by Xavier Deneux
Chronicle Books — 5 Stars . . . . . Short Review (click here)
Press Release: Introducing TouchThinkLearn, an ingeniously simple way to encourage the youngest readers to actively explore early-learning concepts in a hands-on, multi-dimensional way. Simple raised die-cut shapes on a left hand page of these sturdy board books are mirrored in the scooped-out forms of the right. In Colors a ripe-red apple is matched with the creamy color of the apple’s inside punctuated by two tiny black seeds.
In Opposites, the cherry green top of a Small tree is formed from the recess of a knot hole in a Big tree trunk. Seeing the image, tracing its shape, and saying its name combine in a dynamic way to help young learners develop a mastery of essential concepts. The interactive reading experience is a durable format that will hold up to repeated readings at home, school, and on the go.
What I think: The TouchThinkLearn board books are sturdy, well-made books for little hands. The thick pages will not tear. Each cutout image on the left-hand side of a page is thick and well glued onto the page. These are beautiful board books will delight parents and children. Some of the concepts may be a bit harder than the average vocabulary of a toddler, but this will stretch thinking and increase vocabularies at a time when the mind is acting as a sponge, absorbing information easily. In Opposites, one such is “Caged and Free.”
Colors contain the three primary colors—red, blue, and yellow—the secondary—green, orange, and purple—plus brown, black and white. The last page shows the concept of mixing colors to get other colors. I really like these two board books. I like the sturdiness, the thick pages, and extra thick covers. Little kids tend to be hard on books, so these attributes are important in a good board book. I think the TouchThinkLearn board book series is an excellent series that will teach the youngest reader while making it fun.
Spring of 2014 will bring two more TouchThinkLearn books: Shapes and Numbers.
To Read Short REview (click here) – always a new illustration!
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TouchThinkLearn: Colors
TouchThinkLearn: Opposites
by Xavier Deneux
Chronicle Books website blog facebook twitter
Released August 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4521-1726-3 (Colors) & 978-1-4521-1725-6 (Opposites)
20 pages
Ages 3 and up
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© 2013 by Chronicle Books, used with permission.
Text & Illustrations: Copyright © 2013 by Xavier Deneux
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DONATED TO LOCAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
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These look very clever indeed! I like the idea of having one page raised and the other cut out. To be able to “feel” your way thru a book is a lovely concept. Thanks for sharing these! I’ll have to check them out.
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I love the cover of Opposites! 🙂 This sounds like a great series! 😀
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Erik, you really should start a cover collection. Seriously, you comment more about the covers than anything. I wonder if there is a way you could collect just the covers. 🙂
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This sounds like a wonderful learning board book. I especially like the ‘caged and free’ opposites introduced.Toddlers are little sponges and will really enjoy this book.
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These are great books. I love that Chronicle put so much into the construction of them. The books will stand up to the toughest little kid!
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Great concept books. I love the colors. Caged and Free are unusual opposites so early on, but I love that they’re included.
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I love the illustrations for caged and free and some kids may get it right away, especially if they have a pet. These are such colorful books and the best constructed ones I have seen.
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