Black & White

by Tana Hoban

It's never too early to look and talk together!

Perfect for babies from birth to age two!

This accordion style foldout book is sturdy enough to stand by itself, and it is just the right size for little hands.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, Juvenile, Nonfiction

16 pages, Board Book

First published May 27, 1993

Reviews

[Aneesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby likes this book. Either that or she can't turn her head.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I first "read" this wordless book of silhouettes to my daughter when she was two months old. I read it over and over again, because no matter how dull I found it, it kept her attention. Even when she was a toddler and reading words, we would return to this more than I would have expected.

[Emma Refvem · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tummy time fav in this house!

[Mira Prater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo loved looking at the keys and the leaf photos!

[Josiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Board books aren't commonly thought of for their artistic subtlety. When the target audience is kids who may still be several years away from learning to read, flashy color choices and zany images tend to be the style of choice, and those who do it best are much in demand by publishers of board books. Author/illustrator Tana Hoban, however, has chosen to go another route in Black on White. Evoking the subtlety of classic Japanese artistic imagery, Ms. Hoban has filled this book with pictures that are no more than darkened profiles of the objects they represent, whether a butterfly, a batch of cookies, a pair of eyeglasses or any of a dozen other objects both common and somewhat less so. The effect is bare and unsensational, but that is the point, and I believe Tana Hoban has done good for the world of infant literature by creating this intriguing book. Black on White may not catch the eye of the average infant or toddler used to gorging on intense color palettes in all the books he or she reads, but its primary intent is to teach the youngest children recognition of the objects seen with nothing more to go on than a simple silhouette, and Black on White is sure to accomplish that objective at least as well as its more flamboyant counterparts.

Tana Hoban is a good artist with an impressive creative mind, and her work in Black on White shows her willingness not only to operate outside the box of conventional thought in writing and illustrating for pre-readers, but to take risks in a profession that doesn't always reward such boldness with tangible success. Black on White is an unadorned ship set adrift in the vast sea of board books, yet I'm sure I won't forget it. I would at least consider giving it one and a half stars, which in my judgement is a respectable rating, especially for a book that has no plot to buoy the images it presents. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Black on White to the right sort of pre-reader.

[Lara Ivey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using black images on white background, Tana Hoban creates a simple book of objects known to little ones.

•Help your child hold the book the correct way. Once you have modeled it, put your hands over their hands and assist them in carefully turning the pages. Show them the front of the book. Point to the pictures and name them. Be sure to use an excited voice.
•Using an old magazine with vivid pictures, point to everyday items and let your child help you find them.
•Take pictures of family members and objects that your child loves. Put them into a book. “Read” it together.

[Katherine Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has no words, just black shapes on a white background. Yet it is perfect for a 0-4 month old. As baby's eyes begin to develop they really like contrast and bold colors, or black and white. This is one of the only books where my baby will actually let her eyes focus on the images; it's also fun to talk about the pictures with her.

[Calvin]

Loved it! Couldn't put it down!

[Melissa Swistek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this would make an excellent tummy time read but was also fun for my 13 month old toddler too! The book unfolds into a double-sided wall of black and white high-contrast images. Great for visual/brain development.

[Justin Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't think of a better book for newborns who love to look at the highest contrast pictures and keeps them occupied.

[Erin Reilly-Sanders · Rating 1 out of 5]

While this is useful for propping up and letting my daughter stare at during floor time, I haven't found too much enjoyment in the reading it. Since it's wordless, the adult is responsible for providing their own text. While this can be quite interesting, it's a bit difficult to come up with things to say about objects presented in such basic silhouette art. The options are limitless, but we still find that when we get to two pinwheel-esque circles with dots that we're stuck with saying something like "Well, that might be crackers, or something?" I also found that the pages were a bit inconsistent- I love the page with a butterfly opposite from a maple leaf- the resonance between the images is gorgeous. On the other hand, the first page of a bib and knife/fork set seems cartoony and dull in contrast.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Black on White might be too young for my 8-month-old baby. The bold black-and-white images probably would have been more engaging to him several months ago but I think the brilliant thing about this title is the velcro tab closure and accordion-style format which make it easy for a baby to open up. He spent more time opening it and banging it on the floor than looking at the images but that seems like a good way to use a book at this age. I agree with a previous reviewer who recommended the Wee Art Gallery cards. Those images have more complex patterns which continue to engage him and the thick card format are easy for him to carry around and flip through.

[Hayley Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first black and white book that we bought for Leo as it had great reviews on Amazon. I must admit that I was probably a little bit delusional about the impact it would have on a brand new baby when I packed it in my hospital bag but Leo did seem to casually gaze at the bold contrasting images even at such a young age.

A few weeks later, he would happily stare at the images and really focus on them (his favourite was the flower) however the appeal seems to have been lost as the months got away from us and his attention has gone elsewhere.

Still a brilliant first book for a baby with huge developmental benefits which makes it a lovely baby shower gift.

[Kate Ditzler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe I should make my baby a goodreads account, but for now I'll at least put them on mine, since I'm reading them too.

Black on White is a high contrast board book. My one-month-old preemie loves to lay on her blanket on the floor and look at the book. Sometimes, if she's too cranky to lay by herself, I hold her and talk to her about the pictures. We discovered how much she likes looking at high contrast from a book called "Look! Look!" and so I checked this book out of the library for her to stare at too.

[Bethany Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This accordion fold board book combines Hoban's Black on White and White on Black and provides stimulating images for Ellis to look at during mat and tummy time. Oddly, Ellis's favorite images to look at are the buttons and the flower. This book doesn't exactly teach pre-literacy skills, and often there are enough interesting things for my baby to stare at (ceiling fan, window, picture frames) that she doesn't really need this, but it's fun to pull out every once in a while and point out the different objects to her.

[Roberta Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Developmental appropriate book for babies and toddlers. This book is wonderful for building language skills with babies and toddlers. I like this book because young children enjoy looking at the pictures . This a great book to begin to engage young children in beginning language skills.
Provides wonderful oppurtunities for growth on oral language development.

[Libby]

As a high contrast, wordless book, Black on White, with its use of black image on white background, is appropriate for children between the ages of 0-12 months. This book effectively relies on the practice of talking to promote vocabulary development and narrative skills. In addition to supporting literacy development, its high contrast images advance a child’s visual development.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this 5 stars for keeping my newborn busy for 25 whole minutes just with the first two pages. I like that it folds out accordion style so it can stand up on its own. Not sure how long lasting this book is after Robin grows out of the "I'm entertained by black and white pictures" phase, but so far it's a keeper.

[Brandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wordless boardbook presents common images in contrasting colors to babies and toddlers familiarize the children with the shapes. I would suggest an adult "read" this book and its counterpart, White on Black, with the child several times to identify the images.

[Kristin Millward-Anastas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezran reads this book, along with White on Black everyday. I am amazed that the book holds his attention and he can focus on the pictures as we "read" through this book. I highly recommend it for all the over 30 day old babies out there.

[Jeniann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book for babies. This was one of the first books that both of my kids noticed and enjoyed looking at a young age because of the stark black and white pictures that they can focus on easily. "White on Black" by the same author is also good.

[Stephanie]

This is the first book I read to my daughter Elliott Rose. The wonderful event occurred earlier this morning. She seemed to dig it, and I loved watching her big blue-gray eyes take in every picture. I hope she loves books as much as her mommy does!

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

There isn't much to read in this book. Instead, it is black shapes on white. It is a perfect book for newborns who love high contrast. I wish I had this when Natalie was first born instead of making my own patterns with a Sharpie. Some toddlers might also like identifying the shapes.

[Tdavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for babies! High contrast books are great for developing eyes. This wordless book encourages caregivers to expand upon the image and engage the child.

Early Literacy Skills:

Letter Knowledge
Print Motivation

[Ubalstecha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book with random objects in black on white pages. My copy had a butterfly on page three contemplating eating a leaf on page four. Ms. Hoban must have changed later editions to play to market pressures.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all things Tana Hoban! Very young children can't get enough of these books! The simplicity of the images draw children in and let the minds of the little one's focus and explore. A must have for infants and toddlers.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for newborns. I like Wee Gallery art cards (same idea of presenting high-contrast images) better, though, because the images are more interesting and are easier to place where baby can see them.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ages birth-2. Nice board book that features black and white high contrast pictures that caregivers can use to introduce babies to books and begin talking about books together. Can help build a child's vocabulary. Great way to help children learn how to hold a book and turn the pages.

[Leani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleased with the clarity of these 10 outlines of shapes (12 if you count those on the front and back covers), as well as the variety of objects. My toddler enjoys telling her baby sister about the shapes, and she returns the compliment by staring at them in fascination.

[Cecilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Génial pour les très jeunes bébés (vers 6 semaines jusqu'à quelques mois) pour les contrastes. Ensuite, pour les premiers mots en tant qu'imagier. Enfin, toujours utile vers 2 ans pour parfaire la reconnaissance des silhouettes et la prononciation.