Whose nose? feet? ears? by Jeanette Rowe

Reviewed by Magdalena Ball

Jeannette Rowe’s books are vibrant and child friendly, full of big, naïve, and visually appealing pictures with characters like YoYo that young children love instantly. Her lift-the-flap Whose series is very basic and ideal for the youngest children in your family (from about 6 months or so), and parents can really help develop early cognative skills plus a love of books by haming it up and asking the question, “Whose nose?” and then answering “Pig’s nose.” Children really enjoy looking at pictures of animals and as soon as they are old enough to speak, they will begin identifying the owners of noses, feet and ears themselves.

The Whose series was originally created as small individual books, sold in sets of three, but this new compilation has all three books in one large, glossy hardback, perfect for gift giving. Children will love Rowe’s big gold pig with purple dots, her vivid cobalt blue elephant outlined in green and black, her white and pink mouse, the turquoise rhino, and other adorable and unique creatures. This new book is sturdier than the little ones, and as the flaps are a simple fold back, will withstand use from small, chubby fingers just coming to grips with their fine motor skills.

Rowe’s books have now become classics for the youngest children in the house, and this new compilation is very likely to be a favourite. Older children, especially new readers around 4-5 will enjoy reading this to younger siblings, and both will benefit from the confidence building that comes with being able to get the questions right and successfully participate. The books focus on two things that young children know and understand well – body parts and animals, and all three “stories” end with a reference to the child – “my feet,” which parents can make much of by tickling, pointing at the child, and generally having fun. This is a lovely, gorgeously presented book which has been designed to take the kind of heavy use that it will certainly get in any home with young children. A beautiful Christmas present. For more information visit: http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=160658

Whose nose? feet? ears? by Jeanette Rowe ABC Books ISBN 0-7333-1423-6, hardback, 2004

This book first appeared at Preschool Entertainment. It is reprinted here with permission.