Zonderkidz Summer Reading

I have to tell you, I was SO excited for the timing of the two books I am reviewing today. They showed up on my doorstep the day before I was heading to see my granddaughter! What I forgot though was that I have actually reviewed Fiona It's Bedtime before! Ooops. This time it's a board book so in that sense it's different. BUT, what IS different this time is that my granddaughter is here and I was able to read this to her. It's wonderful that she'll be able to enjoy the board book now and enjoy the hardcover when she's a bit older. I just enjoy the Fiona books so much I want them all. I should've done the Early Reader books as well, but she's got quite a bit of time before she's there yet.

Here are my reviews for both books I received!

The Beginner's Bible First 100 Animal Words

Publisher: Zonderkidz

ISBN: 9780310770633

Summary:

Are you looking for a fun way to teach your toddler about animals? Early readers will learn their first animal words set within classic Bible stories with The Beginner’s Bible First 100 Animal Words.

Presenting child-friendly illustrations, this beautifully illustrated board book offers:

• Emerging readers ages 0-4 an opportunity to learn words from beloved Bible stories
• A sturdy format that is perfect for toddlers’ little hands
• Engaging 3D art with plenty of details to hold a young child’s attention 

The Beginner’s Bible First 100 Animals Words is great for:

• Birthdays, Easter baskets, Children's Baptism and holiday gifting
• Road trips, boredom busters, and activity time
• Home school and Children’s Ministry (Sunday school) use

The Beginner's Bible has been a favorite illustrated Bible with young children and their parents since its release in 1989 with over 25 million products sold. Followers of this brand should also check out The Beginner’s Bible First 100 Bible Words, The Beginner’s Bible Learn Your Letters, and The Beginner’s Bible Learn Your Numbers.

My Review:

It was really fun to go through this book with my granddaughter. Yes, she's still a baby, but the illustrations are so colorful! With 100 animals Zonderkidz had a fun array of them to teach my granddaughter about. They used animals and words that you might not find with a traditional book to teach about animals. I mean, how often do you read the word "sand cat" to an infant?

I hadn't thought about how many animals one could learn about through the Bible unless it was the plagues or a talking donkey, BUT, The Beginners Bible did a great job of coming up with a fun selection of them such as the kind the disciples who were fishermen might've encountered!

I would've thought they'd go in order of Biblical accounts, but they had Genesis 1 after Genesis 2. It was strange reading about Adam naming the animals and then reading that God made the animals. Just one of those things that makes me twitchy.

Fiona It's Bedtime (Board Book)

Illustrated by: Richard Cowdrey

Publisher: Zonderkidz

ISBN: 9780310767749

Summary:

Join your favorite hippo, Fiona, in this cuddly read-aloud picture book as she says good night to all her animal friends at the zoo before she snuggles up with her mama and settles in for a warm and safe slumber—encouraging your own child to drift off to sleep with their own bedtime routine.

A follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Fiona the Hippo and A Very Fiona Christmas, Fiona, It’s Bedtime is the first sleepy time board book starring the adorable internet sensation from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

This board book edition is great for little hands that love to explore. Fiona, It's Bedtime:

• Features art by New York Times bestselling artist Richard Cowdrey (Fiona the Hippo, Bad Dog, Marley)
• Takes kids on a nighttime adventure as they get to see how the zoo animals sleep at night
• Has fun, rhyming text that will engage children while soothing them for their own bedtime ritual

Fiona, It’s Bedtime is the perfect gift for Fiona enthusiasts, birthdays, holiday gift giving, and any animal lover who’s ready for a story that’s a little bit sweet, a little bit cuddly, and a little bit different than other read-aloud bedtime board books.

Check out other titles in the Fiona the Hippo series: Fiona the Hippo and A Very Fiona Christmas

My Review:

There's just something about an adorable hippo getting ready for bed at the zoo that is irresistible! As with the hardcover that I reviewed, this board book is absolutely precious. The illustrations are sweet and soft looking. You may think this book might only appeal to the little ones, but once you turn the first page, as a mama, grandma, daddy, or grandpa, you'll be just as enthralled as they are!

Visiting the animals like the otter family or tortoises, Fiona sees how all of the other animals fall asleep.  How could you not want to hug up to her as she's going to sleep and fall asleep right along with her? The poem on each page is delightful and I think each child will be drawn into the story though each one. This story will make you want to have more of Fiona's experiences at the zoo!