My First 1 2 3
illustrated by Edward Underwood
Nosy Crow

This is a new addition to the excellent My First series illustrated by Edward Underwood. With flaps to lift – one per page – toddlers will engage in the basic counting element and enjoy guessing what is hiding under each flap, quickly working out that the number of hidden items each time is the same as the visible item depicted and clearly labelled.. For instance beneath one of the 3 flowers, are 3 bees, and beneath one of the 18 birds are 18 worms.

A thoroughly engaging way of developing basic numeracy skills – number recognition and one to one correspondence.

The large format of this sturdy book make it ideal for sharing with a toddler and in addition to the mathematical aspects, there’s a wealth of potential for language development. Each of the images depicted on every single one of the coloured background panels is richly patterned and also provides talking/ storying opportunities aplenty.
Definitely one to add to family bookshelves and preschool collections.

Upside Down Opposites
Danielle McLean and Matt Hunt
Little Tiger

This is a rhyming and visual demonstration of eight pairs of opposites for an adult and young child to share. Each spread uses a different object – a bird in flight, a hand-held ball, a face, a snail, a drinking glass, a squirrel, a hand and a dolphin. The adult reads the sentence on the first verso, the book is then rotated and with the change of perspective, its opposite is seen on the recto and its respective sentence is then read.
Its clever construction means that the book can be read from either end.

Love
Fiona Munro and Laura Hambleton
Design Eye, Quarto Kids

Herein we meet a group of ursine characters and their animal friends as one little bear finds out how the love of family members endures, even when they are separated by long distances and you cannot see your loved ones. Should you feel tired, angry or sad you can take hold of the heart in the centre of the die-cut and cuddle it close to you: that should help you feel that love flowing right to you.
A reassuring narrative by Fiona Munro and sweet, but not sickly illustrations by Laura Hambleton, remind us all, especially small children, that love is inside us and all around.