I Like Toys

Review also includes I Like Peas, 978-1848773820

These simply designed but very appealing books would delight children from about six months upwards. They are robust and will survive well if tossed into the toy box. Both have inviting covers using vibrant primary colours. I Like Toys has a jolly robot, a ball and ship on the front and I Like Peas is a riot of red and green and somehow this cover manages to make the vegetables look dynamic with the peas popping out of their pods. The toys and vegetables on the pages are likely to be familiar and to encourage pointing and conversation; they are textured, too, so that young children can feel as well as look at things. So, for example, little fingers can trace the shape and texture of the toy car’s wheels and feel the rough skin of the carrot.

A nice touch and a good talking point is that all the toys and all the fruits mentioned are displayed on the final double spreads. This helps children understand that things can be grouped, by purpose (toys) and by kind of foodstuff (vegetables). I Like Peas also introduces the concept of opposites. These user-friendly books would make a welcome addition to a child’s first book collection.