Pocket Bear
Katherine Applegate
Another excellent Juvenile Fiction for readers interested in this subject
Where Is Baby's Belly Button?
by Karen Katz
A sturdy lift-the-flap board book that turns naming body parts into a peekaboo game babies want to play again and again.
What It's About
Karen Katz's board book is built around one simple, irresistible game: asking where part of a baby has gone, then lifting a flap to find it hidden behind something from everyday life, like clothing, bath toys, or a bowl. Each spread poses a question, the child lifts the flap, and the answer appears. That rhythm of question, pause, and reveal is the whole book, and it is exactly what makes it work for the very young.
Katz's illustrations are bright, flat, and cheerful, with round-faced babies of different skin tones set against bold patterned backgrounds. The pictures are uncluttered enough for an infant to focus on, and the flaps are large and easy for small, clumsy fingers to grab. The text is minimal and repetitive, so even a tired parent can read it on autopilot while the child does the fun part.
Reading it is less a story and more a shared ritual. It invites pointing, naming, tickling, and touching your own child's nose or toes as you go. Many families find their baby starts anticipating the reveals after a few readings, which is part of the appeal: it rewards repetition and builds early vocabulary and a sense of their own body. Expect to read it in about a minute, and then be asked to read it again.
Read this if you…
- have a baby or young toddler, roughly six months to two years old
- want an interactive book that helps teach body-part words through play
- need a durable, quick read for bedtime, car rides, or waiting rooms
Skip it if you…
- are looking for a book with an actual story or characters to follow
- are buying for a child over about three, who will likely find it too simple
Key Ideas
- 1
Peekaboo as a learning engine
The book borrows the logic of peekaboo, a game babies already love because things disappear and return. By hiding body parts under flaps, it turns that delight into a way of practicing object permanence and anticipation. The child learns that something hidden is still there, and gets the pleasure of proving it with their own hands each time.
- 2
Naming the body, one part at a time
Each page focuses on a single, familiar body part, which makes it a gentle first vocabulary book. Parents naturally extend the game by pointing to the same part on the child, making the words concrete and personal. It works well as an early tool for helping toddlers connect words like eyes, feet, and belly button to their own bodies.
- 3
Designed for small, clumsy hands
The physical format is a big part of the book's success. Thick board pages and large flaps let babies and young toddlers participate rather than just watch. Being able to lift the flap themselves gives children a sense of control and accomplishment, which keeps them engaged far longer than a book they can only look at.
- 4
Simple, inclusive, joyful illustration
Katz's signature style uses bold colors, simple shapes, and patterned clothing and backgrounds, with babies shown in a range of skin tones. The images are clear enough for developing eyes and warm enough to feel celebratory. Nothing is busy or ambiguous, so the reveal on each page lands instantly, even for a child who cannot yet talk.
Limitations
The most common complaint is durability: although the pages are sturdy, determined toddlers can tear the flaps off, and some families end up with a book of missing hiding places. The text is extremely short and repetitive, which children love but adults may tire of quickly. There is no narrative, so its usefulness drops off sharply once a child outgrows lift-the-flap play. It also covers only a handful of body parts, so it is a starting point rather than a complete early vocabulary resource.
Questions Readers Ask
- What age is Where Is Baby's Belly Button? best for?
- It suits babies from around six months through toddlers of about two, with some children enjoying it up to three. Younger babies enjoy watching an adult lift the flaps, while older babies and toddlers love lifting them on their own and naming the hidden body parts.
- Will the flaps survive a toddler?
- The board construction is solid, but the flaps are the weak point. Gentle use usually holds up well, while enthusiastic pulling or chewing can rip them off. Supervising early readings and showing how to lift rather than yank helps the book last longer.
- How does it compare to other Karen Katz books?
- It is one of Katz's best-known lift-the-flap titles and shares the same bright style and peekaboo format as her other baby books, such as Where Is Baby's Mommy? If your child enjoys this one, her similar titles offer the same experience with different themes.
- Published
- 2000
- ISBN
- 9780689835605
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Category
- Children's Books
Book details and cover from Google Books.
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