Review: I Like Toys, I Like Peas

There's something to be said for beautifully-designed baby/toddler books. Why should kids miss out on stunning design just because they're little? Why foist upon their young eyes anything less than superb - yes, even at the tender age of under 1.

Lorena Siminovich has done a delectable job of creating these super-stylish board books for tots. From the wood grain backgrounds to the seriously gorgeous graphics, I Like Toys and I Like Peas take kids on a glorious eyefest through a variety of toys and foods.

But not only that. There's also a snatch of wonderful textures in this book, provided by corrugated card, fabric and other tactile elements, built into the pages, making delicious lumps and bumps for little fingers, along with the mesmerising shapes and colour.

The author has also created complementary pages, such as a variety of squares on one page then a stack of building blocks on the other... a cob of corn on one page then a field of maize on the other, showing 'tall' and 'short' plants heralding their corn husks.

These books are subtle, clever and utterly gorgeous. They're also well-made and extremely hardy. What more could you want for your wee one's eyes and hands?

Title: I Like Toys / I Like Peas

Author: Lorena Siminovich

Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $14.95

Publication Date: 1 February 2011

ISBN: 9781848773813 / 9781848773820

Format: Hard cover

For ages: 1 – 3

Type: Board Book