The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Globe Life

Related Photos

  • Jeana Gockley

    book_JeanaGockleynewdrop.jpg

Discussion

December 4, 2012

Jeana Gockley: Bizzy Bear series clearly the best board books

By Jeana Gockley Globe Columnist

JOPLIN, Mo. — Before having a little one of my own, I didn't know a lot about board books, and I didn't spend a lot of time reading or looking through them.

I ordered them for the library and I would, almost on a daily basis, recommend them to new parents. And I'd explain to said new parents that this type of book was durable, easy to wipe off and, thanks to its size, good for small hands to manipulate. But I did not put a lot of thought into what was actually happening story-wise or illustration-wise inside the books.

However, after many hours of reading board books with my little one, I have discovered that not all board books are created equal. Some are heads above the competition. Tops on my current favorites list is the "Bizzy Bear" series from Nosy Crow Publishing.

Currently, there are four Bizzy Bear titles available: "Let's Go and Play!", "Let's Get to Work!", "Fun on the Farm" and "Off We Go!" The library owns multiple copies of each title, so I have been fortunate to read all the books numerous times.

My little one's favorite is "Off We Go," but they are all wonderfully creative. In "Off We Go," Bizzy Bear employees use various modes of transportation and on the final page end up relaxing aboard a sailboat.

While the story in each book is clever and the illustrations are bright, engaging and depict things that children can relate to their own lives, the best parts of the books are the movable elements -- pull-out tabs, sliders and a fancy roundabout that features a turnable wheel in "Off We Go" -- and the heavy-duty construction of the pages.

I have no idea how the books are constructed to be so sturdy, but I can attest to the fact that they will stand up to heavy abuse. Trust me, my little one loves Bizzy Bear -- so much so that all I have to do is start reciting Bizzy Bear, with or without the book, and crazy-fast crawling to my lap ensues -- and is not gentle when "reading" the stories alone.

Fans will be happy to know that there are two more titles that feature Bizzy Bear: "Pirate Adventure" and "Fire Rescue," due out in January 2013. You can bet the library will get multiple copies of both titles, but because of their popularity, you might want to place a hold on them soon.

I cannot say enough great things about Bizzy Bear. He is akin to a rock star in my house.

I owe a big thank you to Betsy Bird, fellow librarian and big-time school library journal blogger, for my introduction to Bizzy Bear. Her blog, where she offers a full review of one of the Bizzy Bear titles and other board books, can be found at blog.schoollibrary journal.com/afuse8 production.

 

Jeana Gockley is the children's librarian at Joplin Public Library.

Text Only
Globe Life
  • 051913_star-rack2.jpg Prototype of a drying rack for Stars of Hope earns award, emotional response

    Michael Moritz, Travis Coffee and Kenneth Paylor had no idea that an assignment for their senior design class at Missouri Southern State University would win an award or the emotional gratitude from a service organization.

    May 20, 2013 2 Photos

  • ryan richardson Ryan Richardson: Groups give tips for preventing dog bites

    When I was a teenager in the '90s I had an unfortunate incident with my neighbor's dog, a Brittany, that I had grown up with. It took a chunk out of my thigh when I went into the neighbors' yard to retrieve a ball.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • 091108-Frankie-Meyer_c.jpg Frankie Meyer: Information is only as good as its source

    Those details later become crucial as contradictory information is found, which it will be. How can one decide which detail is correct if the sources of the details are unknown?

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • Jeana Gockley 2013.jpg Jeana Gockley: Library lines up reading club books

    The Joplin Public Library's annual Summer Reading Club kicks off on Tuesday, May 28, so in preparation for a great summer of reading, I have been digging for titles that fit with this year's "Dig Into Reading" theme.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • 091108-Frankie-Meyer_c.jpg Frankie Meyer: Prepare for holiday visits to cemeteries

    Memorial Day weekend is the ideal time to not only decorate the graves of loved ones, but also learn the location of unmarked graves -- and learn about relatives who are buried nearby. That weekend is also a great time to contact living relatives.

    May 13, 2013 1 Photo

  • images_sizedimage_032123610 Patty Crane: Mystery series should appeal to Reacher fans

    In the novel "Taken" by Robert Crais, a bajadores is a predator that kidnaps people being smuggled into the country. The bajadores, the Syrian, demands ransom from families of the people he kidnaps. His ransom demands are low, and as long as the families pay, the demands continue.

    May 13, 2013 1 Photo

  • ryan richardson Ryan Richardson: Harness works better than a leash

    This is the time of year to take your dog outside to enjoy the weather. You both get exercise, you bond more, and it gives you an opportunity to work together as a team. I take my dog out as much as I can, and my dog is happy to see other dogs when we go on walks.

    May 13, 2013 1 Photo

  • r050713academicstars5.jpg Mutual admiration: Academic Team members thank teachers for inspiration, drive

    Members of The Joplin Globe's All-Area Academic Excellence Team thanked teachers for inspiring them to push themselves during a recognition banquet Monday at Missouri Southern State University.

    May 13, 2013 1 Photo

  • images_sizedimage_312124454 Linda Cannon: Book covers subtleties' effects on humans

    I'm always a sucker for books on what makes people tick, so I grabbed "Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave" by Adam Alter as soon as I saw it. Alter holds a Ph.D. in applied psychology from Princeton and is an assistant professor at NYU.

    May 6, 2013 1 Photo

  • 091108-Frankie-Meyer_c.jpg Frankie Meyer: Old home sites treasures to discover

    We genealogists do a similar activity as part of our research. The treasures that we seek are old home sites. Instead of using GPS coordinates, we use clues such as the presence of rusted metal, cellar holes and vintage plants.

    May 6, 2013 1 Photo

Facebook
Poll

Two kinds of freshwater mussels, both found in Spring River, could be placed on the endangered species list. That would mean some dredging or placement of bridges could be affected. Do you think the mussels should be placed on the list?

A. Yes.
B. No.
     View Results
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
NDN Video
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla. Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings