This Little Teddy

This satisfyingly robust ‘touch-and-feel’ board book has five double page spreads each featuring a different teddy bear.  On the verso, a friendly rhyme introduces the bear’s name and invites the very young reader to stroke the furry tummy/touch the fuzzy ears/feel the smooth paw pads/touch the shiny raincoat.  The final spread invites greater participation as baby is invited to choose a name for the bear with the silky blue bow.  Emily Bolam’s cheerful illustrations have just the right amount of detail.

This unpretentious publication with its combination of tactile, language and illustrative elements is ideal for parents and other carers to enjoy sharing with small children. How wonderful it is that early developmental needs are being met with well pitched and accessible titles such as this. There is a companion volume, This Little Pirate.