Read, Read, Read, said the Baby: Big and Little a book of opposites; All year round a book of seasons by Amy Pixton and Carolina Buzio

Indestructibles were originally created in 2012 by Amy Pixton. They were marketed as "chew proof, rip proof, nontoxic, 100% washable" books for babies. They appear to be paperbacks, but are made of a material similar to packing envelopes. They can be ripped and do show wear, but it takes considerably more strength than a baby would have and titles I purchased back when they were originally debuted have certainly lasted longer than a typical board book or picture book.

The original titles tended to stick with a few basic words and nature pictures. Later titles branched out into nursery rhymes. The latest titles in the series I received include an individual author or illustrator (I think Amy Pixton, the original creator, still writes them?) and a bright array of pictures and diverse people.

Both of these titles show simple contrasts. Big and Little features a Black baby on the cover with warm brown skin and one little curl poking up out of their scribbled hair. The baby is shown with animals, crying and laughing, and interacting with a Black caregiver of indeterminate gender.

The second title, All year round, has a wider range of people pictured. The main baby shown may be Asian. They are shown being carried by a Black man, a white woman with red hair, and an older man with white-hair who may be Asian. They are also watched by an older white woman with white hair. A brown-haired and skinned older girl is pictured several times and appears to be a sibling. There are several white children, Black children, and a woman in Hijab shown in the background. The seasons are familiar to anyone who lives with "traditional" four seasons, from snow in the winter to fireflies in the summer.

I've found, because of their paper-thin spines, these are not ideal for a library board book collection. I was a bit surprised to see that Baker and Taylor offers them in Follet-bound editions. That seems to negate the point of the Indestructible format. However, what they are great for, in addition to gifts, is as part of toy bags and kits. I have several of them included in these and they're one of the sources I look at when choosing books to accompany circulating toys.

Verdict: Great choice for presents or giveaways and a good choice for circulating toys. These latest additions to the Indestructible series are bright and cheerful with a nice range of diversity pictured.

All Year Round, ISBN: 9781523511136

Big and Little, ISBN: 9781523511143

Published August 2020 by Workman; Review copies provided by publisher; Donated to the library