I am an adult. Okay, I am physically an adult. Mentally I am the perfect audience for Copy That, Copy Cat!: Inventions Inspired by Animals. Or at least the part about peeking into cutouts and opening the flaps. The idea of biomimicry might be a little over my head, yet, somehow a board book introduced the subject perfectly. Due to the board book format, this might turn off some of the older readers who would be able to “get deeper” into things, but if in a classroom setting or if your child grew up with it, it would be perfect.
Katrina Tangen created a nonfiction book that mostly reads as fiction, but not completely. There is little “story action” but looking into peek-holes and the flaps could entertain the more active child. And because of the multitude of information presented, you can adapt this for the more traditional board book reader/listener. The not quite lap size, but oversized format allows for easy access for small hands, or for the adult who needs to “hold onto” the book. The items shared range from sonar to snowshoes. Things are clear to understand and relate to.
Giulia Orecchia wraps things up with illustrations that are simple, colorful, and get the job done. They are cartoons but not necessarily cartoonish. Except they are a bit abstract at times. They are a “personal choice” due to your biases if you are a “like” or “dislike” of them. I was not thrilled with them, however, they fit the rhyming theme, keeping the non-fiction information light.
Due September 2023.
