One of my favorite picture books was re-released in 2023 as a board book: Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Ho Baek Lee (Clarion). It’s a faithful, uncut adaptation, but the new cover wisely zooms in on the young protagonist. Often board book versions of time-tested hardcover picture books, like this one that debuted in 2005, are produced years later. For other titles, board book versions can be second chances when hardcovers go out of print or sales dip.
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One of my favorite picture books was re-released in 2023 as a board book: Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Ho Baek Lee (Clarion). It’s a faithful, uncut adaptation, but the new cover wisely zooms in on the young protagonist. Often board book versions of time-tested hardcover picture books, like this one that debuted in 2005, are produced years later. For other titles, board book versions can be second chances when hardcovers go out of print or sales dip.
But not every picture book should be adapted, and the transition is not as simple as reducing trim size and printing stiff pages. Publishers have tried board book adaptations of plenty of “classics” over the years, but being a classic picture book doesn’t automatically mean something will work as a board book. Goodnight Moon is a perfect board book, but what baby or toddler would be interested in the lengthy text and complex story of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs?
Mary-Kate Gaudet, executive editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, shared some factors the publisher considers in board book conversion: “We always take into account the age-appropriateness of the work’s original text and illustrations first, and then consider if we would be doing either a disservice if we were to adapt them to our house standard 7 x 7-inch trim.” She went on to share that editors’ processes vary, but conferring with the creators of the original work is key.
My own considerations parallel the ones Gaudet named. I’ve shared them here along with recent picture books that successfully crossed over to the board book format:
Some picture-book adaptations into board books are heavily cut and others remain relatively intact. I prefer the latter, but condensing books can be useful for the audience. The lovely simplicity of Gail Gibbons’s art is perfect for toddlers, but her text is too long for them. Holiday House has stepped up by releasing trimmed board book versions with Monarch Butterfly and Seed to Plant. Things I Know How to Do (Abrams Appleseed) by the late Amy Schwartz is an adaptation of 100 Things I Know How to Do (Abrams). This edition sensibly reduces the number of examples, but the heart of this charmer still beats through.
While some illustrations can survive reduction, it can result in eye-straining imagery. Picture books with clear, graphically simple illustrations often work well, such as Aaron Blabey’s I Need a Hug (Cartwheel/Scholastic). His droll critters against solid backgrounds accompanied by punchy rhymes succeed in a board book. And many early readers transitioned to board books, such as I Hop / Salto by Joe Cepeda and I See a Cat / Veo un gato by Paul Meisel (both Holiday), work since they are already smaller in size and the clear relationship between text and art created for new readers also supports oral language development.
While many hardcover picture books can age down, it is not universal. Complicated plots and conceptual ideas may lose something in translation. Visually, a book like I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen (Candlewick) may look perfect for adaptation, but toddlers still developing theory of mind (the idea that others have their own mental states) may struggle to understand this unreliable narrator.
Board books’ stiff pages can be an opportunity to add playful elements or make existing ones sturdier, like those of Hervé Tullet and Eric Carle. The 2023 board book editions of Big Red Fire Truck and Big Silver Spaceship, both by Ken Wilson-Max with paper engineering by Jo Lodge (Boxer), strengthen and simplify interactive features from these out-of-print picture books to ensure that toddlers can slide fire trucks, raise ladders, and spray (imaginary) water with gusto.
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When these factors are considered during hardcover-to-board conversion, we all win. Babies and toddlers get a chance to sink their teeth (often literally) into these offerings sooner, and buyers appreciate the lower price point. Here are a few more cases of picture books that successfully got on board in 2023. (Some books are reviewed from electronic galleys or page proofs.)
Marta!: Big & Small
by Jen Arena; illus. by Angela Dominguez (Roaring Brook)
(Picture-book edition rev. 5/16.) In this delightful exploration of opposites with Spanish adjectives interspersed, we see a child’s characteristics through the eyes of various animals. Dominguez’s clear images, outlined in subtle yellow, pop against the white background in this smaller size. While pages are condensed and the glossary removed, all of Marta’s “grande” personality is present. For another board book adaptation that includes both English and Spanish, roll out Dominguez’s I Love You, Baby Burrito (Roaring Brook; picture-book edition rev. 1/21).
Bird House
by Blanca Gómez (Abrams Appleseed)
(Picture-book edition Abrams; rev. 7/21.) In the gentlest of stories, a youngster recounts the experience of rescuing an injured yellow bird with their abuela. While the text is simultaneously spare and profound, most of the story is told through Gómez’s cozy paper collages, with little lost in the smaller edition. For additional heartfelt family dramas, see the board book version of Big Sister, Little Sister by LeUyen Pham (LB Kids/Little, Brown) and the original board book Lake Life with You by Cindy Jin, illustrated by Andrés Landazábal (Little Simon).
Shapes
by Shelley Rotner and Anne Woodhull; photos by Shelley Rotner (Holiday)
Rotner’s work is a natural successor to Tana Hoban’s striking but grounded photographs. In vivid images that remain effective despite smaller pages, Rotner explores shapes in nature, in objects, and among people. The spare text holds surprises as “CIRCLES float” as bubbles, “TRIANGLES chime” in the percussion instrument, and “OVALS pop” as balloons. See Colors, also released in 2023.
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And here are some original, notable board books that were published in 2023:
When Stars Arise
by E. G. Alaraj; illus. by Martyna Czub (Orca)
Many of the best bedtime board books read like lullabies. Here the lyrical refrain also employs reverse psychology: “Don’t close your eyes / until the twinkling stars arise.” Mirroring the gentle verse, soft watercolors show a black-haired kiddo with medium-brown skin exploring the natural world before going home for bedtime. For more lyrical board book titles, look for Puddle Song by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Monique Felix (Creative Editions) and Barn in Winter: Safe and Warm on the Farm by Chambrae Griffith, illustrated by Taia Morley (Cottage Door).
Look: A Tummy Time Book
by Gavin Bishop (Gecko)
The Māori picture book author/illustrator from New Zealand has been delving into board books of late. Here, accordion-fold binding makes the book a perfect engagement tool for infant tummy-time sessions, when little ones lie on their bellies to build up core muscles. One side of each of the eleven wordless panels is populated by a series of faces of various hues floating on bold backgrounds, including, notably, one person who has a moko kauae, Māori women’s traditional chin tattoo. The flip side reveals common objects and animals, including keys, glasses, toys, and a snail. Rounded corners would have made this board book more baby-appropriate, but it’s a unique addition to the small but growing tummy-time bookshelf. For another wordless, accordion-fold offering, this one starring black and white animals, unfurl Baby’s Black & White Contrast Book illustrated by Tabitha Paige (Paige Tate & Co.).
My Hair Is like the Sun
by St. Clair Detrick-Jules; illus. by Tabitha Brown (Chronicle)
In this jubilant celebration in verse, Black children liken their hair to various natural phenomena. Braided hair is “like a waterfall, rushing toward the ground,” and curls are “like a river, winding all around.” Gorgeous photos of children sporting natural hairstyles appear on the verso, and across the spread Brown illustrates the rhymes with clear graphics. For more Black-centered selections, head for The Numbers Store and The Rainbow Park by Harold Green III, illustrated by DeAnn Wiley (Running), concept books featuring two playful siblings.
I’m Hungry
by Elise Gravel (Orca)
A red, round, emoji-esque monster is hungry and eats whatever is in view: pizza, then the plate, then the pizza box. The cartoon creature is sure to cause giggles as the meals get increasingly silly with the consumption of the toilet, the house, and maybe even the reader. For another humorous title with critters who may (non-scarily!) munch on humans, try What a Pest!: A Creepy, Crawly Counting Book by Elliot Kreloff (Collective Book Studio), featuring some pesky bugs.
Flora and Friends ABC
by Molly Idle (Chronicle)
Some board books, rather than being direct adaptations, are instead wholly new stories starring favorite picture-book characters. From Atlantic puffins to zebra finches, Idle gives Flora (Flora and the Flamingo, rev. 7/13, and sequels, including both picture books and board books) new animal friends to meet and youngsters sturdier flaps to open. For more picture-book characters crossing over to board books, look for the bilingual Alma and Her Family / Alma y su familia and Alma, Head to Toe / Alma, de pies a cabeza (Candlewick; Alma and How She Got Her Name, rev. 5/18) by Juana Martinez-Neal, and the taco-shaped Dragon’s First Taco (Dial; Dragons Love Tacos) by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri.
The Wheels on the Costume
by Cindy Jin; illus. by Lauren Lowen (Little Simon)
Link to Heao Printing
This is a welcome, joyful board book featuring children using wheelchairs. The wheelchairs are integrated into children’s costumes, with trick-or-treaters dressed as a construction worker driving a bulldozer or as carriage-riding royalty. The classic song “The Wheels on the Bus” is adapted for each child, and there are two cardboard wheels to spin while singing. For more books about wheels, rev up Driving My Tractor by Jan Dobbins, illustrated by David Sim (Barefoot), with a song available online performed by SteveSongs; and I’m Your Ice Cream Truck by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Belinda Chen (Little Simon).
Don’t Mix Up My Puppy!
by Rosamund Lloyd; illus. by Spencer Wilson (Tiger Tales)
I appreciate when board book creators, designers, and paper engineers innovate. This offering combines a spinning dial with touch-and-feel elements. Little ones can twirl it until they align the correct tail with the right puppy. The text offers vocabulary-building descriptive words including “velvety,” “flowy,” and “fluffy.” Other series editions feature dinosaurs and ocean life. For more creatively interactive titles, slide the panels of Puppy, Puppy Peekaboo (other series titles star a duckling, a cow, and a lion) by Grace Habib (Boxer).
Cheera [Simply Small]
by Paola Opal (Simply Read)
In the latest installment of the Simply Small series, Cheera, a cheetah cub, can’t seem to settle at naptime. Told through spare prose and adorable, thickly outlined cartoons, it’s a simple but emotionally resonant scenario that toddlers will readily recognize. The cuteness continues in Kawwa, a title in the series starring a hatchling. See also Hello, Tiny Bear! by Yusuke Yonezu (Minedition), featuring flaps and a curious cub.
Little Bear, Where Are You?
by Ekaterina Trukhan (Nosy Crow)
Often, the Mylar mirrors featured in board books are embedded on the very last page. This title puts one under each animal-shaped flap. The text, based on the “Finger Family Song” with a recording accessible via a QR code on the back cover, asks the various animals, “Where are you?” The frog, deer, rabbit, and bear respond with the refrain “Here I am! Here I am!” and ask the infant reader, “Where are you?” When the flap is opened, babies will see themselves in the mirror, which provides an answer. Little Dog, Where Are You? is also available.
From the January/February 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.
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In the world of children’s books, there are two popular formats that parents often find themselves choosing between: board books and paperbacks. Each has its own unique features and advantages, making the decision a bit challenging. In this article, we will explore what exactly board books and paperbacks are, the key differences between them, and how to choose the right one for your child.
A paperback book, also known as a softcover book is a type of book that has a flexible cover made of paper or cardstock. It is the most common format for books targeted towards older children and adults. Paperbacks are lightweight, portable, and easy to carry around, making them convenient for travel and on-the-go reading. They generally have a larger number of pages compared to board books, allowing for more detailed illustrations and complex storytelling.
On the other hand, a board book is a type of book that is specifically designed for babies and toddlers. Unlike paperback or hardcover books, board books have thick, sturdy pages made from cardboard or heavy paperboard. The pages are typically laminating to make them resistant to spills, tears, and other forms of damage. Board books are usually smaller in size, making them easier for little hands to hold and manipulate.
Board books are specifically created to withstand the rough handling that often comes with young children. They are designed to be chewed, drooled on, and thrown around without sustaining significant damage. The thick, durable pages make it easier for young children to turn the pages themselves and explore the book independently.
Board books are intended for infants and toddlers, typically ranging from newborn to around three years old. They are designed to be interactive and engaging, with simple and repetitive text, bright and colorful illustrations, and tactile elements such as textures or lift-the-flap features. These features help stimulate a child’s senses and promote early literacy skills. Board books are also a great tool for introducing concepts like shapes, colors, numbers, and animals to young children.
Board books are intended for infants and toddlers, typically ranging from newborn to around three years old. The sturdy construction of board books makes them safe for even the youngest readers, who are known for their tendency to explore objects with their mouths. The thick pages are resistant to tearing and chewing, ensuring that the book remains intact and free from any potential choking hazards.
Board books are specifically designed to cater to the developmental needs and interests of infants and toddlers. They are designed to be interactive and engaging, with simple and repetitive text, bright and colorful illustrations, and tactile elements such as textures or lift-the-flap features. The simple and repetitive text helps babies develop language skills and vocabulary. The colorful illustrations capture their attention and stimulate their visual senses. Additionally, the tactile elements found in many board books, such as different textures to touch or flaps to lift, encourage sensory exploration and fine motor skill development. These features help stimulate a child’s senses and promote early literacy skills. Board books are also a great tool for introducing concepts like shapes, colors, numbers, and animals to young children.
Paperback books offer several advantages that make them appealing to readers of all ages. Firstly, the flexible cover of paperback books makes them lightweight and easy to carry around. This portability allows readers to take their books with them wherever they go, whether it’s on a daily commute or a vacation.
Secondly, paperback books are often more affordable compared to board books and hardcovers. The lower production costs, result in lower retail prices. This affordability makes paperback books an excellent choice for those on a budget or avid readers who consume books at a rapid pace.
Thirdly, paperback books are more flexible in terms of reading comfort. The pliability of the cover allows readers to comfortably hold the book in one hand, making it easier to read while lounging or lying down.
Paperbacks also offer a wider variety of titles compared to board books. They cover a wide range of genres and topics, from classic literature to contemporary fiction, non-fiction, and educational books. This gives readers, including older children, access to a greater variety of reading materials and helps foster a love for reading and exploration of different genres.
While paperbacks have their advantages, board books offer a unique set of benefits that cater specifically to the needs of babies and toddlers. One of the most significant advantages of board books is their durability. With their thick, sturdy pages, board books are designed to withstand rough handling, bending, and even chewing. This durability ensures that the book can withstand the test of time and countless reading sessions with young children.
Another advantage of board books is their interactivity. Many board books are designed with engaging features such as textures to touch, flaps to lift, or even sound buttons to press. These interactive elements help keep young readers engaged, stimulate their senses, and promote early literacy skills.
Board books also have the advantage of being easy for young children to handle and manipulate. Their smaller size and thicker pages make them ideal for little hands to hold and turn the pages independently. This promotes a sense of autonomy and independence in young readers, allowing them to explore books on their own and develop a love for reading from an early age.
Lastly, board books are ideal for introducing young children to the joy of reading. The simple and repetitive text helps build early language skills and vocabulary. The illustrations in board books are often bright, bold, and engaging, capturing the attention and imagination of young readers. Board books often focus on familiar concepts, such as colors, shapes, and animals, making them relatable and engaging for young readers.
The main difference between paperback and board books lies in their construction and intended audience. Paperback books have a flexible cover made of paper or cardstock, making them lightweight and portable. They are targeted towards older children and adults, offering a wider range of genres and topics. On the other hand, board books are specifically designed for babies and toddlers, with thick cardboard pages that are durable and resistant to wear and tear.
Another key difference is the age range for each type of book. Paperback books are suitable for older children and adults. Board books cater to the developmental needs and interests of babies and toddlers. Paperback books often have more pages, allowing for more intricate storytelling and detailed illustrations. Board books, on the other hand, have simple and repetitive text, vibrant illustrations, and interactive features that engage young readers.
In terms of price, paperbacks are generally more affordable than board books. The production cost of paperbacks is lower, making them a more budget-friendly option for parents or avid readers. Board books, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive due to their sturdier construction and specialized features.
When it comes to choosing between board books and paperbacks, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, the age of your child is an important consideration. If you have a baby or toddler, board books are the ideal choice due to their durability and interactive features. On the other hand, if you have an older child or are looking for books for yourself, paperbacks offer a wider range of genres and topics to choose from.
The content and purpose of the book are also important factors to consider. If you are looking for books to introduce concepts like shapes, colors, or numbers to your child, board books are a great option. They are specifically designed to engage young readers and promote early literacy skills. However, if you’re looking for more complex storytelling or educational content, paperbacks may be a better choice.
Finally, budget and personal preferences also come into play. If portability and affordability are essential, paperback books are the way to go. However, if durability and ease of use for young children are important, board books are the better option.
In conclusion, both board books and paperbacks have their own unique advantages and cater to different age groups and reading needs. Whether you choose a board book or a paperback, the most important thing is to foster a love for reading and provide age-appropriate books that engage and inspire young minds.
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