It's Fun to Be One

PreSchool-Clear, vivid photographs of appealing children on the covers of these books promise delightful descriptions of the activities of one-and two-year-olds, but that promise is only partially fulfilled. Each double-page spread contains a full-page photo on the right and a quarter-page cameo shot with text on the left. The smaller pictures do not allow for toddlers' careful examination. It's Fun to Be One has somewhat static, attractive portraits of multiethnic babies brushing their teeth, talking on a toy phone, taking early steps, smiling from a kiddy-car, etc. For "You can...feed yourself," a little girl empties a bowl on her head. In It's Great to Be Two, the pictures are just as professional and posed, but the children are more active, and are shown examining a puzzle, stacking blocks, scribbling with crayons, finger-painting, pulling off shoes-all easily recognizable pastimes. Both books end abruptly with an end-of-day scene, which is a letdown. Acceptable additional purchases.
Nancy Seiner, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

With their spontaneous, unposed air, Pragoff's color photographs celebrate youngsters' growing abilities. An upbeat, minimal text accompanies images of exuberant one-year-olds of many races banging pots, jangling keys, taking first steps and indulging in other toddler-esque behavior. Pragoff's equally chippper two-year-old models exhibit growing sophistication: activities shown here include drawing, building a tower of colored blocks and piecing together a puzzle. Mealtime, too, is a far more dignified affair than the pasta-flinging fest seen in One. Printed on extra-sturdy tear- and bite-resistant paper coated with an easy-to-clean emulsion, these volumes are likely to withstand plenty of enthusiastic handling. Ages 1-4.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.