Alphonse Knows … a Circle Is Not a Valentine

Joan Buchanan is a writer, storyteller and instructor, and author of
Taking Care of My Cold.

Alphonse the painter and his friend the mouse have fun learning in these
two additions to Zimmermann’s series for preschoolers. In A Circle Is
Not a Valentine, Alphonse wildly draws all sorts of shapes in his
pursuit of a valentine. Children will enjoy the small, calm mouse’s
being the one who knows best. They will also like the predictable
pattern of the book, while the surprise ending will bring lots of
giggles. The illustrations are funny and bursting with energy.

Although also instructive and engaging, The Colour of Spring is harder
to follow. Listeners or readers must pay extremely close attention to
the action and the different colours to understand how mixing primary
colours has been presented. Still, the mouse’s perseverance will be
appreciated, as will Alphonse’s craziness.

These books are well designed and sturdily bound, able to withstand
much handling by an eager audience.