First Words: Early Learning at the Museum

Early Learning at the Museum

by The Trustees of the British Museum (Illustrator)

Stunning photographic board books featuring masterpieces from the British Museum

Using amazing objects from the British Museum, this series of captivating board books encourages children to engage with early learning concepts. Inquisitive toddlers will enjoy learning first words and animals with gorgeous photographic images on every page. As beautiful as the objects inside them, these board books make wonderful gifts.

22 pages, Board Book

Published May 7, 2019

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Premise/plot: This board book is a first words book--a concept book for very young children. What makes this one unique are the illustrations. The illustrations are PHOTOGRAPHS of objects/works in the British Museum. The index at the back of the book offers more information for parents. For example, the apple--the first word in the book--is a photograph of a watercolor drawing of apples and grapes by Frederick Thomas Baynes (1844-1874).

My thoughts: I love the idea of this one! It is an interesting book. I love the diversity of the objects--the collection is global in scope. The objects also span the centuries--some are very old, others are contemporary. One of the older objects represented is a linen ball from Egypt circa 30 BCE to 641 CE. One of the newer objects represented is a ceramic cat from Japan circa 2000.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this unique portrayal of basic words for babies - photos from the British Museum. This book is written for 0-3 year olds. I first took my daughter to an art museum - just the two of us, when she was 2. She has had a life long love of art and of creating art (aside from her regular job). I think, with this book, one could have a dialogue with a child about the photos. For example, talking to the child about different types of shoes for example - where they come from and who would be wearing them. The shoes on the cover of the book are from China and could be compared to the ones from the Netherlands from an earlier time period (shown later in the book) and then compared them to the ones worn in the US or other locations. I actually had a pair of shoes from China, not tennis shoes, but were royal blue, woven cloth with very beautiful flowers embroidered on them. This book with its multicultural items, used over a variety of time periods could help create a sense of wonder, understanding and sensitivity towards the reader, listener, and others, as well as, a love of art. I'm all for it.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A baby and up book with objects from the British Museum's collection and the word. Simple and easy to follow with an afterward about the orgin of the objects.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and can name most of the objects in the photos.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I thought this was a fun idea, but the babies weren’t really into it.