Read, Read, Read, said the Baby: 100 First Words by Edward Underwood; Alphabet Street by Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius

These two titles include lift-the-flaps and fold-out pages. They're not ideal for general library circulation, but I requested them because they will fit perfectly in a storytime kit!

100 First Words is a large-format board book, 12x19 inches. The pages are a thin cardboard and the flap (there is one on each page) is even thinner cardboard - shirt cardboard thickness, if you're familiar with that. Each spread has a central theme and different-colored squares show the item and word, in bold, black letters. The first spread is FARM. Lift a barn to reveal a horse, lift a fence to reveal a pig. Also pictured is a farmer (white male) on a tractor, a variety of animals, a tree, and an egg. Other spreads include OUTSIDE (children with a variety of skin tones are shown, two identified as "boy" and "girl," one as "baby," and two are shown under an umbrella in the rain. ANIMALS is primarily typical zoo animals - tiger, giraffe, snake, money, elephant, etc. INSIDE is particularly random with a lamp, banana, ball, mouse, pear, old-fashioned key, and silverware. VEHICLES shows a variety of skin colors and genders driving or riding. ABOUT US identifies body parts and some articles of clothing. A number of skin tones are shown and none of the children are identified by gender. The final page is BEDTIME and shows two babies, one white, one light tan.

The colors in this book are bright and cheerful and the drawings representative, if a little cartoony. The flaps are easy enough for small fingers to lift and, if reinforced, will probably last well.

Alphabet Street is shaped like a house with ribbon ties. The inside of the book is accordion-folded cardboard, each spread having lift-the-flaps that reveal the letter and accompanying action. Each "house" has a shop below and a home above. So on the first spread the bottom shows two elephants in a cafe; lift the flap and you'll see animals inside the cafe with the accompanying text "Dd: D is for Dog who is drying a dish." Get to the end, at Yackety Zack's beauty salon, and you can flip the pages back and see all the animals in the park, on the road, and driving through the country.

You can also spread the entire inside of the book out into a long cityscape. The flaps are not very sturdy and have those little half-moon dips to help you lift them. The back of the book is also pretty flimsy. Arrhenius' bright, colorful illustrations have a retro look to them that makes for an attractive city with a variety of animals, small shops, and happy families.

Verdict: 100 First Words will probably last for a while on the shelf, but Alphabet Street is very flimsy and unlikely to make it past the first couple circulations. But they would both do great in a kit! I plan to add some other books and letter-related toys and sensory items and I think it will be a hit. A fun gift or addition to a storytime kit.

100 First Words
ISBN: 9781536208221; Published September 2019 by Nosy Crow; Review copy provided by publicist
Alphabet Street
ISBN: 9781536208276; Published October 2019 by Nosy Crow; Review copy provided by publisher