There, There and Bum, Bum: Taro Miura

Two new board books, for us, from Taro Miura are available in the U.S., first printed in Japan in 2008. There, There is a simple concept book introducing animals and their sounds. But, when the baby starts to cry, everyone joins in. Empowering the reader, it's the baby who comforts them in the end.

Bum Bum is my favorite though. "Duck's fluffy...bum bum. Pig's round...bum bum." Get the gist? You just have to smile at all those various behinds. The flat, graphic illustrations fit the simplicity of the text.

How fun to have these for our totz. Thanks, Candlewick!

There, There
Bum Bum
by Taro Miura
Candlewick Press, 2016

There, There: Sam McBratney

Little Hansie Bear loves to pretend. Walking like a duck sends him down into a ditch, but his dad comes to his aid. Again his father helps when Hansie gets sand in his eyes and later bumps his head. At the end of the day when his father is overwhelmed, the little bear is able to comfort him.

Originally a picture book in 2013, There, There, by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Ivan Bates, transfers well into the board book format. For the older readertotz, the text will not be too heavy, and the message will be appreciated.

There, There
By Sam McBratney
Illustrated by Ivan Bates
Templar Books, 2015