeners to feel the outline and shape as they look at it. There's also a small detail of the object (for example: a pocket on a shirt), which is raised and offers another thing for kids to feel. Other things relating to the main theme are portrayed across the page, always things kids can easily identify.

The books are simple, robust and offer familiar as well as unfamiliar words. The youngest will probably be happy with just the basic terms, where slightly older ones can dives into the word list a little better. It's an original way to get kids to hear, identify with, feel and explore words.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to leave my honest thoughts. show less

The first page spread poses the question, "How ready are you?" with a number of answers to choose from, ranging from "not at all" to "rarin' to go." The accompanying illustration shows a blue dog digging a hole, a brown-skinned, black-haired child holding a yellow ruler, and a green caterpillar holding a pencil. This trio appears again and again as the questions and possible answers continue: How big are you? How strong are you? How fast are you? How happy are you? How kind are you? How show more brave are you? How much do you know? How much do you have? How much can you do? How long will it take? How far can you go? and finally, How much do I love you?, which has only one answer, written across outstretched arms: IMMEASURABLY! On the final endpapers, brown hands release a green butterfly.

A perfect book for back to school or anytime, great for an interactive storytime or one-on-one discussion.

See also: Twenty Questions by Mac Barnett, Is 2 A Lot? by Annie Watson

Rubber stamp and digital collage illustrations. show less

Herbert likes to slide down the slide at the playground. He enjoys the climb up. He enjoys sending his bear and truck down. He enjoys the flutter in his tummy before sliding down. He uses his imagination to be in adventures while sliding down. Then little sister says it's her turn for the slide.

I loved this little book. The story was fun. The illustrations are adorable. This is the perfect little book for your toddlers. Even the size of it is good for their little hands. I hope there are show more more Herbert books. He is just the cutest little thing! show less