'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Review: Little Angler

I live in the water, deep down in the sea.

Check out my light, it’s as bright as can be.

Take a deep, deep underwater adventure with Little Angler in this gorgeous lift-the-flap board book by Zoe Gaetjens and Heidi McKinnon.

Something looks tickly, what could it be?

I’ll turn on my light, then we can see.


As you move through the pages, Little Angler spots a variety of sea pals with different features — tickly, wobbly, pinchy pals from the ocean’s depths. But he can only see part of them. You, the reader, will have to help him guess what the creature is. 

Descriptions provide one clue and there are visual clues to assess as well. Take a guess before lifting the flap to reveal a new sea creature friend. At the end of the book, there’s one more thing to find. Not a friend, but something else that’s very special.

This is a gorgeous and highly interactive board book for younglings. Its beautiful repetitive flow will have kids reading along, and the guessing opportunities are great for big group settings. Gaetjens has masterfully created a book that teaches while it entertains, with the entertaining being the dominant feature (the way it should be).

In McKinnon’s stunning illustration style, expect bright, bold colours with splashes of patterns and texture. Oh-so-funky and always a joy to explore.

Little Angler is a little stunner of a board book, and a great addition for little libraries everywhere. 

Title: Little Angler 
Author: Zoe Gaetjens
Illustrator: Heidi McKinnon
Publisher: Little Book Press, $19.99
Publication Date: 26 March 2024
Format: Board Book
ISBN: 9780645401486
For ages:  2 - 4
Type: Board Books, Picture Books