Whose Tools?

Reviewed by: Bernie Alie - Kennebunk Free Library, Kennebunk ME, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 2, 2015

Review

Sturdy board book pages fold out to engage children in a guessing game featuring tools used in the building of a house. Children are introduced to various building professionals, from mason to roofer, electrician, plumber and painter.

The repeated refrain of "Whose tools are those?/Do you know?" is paired with a rhyming clue that references the tools illustrated and named on the opposing page. Fold out the tool page to discover the answer.

Full color illustrations show anthropomorphized tools with faces and legs added. Racially diverse people include both men and women. This is no guide on how the tools are used; some tools are depicted as merely hanging from a pocket on the answer page. Although the roofer states she "nails shingles in straight rows," the accompanying illustration shows zigzag and triangle patterns. Although the rows are technically straight, the illustration may cause confusion in literal-minded youngsters.

Simple text may encourage new readers to give this a try. Even the flaps on this book will stand up to repeated readings. With a variety of professions available, one can hope that this is the first in a series. Recommended for all libraries.

Overall Book Score: good