Pat Goes Wild: Pat the Zoo

BUNNY VISITS THE ZOO!

Pat the Bunny is not a critter to rest on his laurels. On the move and off to the zoo, wearing his pat-able fur coat, Pat discovers a new group of acquaintances, not all wearing fur--with quite different textures to touch and feel.

Elephant’s skin is wrinkly and rough; turtle’s shell is slick and bumpy.

And then there’s a bright-colored (and very loud) bird, with a downy, fluffy feel to her feathers.

Silly seals are fun to play ball with, but their whiskers are not soft like Bunny’s, but really  stiff and prickly.

And if he’s quick enough, Pat the Bunny can feel Frog’s long, pink, very sticky tongue. Now that’s different!

Golden Book’s new board book edition of Pat the Zoo (Pat the Bunny) (Touch-and-Feel) (2012) is a cause for celebration for this pioneer tactile, one-of-a-kind series, especially since it helps youngsters get up close and personal with a panda, lion, and giraffe as well. Also available from some marketers in an interactive e-book format (which offers sounds but not, alas, the traditional tactile experiences of the board book), this very appealing touch and feel book is great to prepare a toddler for a trip to a petting zoo or a full-fledged zoo and is a great way to provide reinforcement of the names of animals to be seen there.

Thankful: The First Thanksgiving by Nancy Davis

THIS IS THE SHIP THAT SAILED THE SEA...

How to introduce our Thanksgiving traditions to the very youngest among us?

The historical story is a complex tale, full of human hope, failures, political maneuverings, religious fervor and prejudices, and ironic historical luck (Squanto appearing, speaking fluent English, to save the immigrants from their ignorance of survival skills in the New World, for example).

But little ones need a simple story, and Nancy Davis's The First Thanksgiving: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Little, Brown, 2010) is a good starting place. With rounded figures in a limited autumn palette set against bright white board pages, in simple verse the story is told of a group of hopeful immigrants seeking a better life, having difficulties, helped by the old settlers led by Squanto, and celebrating with a big outdoor party for themselves and their friends. With sturdy flaps to provide a bit of anticipation for young fingers to explore, Davis' text tells the old, old story well.

GRATEFUL FOR THE NEW HOME SO FAR AWAY...
THE PILGRIMS CELEBRATED THE FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY.

Children's Literature says "In addition to the obvious historical lesson about the Pilgrims' settlement of the Massachusetts colony, this book can be expanded to lessons on cooperation, sharing, and helping our neighbors."

Tactile Monsters: That's Not My Monster... by Fiona Watt

A monster book for babies? Sure, if the monster's nose is not too blobby, its paws not too bumpy, and its horns not too rough!

Fiona Watt's Touchy-Feely Board Books are great choices for any baby who is ready for a lap book. In fact, as soon as a baby is able to focus and experience tactile sensation, these books are among the best choices, even if the adult has to place the child's fingers on the touch-and-feel areas of each page.

And for the October scary season, even tots can have their own monster book, That's Not My Monster... (Usborne Touchy Feely) (Usborne). A sturdy board book, this one has delicious fuzzy, fleecey, rubbery, and scratchy areas which are delightful to the touch and pleasing colors and shapes to attract the eye.

Some other popular titles in this series include That's Not My Teddy (Usborne Touchy-Feely Board Books), That's Not My Kitten,(Usborne Touchy Feely), That's Not My Pirate (Usborne Touchy Feely), That's Not My Monkey (Usborne Touchy-Feely Books), and That's Not My Puppy: Its Coat Is Too Hairy (Usborne Touchy Feely).