Review - Book

From Head to Toe
by Eric Carle

We've been getting Eric Carle books for TV for a long time now, starting with of course his classic - The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

But 'From Head to Toe' has proved to be the most engaging, entertaining and inspiring book for TV by Eric Carle. The pictures are bright and beautiful, a typical Carle. The rhythm and repetition is great and effective, again as always. But what's special about this book it's 'play with me' format.

I am a ---- and I do -----. Can you do it? I can do it!

Different animals doing different actions - from head to toe. Like a penguin turning head, a monkey swinging arms, a crocodile wriggling hips, elephant stomping his foot. And the repeated use of the Can you do it? question by these animals actually got TV to respond in a 'Yes, I can do it!' like the kids in the book and actually DO it.

The book is like a game that the seasoned picture book artiste-author plays with kids!

Besides the engaging format of a game, what TV also enjoys and mimics is the different expressions on the kids faces. As a mother what I also liked was a subtle introduction to different animals and what their peculiar traits are.


RAW rating - *****