Chomp Goes the Alligator, a counting board book with real bite 

To a new parent counting books might appear be quite similar. They were to us. The numbers don’t change; they go in order, what’s the difference. However, there are variables that need to be considered. If it’s a flap book (where you have to flip something up) are the flaps strong? Will they rip off easily? How thick are the pages? Will they be ripped or compromised with ease? Also, don’t forget the spine of the book-be sure that it’s strong enough to merit the cost of the book. Chomp Goes The Alligator by Matthew Van Flee gleefully devours all of those expectations into the best counting book that we’ve seen in years.

As a parent, our first counting book was a butterfly book that we’d still have today were it not for its poor construction. The spine was too weak, the pages were too thin, it had too many moving parts and it was poorly made.  It was an awesome book if you’re a responsible seven year old learning numbers. Unfortunately that is far beyond the typical years that an interactive counting book is aimed at.

Chomp Goes the Alligator has the same young demographic, but its leagues above most in the category. The narrator, as most great counting books have them, is here in the form of an ever growing alligator. When we see the alligator on the first page we also meet a shiny, blue fish. Alas, we only see the solitary blue fish for that one page because the alligator eats him.

Ha! It’s an excellent interactive counting book AND a crash course in nature-all in the same outfit. But does the book really end in that same dog eat dog manner? From there the alligator goes on to meet 4 beavers, 7 frogs and so on. As we meet each series of animals there is an interactive element, such as a frog’s sticky tongue-that kids can actually feel, (something sticky, not a real frog’s tongue obviously…) a bumpy element that mimics the bumpy skin of 7 newts and so on until he gets to 10.

After the alligator eats 10 hummingbirds astute readers will notice how full the alligator’s belly has gotten and now he’s got a tummy ache. Alas our greedy gator sees one tiny fish come along and lets out a massive burp. Along with the burp come all of the animals that the alligator has eaten in the book. The alligator is noticeably smaller and all of the animals are labeled. I now see milkweed (a plant that butterflies just love!), an aphid, Venus flytrap and more.

This particular page is presented like a pop-up book that really makes the book end with a bang. Toss in the fact that there’s a pull tab on the exterior of the book that allows you to move the alligator’s jaws open and shut throughout and you’ve got an interactive book that will entertain and educate. The pages in Chomp Goes the Alligator are also thicker than most board books and its spine is approximately 1/8 of an inch thick. This is strong, high quality stuff that will last for multiple children and possibly grand kids.

 

Chomp Goes the Alligator is a fabulously entertaining interactive counting board book. It’s also built like a tank, with quality construction to match the content.