Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Read, Read, Read, said the Baby: A Very Hungry Wolf by Agnes Baruzzi

  There is absolutely nothing better than a children's book where all edible (or inedible) characters get eaten! This board book may be a little above the heads of the average toddler, but it's a sheer delight.

The eponymous wolf on the cover, a rectangular black creature with sharply pointed ears, lots of jagged white teeth, and a speckling of gray dashes, appears on each page, eyes glaring hungrily, but mouth firmly closed. Lift the flap, which includes the wolf's snout and a slice of its belly, and whatever creature was shown on the page is now shown going down the wolf's throat, "Chomp, chomp, down it went!" As the wolf devours a bird, a frog, and a squirrel, it's stomach grows larger, both on the top and beneath the flap, with each creature distending it a little more.

Finally, the wolf eats a not-so-edible creature and with pains in its tummy and mouth, along with rolling green eyes, it spits all the animals out. Why not try some vegetables? The book suggests helpfully.

The flaps are sturdy and could be easily reinforced. The simple, bold art is suitable for toddlers and while parents who are more sensitive will want to skip this one, most kids will enjoy a rousing chant of "Chomp, chomp, down it went!" along with plenty of giggles.

Verdict: A fun addition to your board book collection, especially if you have families that enjoy lift-the-flap books and aren't too picky about accuracy in animal diets.

ISBN: 9789888342051; Published 2020 by Minedition; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

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