Helen Martin – Aussie Reviews

The ABC Book of Dinosaurs, by Helen Martin and Judith Simpson

The ABC Book of Dinosaurs is a sturdy board book introducing dinosaurs to small children. The text is sparing and the illustrations gentle. Size comparisons are demonstrated very clearly in illustrations where the text indicates ‘small’ and ‘tall’ etc. Accurate names are used, but so too are descriptors like ‘spiky tail’ for the Kentrosaurus and ‘three sharp horns for Triceratops. The narrative text is rhyming, and different font sizes are used to help differentiate between the narrative text and labels and the like. Illustrations are pastel coloured with plenty of white space to allow close examination of each of these remarkable creatures.

Dinosaurs continue to entrance generation after generation of young children. The ABC Book of Dinosaurs is a new title for the very young in a series that includes the beautiful ‘Animals’. The ABC Book of Dinosaurs offers accurate information in a very simple style without overwhelming the illustrations or ‘dumbing down’. Danny Snell’s illustrations have smiling faces…even the big-toothed Tyrannosaurus Rex appears almost friendly. A beautiful book. Recommended for toddlers and dinosaur fans.

The ABC Book of Dinosaurs , Helen Martin and Judith Simpson, ill Danny Snell
ABC Books Harper Collins 2009
ISBN: 9780733324796

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com

This book can be purchased online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

The ABC Book of Animals, by Helen Martin & Judith Simpson

The ABC Book of Animalsfeatures a wide range of animals from all over the world. Baby animals hatch, squirm and totter. They hitch rides with Mum or make their own way. There are words to describe how different animals move and the noises they make. There are bushland animals, grassland animals, sea and snow land animals. Even farm animals are here, making their farmyard noises. Animals have different skin. Some have scales, others feathers. Some skin is soft, some tough and leathery. And finally animals sleep. Each double page spread with multiple animals and descriptions is followed by spreads with a more detailed look at selected animals in their habitat, eating, moving and sleeping.

The ABC Book of Animals is a sturdy board book, perfect for little fingers. It is easy to imagine it becoming a household favourite. The range of pictured animals is wide and varied. For the younger child there are animals to identify. For the older child, there is information related to each animal and about their habitat. They can also act out the movements described, and play at hopping and swooping, growling and hissing. The illustrations are realistic both in form and colour and are beautifully rendered in watercolour. A perfect first book on the world of animals. Recommended for toddlers up.

The ABC Book of Animals, Helen Martin and Judith Simpson, ill Anne Bowman
ABC Books 2008
ISBN: 9780733323829

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.