Top critical review
2.0 out of 5 starsLazy Rhymes, and the structure "If I had" implies a lack
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2018
Our baby liked Peek-a-who by this author when she was a baby (amongst other books). Now she's 22 months old, and we're on a mission to replenish her toddler library because we're all big readers. It's proving to be challenging to find really good toddler books (Mo Willems, Dr. Seuss, Llama Llama are great; Mo Willems as number 1). This one is too simple for an older child, too complex (in a way) for a young one.
The illustrations are not my cup of tea, but that's subjective. What's less subjective is the fact that the text starts with "If I had a little [insert: dream, house, table, dog], I would name it _____." In a child's literal mind, this implies some sort of need or want for all these things, so the book becomes slightly sad: we're listening to a story by a child who has nothing (actually - if you understand the phrase "If I had" within correct grammar - it means that you DON'T have it). That's just the first problem. The second is the rhyme:
"If I had a little cat, I would name it Curious. It would always make me happy and never make me furious." Alright. Well, whoever wrote this, let me tell you: I'm now pretty furious that I was curious... [about this book for my toddler]. Sending this one back.
