123 ZOOM
“I literally cannot imagine the process that goes into creating an
original board book. I suppose one of the first things you’d have to do would
be to determine a need. In the case of 123 Zoom, maybe that need would be
an understanding of not what a number is, but its tactile shape.
That done, you’d have to give the reader a reason to trace those numbers.
Say, because you’re following the flight or trajectory of different vehicles.
And then there’s the question of how to direct the youngest of readers.
Maybe little arrows that point out where you could begin.
Oh! And don’t forget to make it feel kind of cool.
Maybe the sides around the numbers could be raised a little bit.
And if you threw in a seek-and-find aspect as well (perhaps a tiny
package that’s being delivered?) that’s just the icing on the cake.
And voila! You have yourself an honest-to-goodness original board book
that’s a lot of fun for kids and adults alike. Whew!”
SLJ - Elizabeth Bird, June 2022
original board book. I suppose one of the first things you’d have to do would
be to determine a need. In the case of 123 Zoom, maybe that need would be
an understanding of not what a number is, but its tactile shape.
That done, you’d have to give the reader a reason to trace those numbers.
Say, because you’re following the flight or trajectory of different vehicles.
And then there’s the question of how to direct the youngest of readers.
Maybe little arrows that point out where you could begin.
Oh! And don’t forget to make it feel kind of cool.
Maybe the sides around the numbers could be raised a little bit.
And if you threw in a seek-and-find aspect as well (perhaps a tiny
package that’s being delivered?) that’s just the icing on the cake.
And voila! You have yourself an honest-to-goodness original board book
that’s a lot of fun for kids and adults alike. Whew!”
SLJ - Elizabeth Bird, June 2022
"Urban explores animal-related idioms through a fun guessing game
that pairs bouncy rhymes with close-ups of different faces.
A whiskered, sharp-faced creature describes itself as
A whiskered, sharp-faced creature describes itself as
"Quick and cheeky, smart and sneaky. I'm sly as a ..."
A page turn reveals the answer: a fox. Vibrant images fill each page,
accompanied by large text. Strategically placed die-cut holes and flashy,
fun details (a red bandana for the ox, a pair of sunglasses for the bat)
add to the charm." - Mahnaz, Dar, SLJ January 2018
add to the charm." - Mahnaz, Dar, SLJ January 2018
Quiet as a Mouse: And Other Animal Idiom
2018 Great Board Books and Pop Up Books
2018 Great Board Books and Pop Up Books
“Board books get bolder with every passing year.
If you were surprised to see a book on this list covering
homophones for toddlers, then get a load of these idioms.
It doesn't hurt matters in the least that the book is quite cute.
If you were surprised to see a book on this list covering
homophones for toddlers, then get a load of these idioms.
It doesn't hurt matters in the least that the book is quite cute.
Kids fill in the animals that are suggested by the idioms.”
SLJ - Elizabeth Bird, December 2018
Quiet as a Mouse: And Other Animal Idioms
“It's a visually dramatic and playful exploration of animals
and language - especially the final scene featuring
and language - especially the final scene featuring
a happy clam with mirrored sunglasses.”
Publishers Weekly, November 2017
Color Wonder Hooray for Spring!
“I've never seen the concept of mixing colors done as inventively
as you'll find here... A smart board book if ever I saw one.”
SLJ - Elizabeth Bird, July 2017
“Local author Chieu Anh Urban gives a big shoutout
to spring in this intriguingly designed board book...
Lots of fun for active little minds and fingers.”
Washington Parent, May 2017
Away We Go! A Shapes and Seek Book
“Urban demonstrates the remarkable versatility of shapes,
using them to create an array of vehicles... readers will finish this book
with a good sense of both shapes and methods of transportation.”
Publishers Weekly, May 2013
Publishers Weekly, May 2013
Away We Go! A Shapes and Seek Book
“The innovative die-cut images present shapes hidden inside brightly
illustrated planes, submarines and hot-air balloons.
Children will adore tracing and identifying the cutout shapes.
Author-illustrator Urban's background as a graphic illustrator is put to
excellent use in this boldy crafted and illustrated book.”
Children will adore tracing and identifying the cutout shapes.
Author-illustrator Urban's background as a graphic illustrator is put to
excellent use in this boldy crafted and illustrated book.”
Literary Kids Book Review, April 2013
Away We Go! A Shapes and Seek Book
“This shape-and-seek book is full of colorful modes of transportation.
Geometric shapes come together to become full-on vehicles,
and die-cuts allow children to identify shapes on every page.
Perfect for the youngest New York readers as they learn to identify the
different types of vehicles they see on the city streets.”
and die-cuts allow children to identify shapes on every page.
Perfect for the youngest New York readers as they learn to identify the
different types of vehicles they see on the city streets.”
New York Family Magazine, July 2013
Away We Go! A Shapes and Seek Book
“...Away We Go! is an entertaining game in learning shapes.
Invitingly packaged in vivid hues, Urban makes early reading a full
adventure... Oh, so very clever indeed!”
adventure... Oh, so very clever indeed!”
Smithsonian Book Dragon, July 2013
“This colorful travel companion will delight your tot whether you're
journeying this summer by train, plane or automobile.”
Washington Parent, August 2013
Away We Go! A Shapes and Seek Book
“Shapes galore adorn this fun learning book that prompts
readers to find specific shapes... this colorful book is packed
with fun and learning.”
with fun and learning.”
The Day Connecticut, July 2013
Away We Go! A Shapes and Seek Book
“Shaped die-cut holes adorn a wide range of vehicles...
these colorful and shapely vehicles will appeal to the target audience.”
Kirkus Review, July 2013
Away We Go! A Shapes and Seek Book
“Learning the names of shapes can be a lot of fun,
especially if you make the process one big seek-and-find adventure.
In this book Chieu Anh Urban does just that.”
Through The Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews, July 2013
“..perfect for little minds to explore how we an find
shapes in everything we see.”
- Momstown Georgina
Momstown Newmarket-Aurora, Momstown Mississauga
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