Wiggles

by Claire Zucchelli-Romer

Little fingers twist and turn, zig and zag, moving on, over, and through pages filled with fluorescent die-cut dots and playful, grooved paths. This brilliant application of the groundbreaking TouchThinkLearn format compels the youngest learners to explore and engage with their world in a hands-on, multisensory way. The premise is simple: Hear an instruction, repeat its words, and playfully trace out its action. Multiple modes of perception combine to inspire and instill a deeper understanding of essential concepts and language. TouchThinkLearn: Wiggles offers a priceless way to play, read—and have fun—together!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

26 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Alex Baugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this interactive book, young readers will explore and learn all about different tactile experiences. The book invites kids to let their fingers explore a variety of shapes and designs by tracing them, or they can count and play with dots, zigzags, and twirls. Kids are told what to do on each page, and there is a lot of repetition and use of onomatopeia throughout. The pages are a pastel blue with text in a white font (which I found too light), and the shapes are done in brightly fluorescent colored cutouts. These cutouts are an opportunity to develop fine motor skills and explore different perceptions, but when asked to use left and right hand simultaneously, it might be a challenge for younger kids. I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about parts of this book, though I think it is a fun way to learn.

[Jvermeersch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eentje die ik aanraad aan alle ouders met baby's, peuters, en zelfs nog kleuters! Stevig kartonboek met relief op elke pagina's om te volgen met je vingers - stipjes, zigzag, strakke hoeken of net kronkels, ... Uitdagend voor kleintjes om zelf te proberen, plezant om samen met hen te doen (ongeacht of je zelf verkeert in zombiestaat of fris wakker bent, dit kun je ook op automatische piloot met een half oog), en goed voor ieders fijne motoriek of gewoon om elkaar te doen lachen.

[Cindy Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Your little fingers wriggle, your little fingers wiggle.” The opening line to TouchThinkLearn: Wiggles by Claire Zucchelli-Romer sets the tone for what’s to come in this interactive board book. Wiggles teaches toddlers concepts like left and right and up and down, and fast and faster as they poke, and tap and swirl their fingers along colored, grooved shapes.

The fun starts with a grooved rectangle bordering the first pages. Parents can guide little fingers as the words instruct: “So take one finger from your left hand, and take one finger from your right hand. They’re going to take a spin all around the track.”

The pages and grooves are sturdy and colorful, encouraging movement to enhance multilevel learning. Fingers tap, hop, slide, go slow and fast, ride waves, dance, swirl, and zigzag. Children learn coordination along with colors and shapes.

Wiggles is fun for parents to read too, with words that create sounds and have a rhythm when spoken aloud. They may even find themselves drawn to the irresistible grooves with their own fingers.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally issued in French (c2016), this board book is an excellent example of an activity book that generates the same kind of joy found when sharing Herve Tullet's "Press Here" (Chronicle, c2011).

The first page sets up the book: use your little wiggly fingers to dance on each page. Children can trace shapes, tap and hop on spots, learn concepts like up and down, count dots, trace circles, lines, spirals and squiggles (all illustrated using neon yellow, pink and green in a cutout layer) as the text is read to them. Several tasks involve crossing the mid-line of the book -- which is an important task to do for pre-readers and helps promote pre-reading skills.

My only quibble is the use of white font printed on a pastel blue background, as it can be difficult for people with visual impairments to read. Regardless, this is one fun, terrific experience!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Youngsters will have a blast as they interact with this sturdy board book, originally published in France. They'll use their fingers to trace lines, move from dot to dot, zigzag, swirl, and dance across the pages. The florescent shapes are set against a soft blue background which allows them to stand out. As other reviewers have noted, this book brings to mind similar books by Herve Tullet, which means that exploring this one with your youngster will be just as entertaining for an adult as it is for a child. Before long, the little one will want to move through the book on his/her own. Not only does the book offer opportunities for play, but it also develops fine motor skills. Plus, it's an amusing way to spend time together.

[Erik This Kid Reviews Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the spirit of Herve Tullet’s Press Here, this interactive book is a sensory sensation! I love the textures kids can experience while interacting with the book. The text of the book encourages children to touch, press, and run their fingers over shapes and grooves in the book. It teaches right and left as there is independent direction for the hands depending on which side of the spread the illustration is on. The text is simple, fun, and encourages interaction. The board book format makes it perfectly suited for toddlers and children of differing abilities. The bright colors are an additional plus for this book. *Please note I received a free review copy of this book.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers places for little fingers to explore. It starts with a race track that scoops both pages and then becomes more and more complicated. Fingers dance and tap as the concepts of right and left are taught in a fun way. Fingers spin around spirals, they zigzag and hop, until finally all that is left to do is dance. Great fun to play with, the book teaches colors and even the littlest ones will love reading this with their adult.

[Nickel Pickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I don't quite have the coordination to do things with both hands at once, but Mommy helped me. Once I got the idea, I thought it was awesome and made her go through it three times! The first time she read it, but the other times I just traced the lines and tapped the dots. I like the pitter patter ones the best!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great board book that features simple high contrast tactile images that very young kids can engage with to promote both their early literacy and dexterity. Adults will enjoy it too. Reminded me a lot of Press Here by Hervé Tullet but it's actually a better tactile experience. Would make an excellent baby shower gift!

[Great Books]

Fingers get ready to dance! This interactive board book will have you tapping, wiggling, hopping, strolling and sliding while learning coordination, listening and directions. Young ones can do this with an adult while older children can follow direction, but everyone will love engaging and fingerdancing together.
#26

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful board book in bright colours.
The pages are set up with instructions easy to follow - such as "Left finger tap, tap, tap in place" - and the child gets to learn to listen and do what it says, learn colours, have fun with doing finger play.
Great idea.

[Alp Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the colours. Love the shapes. Finally getting to grips with using my pointy finger to follow them. Great one to do with someone else. Always surprises and delights me no matter how many times we go through it.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interactive, Well executed.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A toddler version of Press Here. Very fun and age appropriate.

[Maxwell Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun interactive book!

[Brindi Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

great interactive book for helping little ones with their fine motor skills

[talia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so easy to see the appeal of these chunky, textured, hands-on board books. Lots of fun, even for a grown adult.

[Mr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Read again when older

[Kris Dersch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lame imitation of better things.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a really fun book to read with a child in your lap. Lots of things to talk about here: colors, left and right, following directions, shapes. Pretty neat.

[Rosalind Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was absolutely hilarious. I loved having my fingers dance and trace over the different lines and shapes.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandson loved this!

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a creative idea! Dots and tracks on each page for motor skills as well as practicing rhythm. It would make a great “busy book” for traveling!

* library book. Age read: 20mo.

[Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the tactile quality and the whimsy. I think this will be a great one to revisit at 3 or 4 years of age, for learning right from left.

[Lillian Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my new favorite interactive series for toddlers!

[Beau Manglass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great calm down/self regulation option

[Ms. Madalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way too many words and too interactive for storytime (children are instructed to touch and trace the images on the page).

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The baby likes it but isn’t very good at it yet. He likes dots. He watches us use it. He tries to follow. May need to check it out again later.

—
Checked it out again. This time I noticed the recommended age is 2-4. He’s still a little young, only 14 months. But he is definitely interested and tries to follow.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interactive board book that teaches right and left and a host of other vocabulary words fir the very young.