A new board book series from Kids Can Press, Learning with Animals explains basic concepts using various groupings of animals. Each book begins with a two-page spread including all the featured animals and an inviting introductory phrase (“In the ocean…” or “In the tropics…”), before moving on to illustrate the specific concept. The final pages are also a double-page spread, which reviews the ideas presented in the text. Some books provide a bonus lesson: Numbers with Farm Animals mentions animal sounds, and Shapes with Ocean Animals includes active verbs (crabs snapping, shrimp twirling), making these titles doubly useful.

Although it’s a charming and engaging series, it has two shortcomings. Some confusing images and text are presented here. For example, in The Alphabet with Wild Animals, a monarch butterfly represents the letter M. However, this information is too detailed for toddlers just learning to identify the general concept of a butterfly, which of course begins with B. Similarly, orangutan (O) could be confused with monkey, tuna (T) with fish, panda (P) with bear, and so on. These creatures belong in a book about wild animals rather than the alphabet. Purists should also be warned that in Shapes with Ocean Animals, the depictions of the animals have been tweaked to conform to abstract shapes – real turtles are not perfect pentagons, nor are sperm whales rectangular.

However, these two considerations don’t overshadow the many good qualities of the series. The gentle yet colourful palette and illustrative style are appropriate for the audience. The friendly animals are expressive and appealing and roam through interesting backgrounds. Watt’s depictions often have a light comic touch, especially in Opposites, where her original interpretations are particularly effective. The overall design of this series is neat and pleasing and its titles should sell and circulate well.