Élo

These two board books are created by French designer Elo (there should be an accent, but my computer doesn't want to add it in). Both include flaps.

Birds of a color displays a variety of fanciful birds in black and white patterns. Each has a flap to lift - a wing, ruff, beak, or other part to reveal a surprise color. The first spread, a long-necked black bird with white spots and a white wing, has the word "white" on the flap. Lift the wing flap and it is black underneath with "black" in white letters. All the other words (colors) are under flaps. A toucan-like bird has an orange beak, drop a black head flap and show a blue eye, lift a chicken's solid black wing and show a yellow wing and yellow chick, etc.

Contrary dogs has a similar design but illustrates opposites with an odd assortment of dog shapes. A squat, bright green dog with pink and black polka-dotted ears and legs sits against a chartreuse background with the word "short" on their squat body. Lift and spread the flap, which turns into a long tab, and see the word "long". A pear-shaped dog with a long pink snout, pink ears, and pink legs has a red-orange body with vertical black dashes and the word "fat". On the opposite page is a pink dog with green and black ears and legs, a strip of color labeled "thin." Lift the fat dog's belly to double it in size and see the words "very fat." A mint green dog with darker green ears sits against an orange background with peach dots. Punched out holes in the dog's body gives them "spots". Lift their body to show the other side, which is the same light peach as the spots with speckled charcoal ears and see the words "no spots".

Both books are very artistic and have fun design concepts, but they're definitely not sturdy. The flaps are light cardboard and lift in different directions, usually a precursor to ripping. While "artsy" the designs aren't really particularly good for babies or toddlers, besides the ripping factor they're such odd shapes that the kids aren't necessarily going to recognize them as birds or dogs, in my opinion. I prefer simple, clearer shapes or photographs for this age.

Verdict: When reviews include words like "chic" and "sophisticated" that's a sign to me that these are board books that aren't a good fit for my audience. They would make cute presents, but I wouldn't expect them to last long with an actual baby or toddler.

Birds of a color
ISBN: 9781536200638

Contrary dogs
ISBN: 9781536200621

Published May 2018 by Candlewick Studio; Borrowed from another library in my consortium… (plus d'informations)