BOOK REVIEW: “WHITE ON BLACK”

BABY SEES HIGH CONTRAST AND SIMPLE SHAPES

Tana Hoban’s “White on Black” is an excellent first book for baby.  Drawing from the knowledge that newborns first see high contrast well, such as black and white, she created an adorable baby book on this principle.  By contrasting white shapes familiar to baby against jet black pages, Tana Hoban’s “White on Black” stimulates baby’s eyesight development.  One page depicts a large white baby bottle against the pitch black page.  The size of the image allows baby the chance to see the outline, the places where the white and black colors meet, quite well.

STIMULATION OF BABY’S SENSES

Stellarcaterpillar.com explores many ways to stimulate baby’s senses at home with the goal of facilitating movement.  We have explored how the senses invite the development of movement skills.  For example, the baby sees the rattle before reaching and grasping it. Or, he hears a sound on his left and turns his head to look at it which evolves into a roll onto his stomach.  A library of carefully chosen baby books can be a valuable tool in this sensory development.

BOOKS FOR BABY SLEEP AND BABY PLAY

Looking at a baby book is also an effective way for baby to develop a routine for naps or sleep.  Several wise grandmothers I know often recount the stories of advice they have given new mothers about developing a routine for nap time and baby sleep, and often it involves looking at a book with baby.  Baby play time can also include looking at these charming and colorful books.  They often engage many senses as the bright colors stimulate vision, the rhyming words please the hearing, and the textures engage touch.

White on Black:  by Tana Hoban. (New York: William Morrow & Co., Inc., 1993).