Dr. Seuss's 100 First Words: Jan Gerardi

How does this book not exist already? Well, it does, but it is spread out through Dr. Seuss' collection of works. Here now are 100 words illustrated by Jan Gerardi in Dr. Seuss' style. Grouped in categories and introduced by cats in hats, A, B, and C, first readers may learn and be entertained, simultaneously.

There are Wild Animals and Farm Animals, Outside and Home, Clothes and Pets included. The board book is large, so the entries do not feel compressed. I find it particularly fun to recognize familiar characters: Red Fish, Blue Fish, Yertle, and more.

Blocks of color frame the featured illustrated words. White portions hold the iconic font. Enjoy this introduction to the Dr.!

Dr. Seuss's 100 First Words
illustrated by Jan Gerardi
Random House, 2018

The Little Gardener: Jan Gerardi

Now that Memorial Day has passed, it's safe to get the garden in, here in the Pacific Northwest. As everyone plants their seeds across the country, look for The Little Gardener by Jan Gerardi for your totz.

This simple lift-the-flap will get you ready to garden.

"Shovel.
Pail.
Rake.
Hoe.
Tiny seeds in a row."

Included are the ideas to compost and deter insects without chemicals. The board book is part of the Teenie Greenies series, printed on 80% recycled paper with soy ink and water-based varnish. The flat illustrations with lovely textures are precise and clean in The Little Gardener. Pick this little work up and then get that wheelbarrow rolling!

The Little Gardener
by Jan Gerardi
Random House, 2012

The Little Composter: Jan Gerardi

 
The Little Composter is a beautifully-illustrated lift-the-flap book with a wonderful message about working and playing with dirt as a very young composter. The rhyme is spot-on, as in:
Peanut shells.
Melon Rind 
(under flap)
Citrus peels of any kind.

This small sturdy book is part of the Teenie Greenies series of eco-friendly books for ages 0-4. Also in the series is Eco People on the Go, which teaches totz (in a non-teachy way) about environmentally friendly ways to go green.

The Little Composter
Author/illustrator: Jan Gerardi
Series: Teenie Greenies
Random House, 2010