Read, Read, Read, said the Baby: Adventure Awaits by Henry Cole

 I usually think of Henry Cole as a picture book illustrator, although he's authored and illustrated from board books to chapter books, and from the cover of this board book I was thinking it was something that should probably have been a picture book - but I had a pleasant surprise when I perused it.

The opening spread shows a gray and white spotted dog on the left and a striped yellow and brown cat on the left. They are both stretching in the yellow light from a window and accompanied by the text "sunrise/stretch." As the simple story continues, the two follow separate paths outside, their parallel journeys continuing until their pursuit of blue jays and a squirrel cause them to meet up at a tree - and take off at top speed from a mysterious creature, revealed as an owl. Back home, they curl up together on a cushion in an amusing sequence of poses, but the last spread hints at another outdoors adventure awaiting.

Henry Cole's art always makes me think of a nature journal, and the simple lines and neatly sketched animals and plants offer enough detail for young children to examine without so much that they get overwhelmed. The single words on each page are a great starting point for discussing what's happening in the pictures and encouraging children to talk about what they see and imagine about the story.

The book is a sturdy 8x8 square with thick cardboard pages and well-suited to toddler hands and eyes.

Verdict: This would make a fun addition to storytime with young toddlers and is one I'll enjoy adding to my series of outdoor storytimes this summer. It's a little more advanced than what I'd purchase for infants, but would be great for the 1-2 year old crowd.

ISBN: 9781665902908; Published May 2022 by Little Simon; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library