Picture My Day

PreS-K–With this basic vocabulary book (“pillows,” “sippy cups,” “potty,” etc.), readers follow a group of children through their daily routines. At times, words seem too sophisticated for the intended audience, such as “cutlery.” A page of vegetables includes not only “green beans,” but also “fennel,” “leek,” and “endive.” Some pages are spare, with only one object pictured, while others are cluttered with detail. Background patterns, such as polka dots, sometimes distract from the center of focus, and many drawings seem too small and detailed for young children. This chunky book feels endlessly long, with an exhaustive cataloging of objects, so it’s likely to be perused in random order and not in its entirety. The colored pen-and-ink illustrations are skillful, sweet, and simple, but they are not exceptional enough to elevate the lackluster text. With its overly long, awkward format, it is difficult to imagine where this book might fit in.–Jess deCourcy Hinds, Bard High School Early College Queens, NY