Nevin Knows

Toddler Nevin and his grandpa are going to the park. Join them as they get ready to go and follow as Nevin leads the way to the park. At the park, Nevin enjoys the swings, says hi to birds and local dogs and picks some flowers for his Nana. Along the way, readers get to join in as Nevin says no and yes yes yes!

The structure of the book repeats with Nevin’s being asked questions and answering “no” and “yes” with enthusiasm. The book invites the reader to join in with Nevin’s exuberant answers. Elena Comte’s illustrations are simple and bright and provide the perfect accompaniment to Mireille Messier’s toddler-like repetitions. Nevin Knows perfectly mimics the experience of taking an independent toddler to the park, and the book will be enjoyed by children and the adults reading to them. Nevin Knows allows children to consider their own experiences of getting ready and walking to the park and is sure to become a favourite.

Only one element detracted from the experience of reading the book. The use of American terminology and spellings, such as favorite, sneakers, and woolly cap, was unexpected considering the author, illustrator, and publisher are all Canadian. Encountering these terms upon first reading the book was jarring, and I would swap them for Canadian terms if I was reading out loud to children. It can be difficult to find children’s books that represent Canadian English, and so it is always disappointing when Canadian publishers choose to cater to an American audience.

Overall, Nevin Knows is engaging and enjoyable and is a perfect book to pair with a walk to the park.