Lois T. Smith illustrates and writes Carrie and Carl Play. Carrie and Carl are sister and brother. The siblings are three and four-years-old. They are young children at play in their house.

The reader watches the two at play in the eighteen-page picture book. It is a lift-the-flap book. A simple question is asked on the preceding page. On the following page, lift-the-flap to see and read the question’s answer. The first question: Who is playing at home? Answer: Carrie and Carl.

The young children are not alone. They play around the home with their Mommy and Daddy. Parents interact with the children and supervise their activities. As the children play: blocks, pots, pans and other household items become playthings for the creative pair.

Children will love seeing Carrie and Carl play. They relate to the creative ways the children play in a typical home. Carrie and Carl turn a box into a train. Pots and pans become Carrie’s shoes. Children are so creative at this age.

Many biracial families like the book because the mother is white and the father is darker. They like the book being a part of their home library. In my opinion, the mother is a light-skinned Black woman with a darker skin husband. If the issue is important, then it is another reason to add the book to the library. Otherwise, Carrie and Carl Play is a great book for all children.

Carrie and Carl Play by Lois T. Smith is for children ages two through five. The paper book has sturdier pages than average, but not as durable as a board book. The sentences are written in large print so children can easily focus on each word as it is read. Also, the flaps are large so children can easily open and close them. This is good because children in the target age group have not developed their fine motor skills.





Infants and Toddlers Board Books

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