Let’s Find the Dinosaur – Tiger Tales, illustrated by Alex Willmore, Tiger Tales, 9781680105995, 2020
Let’s Find the Mermaid – Tiger Tales, illustrated by Alex Willmore, Tiger Tales, 9781680106084, 2020
Format: Board Book
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
Genre: Picture book
What did you like about the book? Both of these books are absolutely perfect for the very youngest of children. They are sturdy, colorful and have felt flaps and cut-out pages that will keep infants and toddlers engaged in the stories. In the beginning of each story, children are asked to help find either the T. Rex or the mermaid. There are bright-colored felt pieces that are hiding a creature. The fun part is that on these pages, a small portion of the creature can be seen that resembles a feature on either the T. Rex or the mermaid. For example, we see something hiding behind some green seaweed that has what looks like flowing purple hair (the mermaid has flowing purple hair). When the flap is lifted, we see that it is the purple tentacles of an octopus. I can see where this would be a fun little game for children–it looks like it might be one thing but it is really something else. This technique is carried out throughout each book. Some of the creatures seen on the pages of these books include a Diplodocus, Stegosaurus, narwhale, dolphin, and seahorse.
The illustrations provided by Alex Willmore are perfect! They are very colorful and the characters in the stories have happy, pleasant expressions–even the T-Rex. There are plenty of details on the pages that young children will have fun pointing to familiar objects such as bird, bug, eggs, fish, turtles, and key. These are objects in the background but it is a great way to have children to spend some time with the illustrations on each page.
Anything you did not like about the book. Nothing
To whom would you recommend this book? These are perfect for infants and toddlers. The books and the felt flaps are extremely sturdy so they will hold up to wear and tear, plus it is nice having a felt flap as opposed to hard cardboard. There are some similar books by Alex Willmore called Let’s Find the Tiger and Let’s Find the Penguin and if children have seen and enjoyed these books then they should enjoy Let’s Find the Dinosaur and Let’s Find the Mermaid.
Who should buy this book? Public libraries, preschools, daycare centers, anyone that works with infants and toddlers.
Where would you shelve it? Board Books
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes, also perfect for infant/toddler storytime in libraries.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Kristin Guay, former youth services librarian.
Date of review: February 2, 2020
Youth Services Book Review 
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