Review: The Newt in the Suit

The Newt in the Suit

Written by Margaret Chamberlain

Illustrated by Andrew Weale

Publication date: 2010
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
ISBN: 978-0-340-98867-1

Summary/Back cover:
There are cockatoos in high-heeled shoes, pigs in wigs, buzzing bees wearing dungarees, and a newt in a suit! But why are all the animals dressed up in their very best clothes? Count from one to ten and join in the birthday party fun!

Review:
This counting book appeals to my 3 year old hugely! There's nothing particularly outstanding about it from a parent's point of view, but the increasingly strangely dressed animals, along with the counting (and recognising numerals) aspect holds preschoolers attention very well.

The illustrations are clear and bright, and surprisingly uncluttered, given that you end up with 55 animals on the second-to-last page (all the animals from one to ten).

A good counting book, with a bit of nonsense thrown in for good measure.

My rating: 3.8 out of 5

Review written by Bronwyn

Review: Farm Life

Farm Life

Written by Elizabeth Spurr

Illustrated by Steve Björkman

Publication date: 2003
Publisher: Holiday House
ISBN: 0-8234-1777-8

Summary/Back cover:
Rhymed descriptions of life on a farm introduce basic colors and the numbers one to ten.

Review:
This book reminds me a bit of the way "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?" is written - the very first page is "Red Barn, Red Barn, what are you keeping?" - a bit too similar to be original, I think!

However, it does introduce colours and numbers very well, and the kids seem to love it. There is a glossary of farming terms used, such as reaping, thresher and heifers, so the less-farm inclined parents can still explain to their children what these words mean (as kids will invariably ask about them!)

3.5 out of 5

Review written by Ruth