My kids’ bookshelves are overflowing. From board books we bought before The K Man was even born, to gifts from family and friends over the years, books are a big part of our lives.
It’s not uncommon for Miss Q to come bounding towards me, book in hand, babbling excitedly. Actually, come to think of it, she looks (and sounds) like a drunken sailor who’s asking for directions. Make that a foreign drunken sailor.
We’re trying to instill a love of reading; we read to the kids before each nap and before bedtime. It’s a cherished time in this house – especially since my two wiggle-monsters actually sit still long enough to make it through as many books as we’ll read to them. They get all snuggly, sitting with us in their rocking chairs or laying on The K Man’s new “big” bed.
But, like children’s CDs, some kids’ books are better than others. Who hasn’t made the mistake of grabbing a book off of the bargain table at Chapters, not reading it through and taking it home only to find that it’s just a bit, er, weird…?
When a new book popped up on my Twitter feed, I was eager to review it: Tuck Me In, written by Dean Hacohen and illustrated by Sherry Scharschmidt. Thanks to Random House for sending me a copy!
THE GOOD
Such a cute idea. Here’s the premise: all the baby animals of the world are going to sleep and need to be tucked in. It’s your little one’s job to put a “blanket” on each animal by turning the page beside it, which is actually a half-page. Once turned, you see each animal covered by a colourful blanket. As the book progresses, so does the night and we see a new star with each new animal. Finally, the books asks “who else needs to be tucked in.” Cue: your baby.
It’s a fun, easy read for the under-two set. Minimal words – mostly animal words that they already know – means that you can spend as little or as much time on each page as you like. If we’re late for nap time, I’ll zip through it in about one minute and get Miss Q right into bed; if we have some leisure time, however, I’ll make the animal noises as I read or ask my sweet pea what noises they make. (I still don’t quite know what sound a hedgehog makes, though…really need to Google that.)
Great use of colours and patterns. Even a tiny baby would appreciate it just for the dazzling array of stripes and zigzags.
The interactivity and fine-motor skills development that Tuck Me In promotes is fantastic; turning pages and seeing cause and effect in play is important for Miss Q’s age group.
Encourages counting! As more and more stars appear, you can count each one together.
I think $10 is an appropriate price for a hardcover book. And this is a really giftable book – great to add to any shower gift.
THE GAFFE
For the age that Tuck Me In is intended, I’m surprised it’s not a board book. Miss Q – though she has a fine appreciation for the written word – has serious disrespect for where that word is writ. We have a queue of lovely books waiting for repair. Sadly, I predict this one will be sporting several pieces of tape sooner rather than later.
THE GEARS
4.5/5
Diane Sallans says
This looks like a good choice to settle this kiddies down
Diane Sallans says
This looks like a good choice to settle this kiddies down
Ingrid L says
Reading to kids when they are young is so valuable for their development! This book sounds cute!
Mommy Gearest says
It’s really cute! R. would love it.
Ingrid L says
Reading to kids when they are young is so valuable for their development! This book sounds cute!
Mommy Gearest says
It’s really cute! R. would love it.