Who's hiding under the ice? (One Little Penguin and His Friends - Erin Ranson)

Member Name: Ann-Marie_B

Product:	One Little Penguin and His Friends - Erin Ranson
Date:	05/07/09 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun sliding elements. Teaches counting skills

Disadvantages: Pages could be stronger

One Little Penguin and his Friends is a children's book published by Tide Mill Press and illustrated throughout by Claudine Gevry. The book bears no mentioned of an author, though I believe it was written by Erin Ranson.

This book was bought as a gift for my son from his grandparents. It is available direct from Tide Mill Press at www.tidemillpress.com. It's usual price is £7.99, however it is currently reduced slightly to £7.19.

One Little Penguin and his friends is a thick board book and is relatively large. Each page bears a sliding element whereby a hidden page is slid along to reveal various animals hiding in the snow. For example the first page asks us "Who's hiding under the ice". We have a small hole which enables us to push up a hidden page, revealing two grey seals in beneath two cut out holes in the centre of the page and one big whale at the very top of the page.

The book follows the same theme throughout and the numerous characters include polar bears, arctic foxes, reindeer and killer whales amongst various others. Each sliding element is very different to the last. Some move upward, some sideways and some in a circular movement. Some reveal one character, whereas others reveal two, three or four. Every page is therefore exciting and new for young minds to engage with.

One Little Penguin and his friends also teaches counting skills in a fun and imaginative way. This is done through stating the number of each animal on each page. It therefore has a good educational quality too.

My son is just one and a half and has a real fascination with books. He particularly loves books like this one whereby he can take part in moving the sliding elements as we read through the story.

Though this is a rather sturdy board book, the sliding pages within the main pages do make it a little more delicate than most. My son has unfortunately tore one of the pages in his excitement of revealing the hidden arctic animals.

Overall this is a fantastic and imaginative book. The illustrations are bold and attractive, the sliding elements easily hold a child's attention and make it all the more interactive whilst teaching counting skills at the same time. This is a valuable addition to my son's book collection and one that I would highly recommend!

Summary: Recommended