Tiny Travelers: France: Treasure Quest – Steven Wolfe Pereira, Susie Jaramillo, illustrated by Mei Yee Tan and Abigail Gross

Tiny Travelers: France: Treasure Quest – Steven Wolfe Pereira, Susie Jaramillo, illustrated by Mei Yee Tan and Abigail Gross, Encantos Brands, 9781945635342, 2021

Format:  Board Book 

Rating:  1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5

 What did you like about the book? France is my number one travel destination and since I do not know when I can take a flight to France, this book did an excellent job giving me a diverse perspective on the culture, people and important places. The book first opens up to an illustrated two page layout with a picture key map of France and where it is located in Europe. On this same two-page layout readers are also introduced to very basic facts such as the capital, primary language, population size and the flag. The rest of the book, which is a look and find, brings you to prominent French locations. On each two page layout, readers get cool facts and the pronunciation of different French terms related to the location focused on the page. For example, on the pages that highlight French cuisine, there are images of different types of food with their French name, English translation and a few words describing what it is. Additionally, on each page there is a “did you know” fact on each corner. The book is full of information and could easily be used as a reference book to do a study unit for a younger reader over an entire month! The illustrations are wonderful.They are digital cartoon people and places, however, the attention to detail is amazing. On the page focused on the Opera de Paris, the intricate details of the ballerinas’ dresses is so beautifully illustrated that it almost looks like a real life dress. Additionally, on each page readers are encouraged to find a different item associated with the topic i.e. a tiara on the Opera page, a candelabra in the Château de Versailles page. Once readers get to the end of the book they have a check-list for reference to make sure they found all of the items on each page.

Anything you did not like about the book? No, this is a great book and I look forward to finding more in the series. 

 To whom would you recommend this book? This book is perfect for children ages 4 and older who are learning geography or just simply learning about different cultures and people. 

Who should buy this book? Elementary Schools and pre-schools

Where would you shelve it? E or J 944

 Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes 

 Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Rose Metayer, Boston Latin School, Boston MA

Date of review:  06/25/2021