We love books and reading to our kids and often emphasized how important this is as parents of young kids ourselves. As bloggers and social media influencers, we want to encourage our followers to get their kids reading from a young age. Parents could head to the library or join various toddler groups to help their kids get into the habit of reading. Our house is filled with lots of reading materials from magazines, flash cards, toddler books, fiction, non-fiction and recipe books. In this post, we are going to share with you a lovely project by Ruth Bradford called the Black and White Book Project. She sent us a set of 3 books and a box of flashcards for us to review. Each book shares 12 iconic animals from each region; Amazing Animals of Southeast Asia, Extraordinary Animals from the Land of Oz and Spectacular Animals of Africa. These books and flashcards are great for young toddlers up to the age of 5 years of age. Do read on to learn more about it.
Amazing Animals of Southeast Asia – In this book, you will find 12 animals who live across the region of Southeast Asia. From the Asian elephant to the hornbill, to orang-utans and geckos
Extraordinary Animals from the Land of Oz – In this book, find 12 animals who live in Australia. From the kangaroo, to the koala, to snakes and cockatoos, enjoy sharing these picture books with babies and toddlers to help stimulate their development and inspire an early love of wildlife.
Spectacular Animals of Africa – In this book, find 12 animals who live in Africa. From the majestic lion to the warthog, to meerkats and hippos, enjoy sharing these picture books with babies and toddlers to help stimulate their development and inspire an early love of wildlife.
Interactive Flash Card Set – Each of the flashcards comes with an illustration of an animal, a fact to read aloud plus an activity for toddlers to interact with. 12 cards that can be used from birth to entertain and stimulate babies development, right up to toddlers and pre-schoolers learning all about animals. On the front of each card is an illustration of an animal and on the back, there is a fact to read aloud plus an activity for older children to interact with. Useful, fun and engaging these are a great addition to any parenting tool
About the Books and Flashcards
The books and flashcards are made with 100% FSC Certified paper printed with soy ink. The book measures 150mm x 150mm x 18mm and has an approx weight of 285g with 12 internal pages and a map on the inside cover to illustrate where the animals are from. The flashcards, on the other hand, is 165mm x 120mm x 25mm with each card measuring 155mm x 110mm with an approx total weight of 224g. The picture books are great for babies and toddlers to help stimulate their development and inspire an early love of wildlife.
What did we think about it?
These animal picture books are quite extraordinary. Their eye-catching pictures and unusual animals make them a big hit with toddlers. My 18-month-old son and I had lots of fun learning the names of each of the animals. It’s been great to add to his vocabulary and to be honest add to my knowledge of animals from other parts of the world. What makes these animal picture books different to others is the range of animals and simplicity, yet beauty of the pictures. Our family loves books and we have many animal books but these seem unique because the animals are not just your usual British farm or even safari animals, with animals like Cassowary, Platypus and Thorny Devil Lizard. Can you guess which country these animals are all from? The books are all themed around areas of the world, the titles of the books are Spectacular Animals of Africa, Extraordinary Animals from the Land of Oz and Amazing animals of Southeast Asia. I particularly like how the books and flash cards are black and white. It makes them very striking and artistic but also stimulating for little ones. The front of the flash card has a picture of an animal while the back has some facts and questions to make it interactive. Research has shown that Black and white registers strongest on a baby’s retina, so stimulating the child’s brain. I think these books are wonderful and would like more in the range. How about astonishing animals of the artic?
How much are these books and flashcards
We were sent the set of 3 books plus flashcards for the review and this costs £30. The books and flash cards can also be purchased individually or as a set.
About the Little Black and White Book Project
The company has been set up by Ruth Bradford who is a graphic designer, it was in her nature to create bespoke items for friends, family. So when she found out she was pregnant with her first child she was of course going to want to put her skills to use and dream up something special for him. She has a huge appreciation for conservation and the protection of wildlife and often talk about projects through which she could help raise awareness and funds. She has combined her love for animals with her new passion as a parent and to share her illustrations with Mums, Dads and little people all around the world.
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* We were sent the book set and flashcards in return for a review. All opinions are our own.
46 comments
I can’t get over how cute these photos are 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing. It looks like you both enjoyed the cards a lot!
Yes we did Alexandra, it was fun reviewing these books and cards
These look like such a great resource for kids. Playful and educational. Also your kid is super cute!!!
Thank you Tanvi, totally appreciate your comments and yes its really educational too x
These look great, I found flash cards great fun for my Daughter when she was little, will have a look at getting some for my granddaughter x
Glad to hear that Samantha, these cards are great for little ones to learn about animals x
These cards look great! A perfect way to interact and learn all at the same time x
Yes absolutely Michelle, can’t agree enough
These are a great idea for little ones. I wish they had them around when my son was younger or at least I’d found out about them then. I do love educational tools that are fun!
Yes us too Melanie, we love anything that helps little one explore, learn and grow x
I love the idea of these books especially since they take into consideration the physical development of newborns.
Yes they do, so they are perfect for little ones right up to 5 years of age
I like these! Looks like a really good flash card set. I need some for my son
Hope you get these Jasmine for your kids
The flashcards look very good. This is just the sort of thing I would have had when i was a kid
Exactly, these are fabulous ways in which kids can easily learn about animals
These books and photo cards are so cute and I can see how this would be so good for brain and eye development too! Thank you so much for sharing.
Your welcome, glad you benefitted from the blog post and sharing
The book sure looks absolutely lovely! Great black and white idea!
Yes and so attractive for little ones too
This is such a cool little book! The pictures are so clear and the book looks high quality!
The book is of high quality Sara and easy for little hands to hold
I wish I had a younger child to use these with. The pictures and photos make me want to teach again.
The books are so inspiring Daphne, we totally think so too
These are great and the pictures are super cute. I miss having a toddler. Well, sometimes lol. Thanks for sharing!
Your welcome Clint, there are fab as gifts for family of friends as well.
Flash cards are so useful. My son learned how to read with the help of flash cards.
Ours as well Evelyn, its much easier with flashcards as its easier to hold, look and ask questions
My little guy has one black and white book and it’s his absolute favorite! These looks great and I know he would love them too!
Glad to hear that Jenn, happy to share great finds on the blog
TY for this wonderful idea! As the new mother of an eight month old, I am always looking for things to help her along her developmental journey.
How wonderful to hear that Christina, we are sure this book would benefit your little one for sure x
Love the black and white flash cards, what a great way to help children read, such a brilliant idea
It definitely is Anosa, who would have thought!
This looks like such a great way to help children learn. I am always looking for stuff like this for Olivia so will definitely be checking them out.
Glad to hear that Rebecca, hope you get Olivia some
Flash cards can be such a great learning resource – these look great!
Yes they do don’t they Mellissa, great tool for learning x
These are so cute. I really need to order these for my youngest.
Hope you do Carmen x
What a unique product! So much educational value and it seems easier to focus on because it is black and white without the distraction of looking at colors.
Especially for a little one when so many things can be distracting, black and white seems to stand out for them
Flashcards sound like a great idea for a young child’s learning. I will have to try this when I have kids!
Its great to find out about things in advance Ashleigh
My toddler loves books and this one looks super cute and perfect for little ones to flip and read and get to grips with – also the flash cards are ace
Laura x
Absolutely Laura, that’s exactly what we think as well!