Playtime Engineering (9781536230963) / Stroller Ecology (9781536230956) by Jill Esbaum. MIT Kids Press, 2023.
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Format : Board books
What did you like about the book? These two titles in MIT Kids Press’s Big Science for Tiny Tots series are engaging introductions to scientific and nature concepts. Excellent, clear color photographs of diverse babies and parents pair with brief text, in bold, to read to baby. In addition to the primary text, there’s a brief instruction to further the concept (to read if baby is not too wiggly) and then a definition of a scientific term that the whole spread signifies. So, three different levels of interest are accommodated here.
In Playtime Engineering , the milieu is playtime, and engineering concepts such as support, bearing, and materials are defined by the text and babies negotiating their toys. In Stroller Ecology , babies observe nature and learn concepts such as decomposer, food web and biodiversity. You can argue that babies are unlikely to remember the connections between the book and what they’re observing, but you have to acknowledge that the author does a fine job showing everyday examples of basic concepts. And the babies are so darn cute!
Anything you didn’t like about it? No
To whom would you recommend this book? For babies and their families who enjoy concept books, especially those who like photographic books.
Who should buy this book? A good purchase for all libraries serving young children.
Where would you shelve it? Board books
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA
Date of review: December 23, 2023
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