Little Poems for Tiny Ears

Starred review from November 4, 2013
Twenty-three short poems written in the first-person viewpoints of infants and toddlers muse on the small discoveries and quietly joyful moments that are part of early childhood. Among them: learning to make new sounds; discovering one’s toes, bellybutton, mouth, and nose (“My tongue is pink/ And wet, I think./ In and out it goes./ It’s in my mouth/ A little south/ Of where you’ll find my nose”); cozying up to a parent; and making messes (“Watch me scoot across the floor./ I’m heading for the kitchen drawer/ To knock the pots and pans around/ And throw the dish towels on the ground”). In his distinctively serene illustrations, dePaola portrays children with rounded faces and smiling eyes as they navigate their environments and engage in familiar activities. Each scene is encapsulated within a tidy box, contributing to the overall ambiance of security and comfort, while creating the impression of framed photographs of milestone moments. An ethnically diverse cast of children and the ubiquity of delights that range from beloved pets to a father’s scratchy beard give this warmhearted collection broad appeal. Up to age 2.

Starred review from December 15, 2013
Twenty-three original, first-person poems for the very young. Following a multiethnic cast of little ones through their day and highlighting highchairs, strollers and other important objects in their lives, Oliver pens a set of poems tailor-made for tiny ears and minds. She quietly marvels at the wonder of toes: "Way down there at the end of my feet, / I've got ten toes; they're really sweet. / I can count them, make them wiggle. / When they're tickled, watch me giggle.... / I'll bet that you have ten toes too. / Can you count them like I do?" The simple definition of sneeze is spun with whimsy: "A sneeze / Is a breeze / In / Your / Nose." Throughout, the poems compel gentle caresses and interaction between adult and child. Varied rhythm and rhyme schemes enrich a baby's exploration of sound at the time when his or her developing mind needs it most. DePaola's round-faced babes, colored with delicate shading and cozy acrylics, wrap readers in warmth, while the square frames and initial letters mimic childhood blocks, bringing a touch of comfort and nostalgia to the package. A tenderly crafted collection that captures the joyous individual moments of infant discoveries. (Picture book/poetry. 6 mos.-2)

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

February 1, 2014

PreS-Oliver's collection of bite-size poetry offers all of the tongue-in-cheek humor that one would expect from the coauthor of the "Hank Zipzer" series (Penguin). The rhythmic verses address subjects of interest to preschoolers from nose to toes and are perfect for reading aloud alongside nursery rhymes in storytime or for one-on-one sharing. Occasional wordplay reminiscent of classic tongue twisters peppers the text, such as "I wonder why they [dogs] have wet noses./To sniff me better, I supposes." Adults will recognize universal childhood experiences, as one child roots through the kitchen drawer "To knock the pots and pans around/And throw dish towels on the ground" and another joyfully drops food from a high chair. dePaola's instantly recognizable acrylics present readers with a multiethnic cast of charming, cheerful children and provide further opportunity to discuss added details and concepts, including numbers, animals, and toys. Offer this title to the younger siblings of fans of Douglas Florian's poetry.-Sarah Westeren, Richland Library, Columbia, SC

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from November 15, 2013
Preschool *Starred Review* Everything about this book is child friendly, beginning with its charming cover. Oliver has written 23 highly readable poems about almost every familiar aspect of a young child's life, from belly buttons and diapers to noises and the kitchen drawer. Almost all contain words, usually one or two syllables long, that many children have already heard: giggle, tickle, and sounds like kerplop and peekaboo. The words work in perfect tandem with dePaola's happy art, pastels executed in his signature style. Highlighting the joy of each experience, he keeps his focus on the foreground and immediate action, creating for the listener the essence of the world they know: toys, chairs, a stroller, the car seat, Daddy's beard. Each poem and illustration is framed to highlight chubby babies and toddlers of all ethnic backgrounds at the center of their world, being active and being loved. Pair with Mem Fox's Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes (2008) for another rhyming celebration of babies and their worlds.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)