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Play Outside with Me
Take part in an outdoor playdate-in-a-book, with small learnings and tender moments.This board book series invites young readers to take part in a playdate activity of their choice, thereby empowering them with autonomy and validation. In this second book, the outdoor playdate models balanced and shared play, creating a positive reference for what caring and considered friendship looks like. Many toddlers and preschoolers consistently ask for someone to play with them, and this book provides just that for the quieter moments of the day. Simple language and gentle questions will help children develop their social skills by practicing conversations, all while engaging them in fun and familiar topics.
- GenresPicture Books
26 pages, Board Book
Published June 11, 2024
100 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 10, 2024
Kat Chen and Lorraine Nam have created another engaging and interactive board book for very young readers. Play Outside with Me features Sam and Sam’s friend Squirrel. Sam speaks directly to readers and invites them to join in the play. Everyday games such as blowing bubbles, tag, and playing on the swing set are shown in bright colors. Sam likes to draw with sidewalk chalk; Squirrel likes it best when Sam draws ladybugs. Later, Sam sees a real ladybug and Squirrel (who is a stuffie) spots a real squirrel in a tree.
Besides the images and text to help promote a conversation with young children, this book also offers a model of how to make a new friend. Sam performs introductions, “Hi, my name is Sam! This is my friend, Squirrel. What’s your name?” Then Sam asks the reader how they like to play each game - popping bubbles, drawing with chalk, etc. Sam always gives compliments - “That’s a great name!” or “Wow! That sounds nice.” when the reader tells what they like to draw. Sam shares the bubbles and takes turns in the tag game. And at the end of the visit, Sam thanks the reader for playing and asks if they can play again soon.
For young readers just learning to play with others this book offers great examples of how to play nicely. And for those who enjoy reading books together with an adult or older child, there are plenty of opportunities to interact with the story - answering Sam’s questions, pointing out details that they notice, and laughing at Squirrel as the bubbles pop on his nose. A fun experience for kiddos and caregivers.
Besides the images and text to help promote a conversation with young children, this book also offers a model of how to make a new friend. Sam performs introductions, “Hi, my name is Sam! This is my friend, Squirrel. What’s your name?” Then Sam asks the reader how they like to play each game - popping bubbles, drawing with chalk, etc. Sam always gives compliments - “That’s a great name!” or “Wow! That sounds nice.” when the reader tells what they like to draw. Sam shares the bubbles and takes turns in the tag game. And at the end of the visit, Sam thanks the reader for playing and asks if they can play again soon.
For young readers just learning to play with others this book offers great examples of how to play nicely. And for those who enjoy reading books together with an adult or older child, there are plenty of opportunities to interact with the story - answering Sam’s questions, pointing out details that they notice, and laughing at Squirrel as the bubbles pop on his nose. A fun experience for kiddos and caregivers.
June 24, 2024
I love the illustrations in this book. The cover is appealing to younger kids as there are a lot of colors that are bright and cheerful. There is a girl and a playground with a girl and my kids love playgrounds, so this was a must read!
The story is simple to understand for younger reads and is about Sam, our MC who likes to do many things like play with the swings or take a slide down the slides. My own kids when they were younger love the slides, even my 9 year old loves the slides still even to this day! And this story resonates with all kids who like my own, went down the slides the wrong way, just like Sam!
This book is well written for kids and you can tell the author did her research with children of this age range. The book invites you, as the parent or caregiver, to interact with your own child and the book at the same time. I love that interactiveness! You can play with and interact with your child, or whoever you are reading to as you are reading through the book!
The story is simple to understand for younger reads and is about Sam, our MC who likes to do many things like play with the swings or take a slide down the slides. My own kids when they were younger love the slides, even my 9 year old loves the slides still even to this day! And this story resonates with all kids who like my own, went down the slides the wrong way, just like Sam!
This book is well written for kids and you can tell the author did her research with children of this age range. The book invites you, as the parent or caregiver, to interact with your own child and the book at the same time. I love that interactiveness! You can play with and interact with your child, or whoever you are reading to as you are reading through the book!
May 29, 2024
Play Outside With Me is a fun, entertaining, exciting, unique, and engaging story! This board book is simple yet draws the reader in. With its unique structure and interactive elements this book gives the reader the feeling of personalization. Children will feel like Sam and her friend Squirrel are speaking directly to them. Play Outside With Me is a story and genuine invitation to play all in one!
I adore the bright colors in this book! They are eye-catching and make every illustrated detail pop (hint: nearly every detail reappears as a new activity! This could be made into a fun guessing game). I also love that the story can be read in multiple ways depending on how the child answers the question.
I adore the bright colors in this book! They are eye-catching and make every illustrated detail pop (hint: nearly every detail reappears as a new activity! This could be made into a fun guessing game). I also love that the story can be read in multiple ways depending on how the child answers the question.
July 10, 2024
What an absolutely lovely book for children that teaches them about play dates!
What really struck me with this book was that it was fun and also educational, with bright and eye-catching illustrations to appeal to all ages.
The physical book comes in the form of Board Book which is just perfect for little hands to help turn pages.
The language is very simple and easy to understand, and as an adult to read to a child or for a young child to even begin their reading journey.
It's a book that can be used by a wide age range, which I love as it means it's multifunctional!
I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it!
What really struck me with this book was that it was fun and also educational, with bright and eye-catching illustrations to appeal to all ages.
The physical book comes in the form of Board Book which is just perfect for little hands to help turn pages.
The language is very simple and easy to understand, and as an adult to read to a child or for a young child to even begin their reading journey.
It's a book that can be used by a wide age range, which I love as it means it's multifunctional!
I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it!
June 12, 2024
Play Outside with Me what a great book and simple concept for kids to understand. I work with children under 3 years old and this book will definitely make its way into my work bag. The story prompts language and play skill which so many kids now need help with. The main character is asking children simple questions and prompts back and forth language and social cues. The illustration and images are all bright and beautiful. This books was fun and I can see small children becoming engage in reading it. Sam and Squirrel 🐿️ will be a great addition to any children book shelves.
June 13, 2024
I still remember loving PLAY WITH ME by Kat Chen and I am so happy to tell you she has released another beautiful board book that encourages play, is interactive, and is perfect to take outside!
We love the illustrations AND we love the way the story asks questions of the reader and invites us to choose a play date activity, a snack, and connects so well with its predecessor. It also has indicental diversity and overall is a super win for us, #FroggyApproved and we can’t get enough. Can there be more, please?
We love the illustrations AND we love the way the story asks questions of the reader and invites us to choose a play date activity, a snack, and connects so well with its predecessor. It also has indicental diversity and overall is a super win for us, #FroggyApproved and we can’t get enough. Can there be more, please?
June 26, 2024
We love board books. With vivid color, the illustrations pop off the page. Interactive questions encourage the little to answer and allows them to be a part of the story. What do you like to do outside? This book provides all kinds of activities. We love to draw with chalk, and the grandkids like me to make a zoo. I can see the little dragging me outside to play after reading this book. Such fun! The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.
June 22, 2024
This is the cutest children's book featuring a little girl and her stuffed squirrel. They have a bunch of adventures together while they play outside. I loved the sidewalk chalk, playground slides, etc. The book also includes snack time, which features healthy snacks (an awesome bonus!).
Thank you to the publisher for the compimentary copy of this book. A positive review was not required.
Thank you to the publisher for the compimentary copy of this book. A positive review was not required.
April 10, 2025
Jack borrowed this book from the Oxford Public Library. I picked it because he loves playing outside.
The book is kind of weird, as the main character is speaking to the reader. Jack is a bit young to “get it” and answer the questions, but when I prodded, he started to answer me. But not the character. At any rate, it shows lots of fun outdoor activities, and Jack enjoyed that.
The book is kind of weird, as the main character is speaking to the reader. Jack is a bit young to “get it” and answer the questions, but when I prodded, he started to answer me. But not the character. At any rate, it shows lots of fun outdoor activities, and Jack enjoyed that.
January 31, 2025
This is a colon response picture book. I’m reading it in Board book version, and I do not think it works very well. The colon response nature for kids who can’t necessarily answer doesn’t work for me. The story is typical and so are the illustrations. The story is nice, but it’s nothing special.
June 19, 2024
Such fun
It is such a fun book children would love it. Adults also. Just thought it a wonderful book and characters
It is such a fun book children would love it. Adults also. Just thought it a wonderful book and characters
August 4, 2024
Similar complimentary comments to the Play with Me book: excellent role-playing preparation for a real-life playdate that might happen. Loveable protagonist, plenty of outdoor activities included.
October 21, 2024
TALK, PLAY
October 5, 2025
encourages my 2.5 yr old to respond, i like that.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews