Read, Read, Read, said the Baby: A B See by Elizabeth Doyle

This isn't the type of board book I usually recommend, but it's unique and utterly delightful and I couldn't resist it, even if it's a little old for the board book audience.

Each letter is created out of a fascinating plethora of items beginning with the letter and accompanied by an alliterative sentence. For example, T is composed of a tiger, toad, teacup, tricycle, trombone, top hat, top, toucan, tie, thimble, telescope, tree, train, turtle and so much more. The accompanying line reads "Toucan and tiger toot a trombone." There is a final spread of all 26 letters, followed by six pages listing all the items in each letter.

The art has a Victorian feel, primarily composed of delicate pen and ink drawings, all brilliantly colored. There are more modern images included as well. Many of the images are raised so you can feel interesting textures on the individual pictures as well as the letter as a whole.

Verdict: Most babies and toddlers won't have the attention span or the development to find the tiny pictures, but this is a really lovely book nonetheless and worth purchasing for that small group of toddlers who will appreciate it and for parents looking for board books for older preschoolers who are still learning to care for books. Think of it as a novelty book rather than a board book and it will definitely find an audience.

ISBN: 9781481436991; Published 2015 by Little Simon/Simon and Schuster; Borrowed from another library in my consortium