Publishers Weekly
- Cahners\\Publishers_Weekly
Once again Cousins deftly demonstrates her understanding of kids, as-with the help of amusingly designed flaps and tabs-her winsome mouse character (Maisy Goes to School, etc.) puts a beguiling twist on the alphabet-book genre. The fun begins on the first spread: as Maisy sails the ocean blue, an "alligator" lies in wait behind the liftable sail of her "boat." On the opposite page, a "crab" lurks behind an underwater plant and a pull-tab "dolphin" jumps from the water. Other scenarios include a fetching full-spread closeup of Maisy (typifying a "mouse," of course) with a "ladybird" crawling across her "nose." With their vibrant colors and thick outlines, Cousins's trademark childlike illustrations suit this format to a "t" (train).
Publishers Weekly
- Publisher's Weekly
Once again Cousins deftly demonstrates her understanding of kids, as-with the help of amusingly designed flaps and tabs-her winsome mouse character (Maisy Goes to School, etc.) puts a beguiling twist on the alphabet-book genre. The fun begins on the first spread: as Maisy sails the ocean blue, an ``alligator'' lies in wait behind the liftable sail of her ``boat.'' On the opposite page, a ``crab'' lurks behind an underwater plant and a pull-tab ``dolphin'' jumps from the water. Other scenarios include a fetching full-spread closeup of Maisy (typifying a ``mouse,'' of course) with a ``ladybird'' crawling across her ``nose.'' With their vibrant colors and thick outlines, Cousins's trademark childlike illustrations suit this format to a ``t'' (train). Ages 3-up. (Mar.)
Children's Literature
- Judith Gravitz
Hooray for another Maisy book! Fans of these sturdy "lift-the-flap and pull-the-tab" books will not be disappointed with Cousins' latest endeavor. Engaging illustrations complement this colorful romp through the alphabet. A basic alphabet book in concept, one pictured word per letter, is played with as Cousins occasionally combines a few creatures together in one place-in alphabetical order of course! Rabbit and Snake ride on a Train in a particularly vibrant spread. A welcomed addition for Maisy fans and young alphabet learners.
Children's Literature
- Marilyn Courtot and Judith Gravitz
Like many other ABC books, this one shows the upper and lower case versions of the letters. It has the added attraction of pull-tab and lift-the-flap elements. So, we see a dolphin for the letter D and when we pull the tab, the dolphin leaps out of the water. There are some interesting word choices here. N is for nose and O is for ostrich, but it is always interesting to see how letters such as U, V, W, and X are handled. Cousins has made them all part of a spread that features musical instruments—ukelele, violin, whistle, and xylophone. Final letters Y and Z are represented by a yoyo and zebra; here, both Maisy and the zebra are playing with yoyos. Engaging illustrations complement this colorful romp through the alphabet. While this is a basic alphabet book in concept with one pictured word per letter, Cousins plays with the format to occasionally combine a few creatures together in one place—in alphabetical order, of course! For example, one particularly vibrant spread shows Rabbit and Snake riding on a Train. This book will be a welcome addition for Maisy fans and young alphabet learners. Also in the "Maisy Lift-the-Flap Classic" series are Happy Birthday, Maisy!, Maisy at the Farm, Maisy Goes to School, and Maisy Goes to the Playground. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot and Judith Gravitz
Children's Literature
- Susie Wilde
Lucy Cousins' character Maisy is already known and loved by young fans everywhere. In this book, she becomes a wonderful guide for alphabet learning in Maisy's ABC where flaps and tabs show a kite that flies, a train that carries cargo of snakes and a rabbit hidden behind flaps, and all kinds of other surprises. It is all done with the colorfully bright playful style Cousins has made famous. Both the longer paper pulls and the subject make this book best for young preschoolers.
