Read, Read, Read, said the Baby: Bears are big by Douglas Florian, illustrated by Barbara Bakos

I first saw this series advertised at BEA and fell in love with the bright, busy colors. I've been waiting eagerly to buy them for the library and, while they're not a typical board book, I think they're a great addition to the collection.

A simple sentence on each page describes opposite attributes of various animals. "Sloths are slow./Cheetahs are quick./Eels are slippery./Tree frogs stick." The real star of these little books are the illustrations. A rotund purple hippo perches on flattened leaves and flowers, surrounded by apple cores and munching contentedly on an apple. A blue rhino grins mischievously while proudly displaying her tall horns and perky blue ears. A brilliant yellow snail sports a stripped orange shell and a natty mustache, not to mention a couple little eyebrows floating above its eyes. Each creature is surrounded by colorful flowers, leaves, and branches.

Verdict: The cheerful colors, simple text, and attractive illustrations make this a delightful new addition to any board book collection.

ISBN: 9781499803662; Published 2017 by little bee; Purchased for the library