This is a cute title with basic illustrations. It's a good (not great) choice for babies and toddlers. The text describing the swallow's return and all the spring time activities and growth like kite flying, grass growing, bees pollinating and picnics is supported by the brightly colored pictures. It's an okay choice for preschools and home libraries with very young children. I will point out like other reviewers that I'm a little lost about Columbino, the bird readers are apparently supposed to know.

Seems to be part of a series. But readers unfamiliar with the series may not connect with some of the text. For instance, who is "Colombino?" (Seems to be a familiar bird.) Perhaps it's a translation issue from the original language. Small childlike illustrations appear on each spread (text on one, image on the other). We'll pass on this one.

Nice spring book for little kids! Illustrations are bold and I am assuming colorful (I only have a Kindle, but most books like this are pretty brightly or boldly colored.). I am thinking one on one reading with a care giver would work very well, but if it's a picture book, a story time might not be out of the question! Sweet!

The simple sentences and illustrations would definitely appeal to young children – I would say from birth to age 3 max. The illustrations are bright, colourful, and reflective of the 70s but not so dated as to turn off readers. The story though…

It starts off well – following the swallows, then the little swallow…and then there is a chick “Colombino” (I wonder if I missed something with the statement), then butterflies…and then bees (at this point the story flows again – bees, flowers, honey). Whether there is a stronger connection in the original Italian version I can’t say but those two pages definitely don’t make sense with the rest of the story pattern in my opinion.

Overall, it’s an okay story but it wouldn’t have been one of my children’s favourites – definitely not one of mine.

Special thanks to Xist Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of the book.

This book had very colorful, bright pictures. The text was very simple. I think this would be very well suited for very little children. I imagine it might come out in board book format.

#netgalley

Another in the series of Italian kids’ books celebrating their fortieth anniversary.
With very simple artwork and words, this tells the story of a swallow going home, literally. Not a mission in California, but an actual home, with friends in the garden where they can have a picnic. It’s even simpler than others by this same author, and that’s saying a lot.
At the same time I’m sure the tiny tots will love it.

This delightful book celebrates the wonderful season of Spring as seen through the eyes of a returning swallow to his home. He soars and glides long the blue sea and on his journey he observes fluttering butterflies, sprouting flowers in gardens, busy bees on flowers collecting nectar to make sweet honey, and a kite flying high in the sky, just to name a few.

The illustrations are bold, vibrant and very kid-friendly. The text is simple and perfect for an emergent reader to go solo with. This book is part of a series "Kika"s First Books", created by Altan for his young child. "Kika's First Books" are celebrating their 40th anniversary with new publications in English after being loved in Italy for generations. These books highlight common childhood themes and experiences and I know that wee ones will love them.

I couldn't even download this one so I was unable to see it.

This is the 40th anniversary of this title. I can not decide if it is meant to be a picture book, or an easy reader. It feel more like a board book. The story is simple, and so is the art, which is part of what makes it last 40 years.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Xist Publishing for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Cute book but I found some of the wording to be odd. who is Colombino? I assume a friend. Assumes foreknowledge that children won't have. Rated it a 3.5. Liked the graphics.

A small but perfectly charming volume for the very small (and hopefully charming) reader. Birds make friends, and bees make honey - just because it's spring. Part of a series of books from the 1970s, they all seem to hit the right buttons as regards books for toddlers; they wouldn't be coming around all over again if not.