Busy vet illustrated by Louise Forshaw

Busy books. Pan Macmillan, 2017. ISBN 9781509828746
(Age: 2-4) Vets. Board book, Interactive book, Rhyme. This is one of the Busy book series (comprising more than 20 titles) that includes Busy cafe, Busy park, Busy baking, and Busy fire station. Each book contains push, pull and slide tabs and is composed of very sturdy board pages. The tabs and pull-outs are equally robust. Each page contains lots of detail, thereby providing opportunities for children to ask questions, make observations and discuss what they notice. As such, it is perfect for inquisitive toddlers. There are also simple questions directed at the reader (e.g. 'How many carrots can you count?'). The text is very short, each page giving a brief rhyme about the vet as she treats each animal (e.g. 'Poor kitty with a broken bone, you'll soon be fixed and going home'). Each page shows a different aspect of the job of a vet (examining injured animals, giving injections, doing x-rays) and the spaces within a clinic (waiting room, animal cages, examination room). The text relates directly to what happens within the interactive push/pull/slide tabs. The scenes are very realistic and contemporary, containing all the things you see in a vet surgery including scales, computers and x-ray machines. Little animal lovers will adore this, especially those who have pets at home and are curious about what happens at the vets.
Nicole Nelson