Horns to Toes and in Between

by Sandra Boynton

Friendly monsters teach parts of the body and indulge in a silly dance in this Sandra Boynton board book classic.

A trio of monsters shake and shimmy whatever they’ve got in this rhyming tale about the different parts of the body. Boynton’s whimsical and hilarious take on another toddler-friendly concept is sure to be read again and again.

Yes, we’ve each got ten toes
and we’ve each got one nose…
And we’ve all got two eyes
that can open and close.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Humor, Storytime, Kids, Bodies

16 pages, Board Book

First published October 11, 1984

About the author

Sandra Keith Boynton is an American humorist, songwriter, director, music producer, children's author, and illustrator. Boynton has written and illustrated over eighty-five books for children and seven general audience books, as well as over four thousand greeting cards, and seven music albums. She has also designed calendars, wallpaper, bedding, stationery, paper goods, clothing, jewelry, and plush toys for various companies.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by Sandra Boynton.

[Scratch · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son engaged with this. Although, I was at a bit of a loss when I was pointing to corresponding body parts on him, and then I was confronted with horns and tails.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many Boynton books I love!

[Kary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think everyone loves Sandra Boynton! Good for baby/toddler storytime. Good for counting or body parts theme.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and interactive way to learn parts of the body and counting. My daughter and I had a lot of fun reading this together!

[Matt Salmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing this book, my 6 month old daughter looked at me and said “Wow. Boynton has done it again. Her mastery of the English language brings forth feelings of awe and delight within my very soul”, except it came out as “ba ba ba baaa pfffttttt”

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a favorite Boynton book for both boys since they were babies...of course the actions bring the book to life, and the tickling has us all laughing by the end!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one I haven't liked quite as much as other Sandra Boynton books. It doesn't seem to have the same rhythm as the others. When it ends I always feel like there's something more and the book somehow got cut off.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for learning the names of body parts.

[Therese Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceedingly cute body parts book! Sandra Boynton can be counted on to deliver on hilariously illustrated animals and bouncy rhymes to engage the wee readers/readees (reedees 😂 is probably not a word, but needs to be, if not.).

Cam enjoyed it twice in a sitting before sampling the tastiness of its board pages. Yum!

….

…..

[Trina]

We enjoy the rhymes and this does help teach my son body parts. But note that this book is not inclusive and uses language such as "we all have 2 arms... we all have 2 eyes that can see" and does not teach that bodies and abilities differ.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and joyful romp through monster anatomy which -- with the exception of horns and a tail -- lines up with pretty much with the parts of a human body.

[Sara C-S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the rhyming and the length! perfect for our little one!

[Ronan Crutchfield]

I liked learning about all the different body parts on the monsters!

[Dina McPhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read by Librarian Laura on the London Public Library's on-line "Books for Babies" program. I just love rhyming books.

[Kelly Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lacking

[Margot Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the opportunity to show off my impeccable knowledge of body parts. Except I don’t have horns and a tail like these guys, so that threw me off.

[Annie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful and thought provoking read. Thoroughly enjoyed. Would recommend.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's very short, only a few sentences per spread.

It's just not very *interesting* to me. Not as funny or catchy as most of her books.

But if you're trying to read to a baby or young toddler, you need all the short books you can get, and this one will fit the bill.

[Bree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Notes:
We've read every Boynton book there is, but this one never held interest like the others. Focuses on body parts.
I think the monsters are just too abstract for my more realistic kids to be drawn to.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 1-year old son approves.
His favorite parts are the tickly hands and the panting tongues.

[Kelly Wickham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this book ever since my kids were small. Sandra Boynton books are always winners in my book and I love how they flow and rhyme and have different themes and colorful pictures. This one is about 3 cute little monsters that are exploring the different parts of their bodies and kids love to follow along wiggling their noses and touching their toes's. Of course it all ends with a tickle fest which every kids who has read this book once, anxiously awaits as you end the book and reach out and tickle them. This book is very fun for the 1-4 year old crowd!

[Jade · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note: this is not my review but the review of my daughter who can't have her own goodreads but does love herself a book! Therefore I will be writing them for her. She is currently 6 months old.

Baby was not a fan of this book, or large fuzzy monsters in general. Will try again when she's older. Mom thought it was perfectly delightful.

[The Bearded Dad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a Boynton Boy. Love pretty much anything she writes. This specific book is one of my faves because as I read to my little ones about each of the different body parts I like to give their same body part a cute pinch. It helps them correlate what I'm reading about to their bodies. Plus a book that has lines about tickling and shimming are great for bedtime.

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack borrowed this book from the Ashland Public Library.

While the book is fun and quirky like many Sandra Boynton books, Jack wasn’t really into it. He prefers books that have actual photographs of kids when learning about body parts and other hyper realistic concepts. I also felt like the rhythm wasn’t quite as tight as her other books.

[Lil Old Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Sandra Boynton. Her stories are funny, the drawings are charming and adorable, and I always know when I pick up one of her books, both my daughter and I are going to enjoy it. This one has fun monsters singing and dancing (and teaching about body parts too)

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the monster belly buttons! ;) ^_^

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to go too wrong with Boynton, although Doggies was pretty terrible.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

would give 4.5 stars

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty typical Boynton. Fun art and characters with a great way to go over body parts.