Reviews-Begin Smart

TITLE: How Many Beeps?
AUTHOR: Begin Smart
PAGES: 12
PUB DATE: October 2009
PUBLISHER: Sterling

ABOUT THE BOOK:
These trucks are ready to go all sorts of places, from an apple orchard to a dairy! Every time a page is turned, one truck leaves the garage and goes out to pick up its special load. It’s a fun rhyming book, and a great way to practice counting down from five.

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS:
Here is another book in the Begin Smart series.

This is actually another cute one that Michael enjoyed reading. The illustrations were very bright and I am sure it would attract the target range (18 months to 2 years old) attention.

Michael enjoyed reading the book as the words were simply, there was counting and pushing the button.

This is another great book for child and parent interaction. I think the button being pushed will be a favorite.

Thanks Sterling for the book.

TITLE: Push the Button
AUTHOR: Begin Smart
PAGES: 16
PUBLISHER: Sterling
PUB DATE: October 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Small children love to make things happen, and this novelty book will appeal to their sense of play. A soft, vinyl “button,” which shows through the die-cut pages, becomes a flower’s center, a helicopter’s propeller, the knob on a firefighter’s hose, and the crank on a jack-in-the-box. Kids push the button, then turn the page . . . and see what magic unfolds! A perfect way to introduce the idea of cause and effect.

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS
This is another book in the Begin Smart series. This one was cute. The illustrations were bright and colorful and hey there is even a button to push.

I think Michael had more fun pushing this button then reading the story. He did say that this book was for a younger child and I told him that its a book for 12 to 18 months.

This is another one of the those great interaction books. The parent could make the noise and the child pushes the button.

Thanks Sterling for another great book.

TITLE: Hooray for Hands
AUTHOR: Begin Smart
PAGES: 18
PUBLISHER: Sterling
PUB DATE: October 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Let’s give a cheer for hands—after all, they come in very handy! This board book is a lighthearted tribute to everyone’s two hands and ten fingers and the way they can push swings, dig in dirt, pet kittens, and build things with blocks. The fun rhyming text will ensure that Hooray for Hands gets read aloud again and again.

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS
This is another book in the begin smart series. How I wish we would have had these books a few years ago.

The book is for 18 months to 2 years old. Michael is a little too old for the book but it was simple enough that he could read it and that he did.

The books is exactly what the title is about HANDS and it teaches little kids all the good things that hands are used for such as opening cages, making noises, playing and a few other things.

I think this would make a great interaction book with your child.

Thanks Sterling for sending the book.

TITLE: Peek-a-boo what?
AUTHOR: Begin Smart
PAGES: 18
PUBLISHER: Sterling Publishing
PUB DATE: October 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK
Peek-a-boo isn’t a baby’s favorite game just by chance: after a first birthday, a baby begins to understand that even when something isn’t in his sight, it still exists. He expects that a person or an object will reappear eventually—and when the anticipated finally happens, he’s delighted. This charming book, with flaps to lift and see-through die cuts, will help little ones solidify object permanence. There’s even a place for a photo so that the answer to “peek-a-boo, who?” can be a family member . . . or perhaps the reader!

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS
I think if Michael was a little younger he might have enjoyed the book more. He said he does remember peek a boo being a funny game for him and he will occassionally still want to do it.

He did have fun reading it and guessing what it was. The illustrations would appeal to the age group the books were made for and that was 12 to 18 months.

Thanks Sterling for sending us the book.

TITLE: Bouncy Baby
AGE: 6 months to 12 months

PUB DATE:  October 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Baby loves more . . . more tickles, more kisses, more peek-a-boo, more bouncing . . . more read to me! Parents and children will have a great time sharing more of everything with this fun interactive book.

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS:

This is day two in reviewing for Begin Smart books. How I wish I would have had these books for Michael when he was this age. Even though he is 6 he still enjoyed the book.

Bouncy Baby is very well made and is a sturdy board book. Bouncy Baby is about a little baby who likes to dance, clap, splash, eat and wave. Little ones will love this because I remember when Michael was little he loved lift the flap books.

Begin Smart offers  age appropriate books for babies and toddlers. From 0 to 24 months.

I was really surprised to get this box of books from Begin Smart.  Thank You to Begin Smart for sending me this package of books to review.

I have to admit that Michael is not in this age category but he did enjoy looking and listening to the books. He even told me that the three books we are reviewing today he wants to donate to the Born to Read Program.

Title: Animal Faces
PUB DATE: October 2009
AGE: Newborn to 6 months

One side of the animal shaped topper is a dog and the other is a cat. 

Animal Faces  is a book about animal faces. Animal Faces is made in a soft, cloth book. This will catch a baby’s eye immediately. There is even a sewn-in rattle. This is  another fun thing to the book  that babies will love.

With simple, bright colored images and backgrounds will definetly grab a youngers attention. This is one book you won’t mind having a baby bit into.

TITLE: Look Around and Listen
PUB DATE: October 2009
AGE: Newborn to 6 months

This is a another great book for babies. Its also a great bath book. Made with a plastic covering. Cute little imagines that are bright and colorful. I loved the picture of the duck and cat. Plus a little squeeky toy that babies will love.

TITLE: Baby Says
PUB DATE: October 2009
AGE: 6 months to 12 months

I am sure the first thing that a baby will do when first given this book will be to start chewing on the teething ring.

If you get past the chewing on the teething ring you will discover that the cards are all clear and very colorful. Some of the pictures include:  a butterfly, a fish, a car, a flower, a bird, plus many more. All the images will grab their attention. What a great start to introduce your child to the world of books and reading.

I only wish that this was available when Michael was a baby as I am sure he would have loved these books.

If you are a parent, grandparent etc and looking for an age appropriate book then check out the Begin Smart website. Many great book selections from the ages of Newborn to 24 months.

http://beginsmartbooks.com/