Pie Love You (A Shaped Novelty Board Book for Toddlers)

Toddler-PreS–Each spread of this pie-shaped novelty book features a different flavor of pie, with rhyming puns declaring affection in the second person for the “you” who is listening or reading. The illustrations are bright and cheerful, and children will be drawn to the expressive faces on the pies and ingredients. The unusual format is appropriate for the subject matter but is not ideal for libraries. Its round shape makes it challenging to keep on a shelf, and the shortened spine may not be durable enough to stand up to multiple checkouts. The intended audience for this title is unclear, as children who are young enough for board books are not likely to understand the wordplay. Some of the rhymes and puns are a bit forced, like the spread with a key lime pie which reads, “Lime so happy to have you by my side.” There is no shortage of board books about a parent’s love for their child, and this one’s unconventional shape is the only thing that makes it stand out from the pack.