A number of fun board books have recently come out for little readers. The books below are for children newborns and older and were published in March or April of 2022. The books are listed in order of suggested age from youngest to oldest.
MOONLIGHT PRANCE, by Serena Gingold Allen and Teagan White, Chronicle Books, April 5, 2022, Board Book, $12.99 (ages 0-3)
In this interactive bedtime read-aloud young readers can make skunks scamper and possums prance with each push of a durable novelty element.
When you rest your head at night, nocturnal animals awake to dance and play! Push and pull the sturdy tabs to make foxes frolic and hedgehogs hustle in this tale of nighttime fun. —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books
Children will be drawn to sweet illustrations paired with rhythmic text. The interactive elements are smooth enough for the smallest of fingers and construction should hold up to heavy use.
BLOOM, by Ruth Forman and Talia Skyles, Little Simon, April 26, 2022, Board Book, $8.99 (ages 1 and up)
From the author of Curls and Glow comes a poetic board book that delivers an ode to African American girls as naturally beautiful in our human garden.
those girls bloom
these do too
we bloom like flowers
how about you?
—Synopsis provided by Little Simon
Bloom celebrates the natural beauty found in every little girl. Black girls will see themselves in Talia Skyles beautiful illustrations, and parents will appreciate the message of self-love.
DRIP (LITTLE LIFE CYCLES), by Maggie Li, Templar, March 24, 2022, Board Book, $9.99 (ages 2-5)
Meet Drip, a little drop of water. Follow along as it travels through the water cycle.
From a droplet of water in the river to a cloud in the sky, Drip journeys across the earth and sky in a fun, informative board book that explores the cycle of a raindrop. A die-cut throughout the book emphasizes how nature is full of changes — but begins and ends with a tiny drop of water. —Synopsis provided by Templar
Drip is a lovely introduction to the water cycle. The idea comes across as clear and concise. Charming illustrations bring this concept to life. Kids will enjoy learning about water while perusing this fun book
LITTLE ANIMAL HUGS, by Hans Wilhelm and Wednesday Kirwan, Chronicle Books, April 26, 2022, Board Book, $9.99 (ages 2-4)
Little animal friends love giving hugs! What sound does each hug make?
WOOF-WOOF-
MEOW-MEOW HUG!
MOO-MOO-
BAA-BAA HUG!
Little readers can mix and match more than 10 animals as they embrace each other in this interactive board book. Each page is accompanied by the sounds that each animal makes. Pair up different animals in adorable hugs, as well as the sounds they make, like a “Moo-Moo-Baa-Baa Hug.” —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books
There’s so much fun to be had with this adorable book. Kids will love coming up with any number of combinations. This is sure to have them giggling out loud.
PIGS ARE PREPARED, by Hans Wilhelm and Erica Salcedo, Chronicle Books, April 12, 2022, Board Book, $9.99 (ages 2-4)
Three little piggies just can’t wait to play!
But first, they plan what they’ll need for each day . . .
These little pigs are ready for anything! The map-inspired cover helps the piggies find their way, Transition times can be tricky, but this rhyming story provides toddlers with a shining example of how to get ready for whatever comes next in their days. From wearing sunscreen and water wings when they go swimming, to packing the perfect picnic for a sunny day, to sporting helmets when they ride bikes, these little pigs know exactly what to bring to make every moment safe — and special. —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books
Silly illustrations accompany fun activities, bringing excitement to otherwise boring daily events. Rhythmic text brings moves the action along while adding context.
ALL AROUND BUSTLETOWN: NIGHTTIME, by Rotraut Susanne Berner, Prestel Junior, April 12, 2022, Board Book, $12.95 (ages 2-5)
No matter what time of year, the inhabitants of Bustletown are busy working, walking, playing, eating, making music, exercising, and shopping. Now, even though it’s nighttime, the fun hasn’t stopped.
Seven colorful and detailed spreads take readers inside a multi-generational house, a farm, a railway station, a community center, a marketplace, a department store, and a park with a lake.
Discover everything that takes place in Bustletown during the late hours: a burglar tries to break into the dental office, the bookshop features “books for a good night,” fireworks explode above the lake, and a slumber party is raging in the library. —Synopsis provided by Prestel Junior
This large board book features no words, but lots of action, inviting young readers to create their own stories within the pictures. Highly detailed illustrations are great for holding attention.
ALICE ATE AN APPLE: THE WORLD OF LETTERS, by Anne-Marie Labrecque and Mathieu Dionne St-Arneault, Twirl, April 5, 2022, Board Book, $16.99 (ages 3-5)
Alice Ate an Apple is a colorful romp through the world of uppercase, lowercase, and even cursive letters — from apples to zebras! Each spread highlights a letter and has a sentence that includes the featured letter in its various forms. Readers can also play a game by counting how many times that letter appears in the sentence. Handy hints and an answer key in the back offer extra help. —Synopsis provided by Twirl
I love Alice Ate an Apple and wish it had been around when my daughter was younger. It’s the kind of book you’ll want to read with your child a few times before letting them loose, but oh, how they will have fun discovering the alphabet. The inclusion of cursive is a bonus. The type is large, clear and easy to decipher.
At $16.99 Alice Ate an Apple is more expensive than an average board book. Its front and back covers are hard board, but the 60 inside pages are more like heavy cardstock.
Copyright © 2022 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
