Maud Poulain is an author and editor of children’s books. She lives and works in Paris, France. I’m sharing two books recently published under Twirl Books/Chronicle Kids that would be perfect for preschoolers.
MAGNETOLOGY: ANIMALS
By: Maud Poulain
Illustrated by: Camille Tisserand
Published: September 7, 2021
Publisher: Twirl/Chronicle Kids
Non-Fiction
With 45 magnets included, kids can place the various animals in their proper habitats, not even realizing they are learning along with playing. The various habitats include the Ice Sheet, Forest, Savanna, Rain Forest, and Coral Reef. The pages are thick paper with magnets embedded which makes the pages heavier. It’s an oversized book perfect for floor play. There is a pocket in the front of the book for all the magnets to be kept safe.
Each habitat page spread explains the location, the temperature, or other special features about that location. Then throughout the page, various facts are featured such as why baby deer have spots, or who the largest land animal is, or which bird can fly backward. The end of the book places pictures of the animals into categories of mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish.
The magnets are easy to move around and place on the pages. Obviously, kids can place the magnets on any page, but as they play around with the magnets, I think they will realize the proper spot for animals. For example, I would bet they would notice a tiger doesn’t belong in a coral reef or a seahorse doesn’t belong in the forest.
This book offers great learning opportunities for kids that are not quite reading as well as those who are ready for the next step in reading short fact sentences. If you are looking for a new addition to your quiet time activity options, this book would be a great idea. Just know that the book is bigger/heavier than normal so may not be the best for traveling with.
THE POP-UP GUIDE: VEHICLES
By: Maud Poulain
Illustrated by: Charline Picard
Published: September 7, 2021
Publisher: Twirl/Chronicle Kids
Non-Fiction
Kids will enjoy seeing the vehicles come to life on the pages as each page is opened. The thicker pages will hopefully withstand toddlers, but I think the book is targeted mostly toward preschool-aged readers.
Each page spread is divided into various categories of vehicles including city, construction, emergency, road/rail travel, fields, transporting goods, sea, racing, sky, and Outerspace. The pop-ups show size comparison so kids can see busses are much larger than motorcycles, for example. Each photo is labeled including a bale on hay or forklift on the field page to a jet ski and a kayak on the sea page. Then a brief paragraph shares about the types of vehicles that move and operate in that category.
Interactive books make reading more fun. Even though this isn’t a book that specifically “does” anything, as the child flips the page, there is a “wow” moment when the vehicles pop up to life. The colors are vivid and fit the category of the page. Learning can happen when kids don’t even realize it while reading books that offer a new way to read and learn.
To purchase a copy of Maud Poulain’s books , click the photos below:
