Simms Taback's Big Book of Words

From The Critics

Every baby needs a good word-building book, and this one, illustrated by Caldecott medalist Taback, raises the bar for all the rest. In its 92 pages, the book identifies an abundance of everyday objects, from cereal to snowsuits. Appealing, simple shapes and bright colors ensure sustained attention. (Ages birth to 2)
Child magazine's Best Children's Book Awards 2004

Publishers Weekly

Divided into categories of "Playthings," "Clothing," "Food" and "Animals," Simms Taback's Big Book of Words offers a straightforward collection of kid-friendly vocab and accompanying illustrations, one per page. A standout spread pairs "kitty's milk" (in a bowl) with "baby's milk" (in a bottle). Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Caldecott Medal-winner Taback wields a strong black line and vibrating color on each of these pages, where an object sits on a plain white background. The four sections-playthings, clothing, food, and animals-appeal to the deepest interests of the toddler set. Each page has but one word (or, very occasionally, a phrase like "pail and shovel" or "peanut butter and jelly") and its image. There's no forgetting that Taback is an artist. Probably no real teddy bear ever wore such a bow tie with his striped pants and backwards baseball cap, and no real child ever wore a shirt of such delirious black and orange plaid. But no matter, the eye-popping colors only serve to identify the object-hot-pink pockets on the turquoise jeans, yellow, green, and red keys on a blue chain, a positively psychedelic red tomato. The only misstep is the telephone, a black number with a dial and a cord that children may not recognize at all. (Picture book. 3-6)