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DON'T CUT MY HAIR

Sylvie Assathiany and Louise Pelletier. Illustrated by Phillipe Beha.
Toronto, ON: James Lorimer.
unpaged, board, $3.95.
ISBN 0-88862-771-8. Tot Books. CIP.


Subject Heading:
Haircutting-Juvenile literature.

I LOVE MY BABYSITTER

Sylvie Assathiany and Louise Pelletier. Illustrated by Phillipe Beha.
Toronto, ON: James Lorimer.
unpaged, board, $3.95.
ISBN 0-88862-768-8. Tot Books. CIP.


Subject Heading:
Babysitters-Juvenile literature.

LITTLE BEAR CAN'T SLEEP

Sylvie Assathiany and Louise Pelletier. Illustrated by Phillipe Beha.
Toronto, ON: James Lorimer.
unpaged, board, $3.95.
ISBN 0-88862-769-6. Tot Books. CIP.


Subject Heading:
Children-Sleep-Juvenile literature.

PEEPEE IN THE POTTY

Sylvie Assathiany and Louise Pelletier. Illustrated by Phillipe Beha.
Toronto, ON: James Lorimer.
unpaged, board, $3.95.
ISBN 0-88862-776-X. Tot Books. CIP.


Subject Heading:
Toilet training-Juvenile literature.


Preschool / Ages 1-3

Reviewed by Patricia Sentance.

Volume 13 Number 4
1985 July


This series of four Tot Books attempts to deal with problems confronting preschoolers such as toilet training, having a babysitter, nightmares, and getting hair cut. Their use is limited to children eighteen months to three years who may be having difficulties in these areas. The board book format restricts any in-depth treatment of these sensitive subjects, so the conflicts are not fully developed. In three of the books, the resolution to the problem is weak. The illustrations are colourful, humourous, and accurately reflect the contents.

Peepee in the Potty explores the fundamentals of toilet training. The message is positive, and the subject is treated with lighthearted simplicity.

Don't Cut My Hair seeks a rational resolution to a problem that frustrates parents more than children. A logic, which is suspiciously adult in tone, takes over from Dominique's delightful contemplation of the benefits of long hair. Consequently, her decision to let someone cut her hair does not quite ring true.

I Love My Babysitter shows a positive relationship between a youngster, whose mother and father work, and his caretaker. The book fails, however, either through the text or the illustrations, to establish an equally loving relationship between the parents and the child.

The central conflict in Little Bear Can't Sleep is who is going to sleep in whose bed when Little Bear visits his parents' room after being awakened by a bad dream. Father is unsympathetic, Little Bear becomes tyrannical, and mother is a passive participant in the nocturnal confrontation. While both parties go to sleep thinking they have won, Little Bear's fears remain unsolved.


Patricia Sentance, Nepean Public Library, Nepean, ON.
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