The back-of-the-book blurb declares that it’s “an awesome game”; just saying something’s awesome doesn't make it so.
A barnyard seek-and-find for toddlers.
Each busy double-page spread hides a number of animals—none of whom bear much resemblance to their namesakes in the real world. Instead, they are stylized, cutesy collage creations outlined in stitch patterns, resembling stuffed patchwork animals more than anything else. Although a counting book that goes from one through five should be simple, this one isn’t, skipping from “three” to “five” abruptly: “You found Cow, and Pig, and Bunny! / They knew they could count on you! / How many friends are hiding now? / FOUR?...No, FIVE! It's true!” Skipping over “four” will only confuse young children, who are already challenged by the concept of one-to-one correspondence. The back of the book tells readers they will be helping Silly Stitches with the counting, and it’s unclear which animal—if any—is Silly Stitches, since that character is never specified within the text. These weaknesses are repeated in the second Silly Stitches book, Guess Who's Hiding in the Forest, published simultaneously. Tactile elements, glitter, and shiny highlights are not enough to redeem either title.
The back-of-the-book blurb declares that it’s “an awesome game”; just saying something’s awesome doesn't make it so. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4867-0615-0
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Flowerpot Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer...
Seven years after Little Pookie (2011) first appeared, this popular piglet is finally celebrating Christmas.
“Oh Pookie! Come look! It’s beginning to snow,” says a maternal-looking pig. But where did Pookie go? Past the Christmas tree, to put on a snowsuit of course. Pookie’s ever cheerful mama is willing to go out too. After all, “It’s a magical time to be walking with you.” When she observes, “Our noses are frozen. It’s time to go in,” Pookie protests in typical toddler style: “But I’m not c-c-c-cold!” The next three pages highlight indoor holiday preparations—making paper garlands, baking and decorating cookies. The rhyming text mirrors the spare illustrations. A spidery type that emulates handwriting makes it clear when Pookie is speaking. Then “the doorbell is ringing. / Our family and friends have arrived for the singing.” The second-to-last spread shows Pookie, mama, and six other pigs—and Boynton’s requisite chicken—singing (“Con brio”), “MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! AND A HAP-PY NEW YEAR!” Conveniently, this text is placed beneath the musical notation. Finally Pookie hangs a stocking and goes off to bed without any fuss, anticipating presents on Christmas morning.
The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer or an ideal Christmas Eve read to share with other little piggies. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3724-1
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Leave the hopping to Peter Cottontail and sing the original song instead.
An Easter-themed board-book parody of the traditional nursery rhyme.
Unfortunately, this effort is just as sugary and uninspired as The Itsy Bitsy Snowman, offered by the same pair in 2015. A cheerful white bunny hops through a pastel world to distribute candy and treats for Easter but spills his baskets. A hedgehog, fox, mouse, and various birds come to the bunny’s rescue, retrieving the candy, helping to devise a distribution plan, and hiding the eggs. Then magically, they all fly off in a hot air balloon as the little animals in the village emerge to find the treats. Without any apparent purpose, the type changes color to highlight some words. For very young children every word is new, so highlighting “tiny tail” or “friends” makes no sense. Although the text is meant to be sung, the words don't quite fit the rhythm of the original song. Moreover, there are not clear motions to accompany the text; without the fingerplay movements, this book has none of the satisfying verve of the traditional version.
Leave the hopping to Peter Cottontail and sing the original song instead. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-5621-0
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
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BOOK REVIEW
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