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SITTING

Definitely worth getting

A bemused teddy bear illustrates 15 ways to sit.

Energy, humor, and flawless design provide just enough information to engage toddlers. On the left-hand page, bold black type stands out against a white background. On the right, uncluttered illustrations effectively position patterns and primary colors against solid backgrounds. Scenes alternate between familiar and fanciful situations. Though the bear’s mouth rarely changes, subtle shifts of the eyes make its face surprisingly expressive, whether it’s waiting for a hot drink to cool, relaxing in an inflatable pool, or peering glumly from under an umbrella. Minor changes to the bear’s wardrobe add details about each activity. When “sitting in the garden” surrounded by flowers, the bear sports a broad-brimmed hat, but when “sitting in a car,” it wears a racer’s cap and natty striped scarf. A white sailor hat is appropriate for “sitting in a boat”; a white-and-yellow–striped shirt both complements and contrasts with the blue-and-white–striped sail. An arm draped around a companion bunny makes the more-abstract concept “sitting with a friend” clear. Going, which publishes simultaneously, features the same gentle humor, with the bear “going fast” (on a skateboard), “slow” (on a turtle), “to the doctor” (with both lollipop and thermometer), “to the bathroom,” etc.

Definitely worth getting . (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Feb. 5, 2019

ISBN: 978-0-06-279630-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: HarperFestival

Review Posted Online: Jan. 27, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2019

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LLAMA LLAMA TRICK OR TREAT

From the Llama Llama series

In this board book designed for the littlest llama lovers, adorable-as-ever Llama Llama (Llama Llama Red Pajama, 2005, etc.) gets ready for some Halloween fun.

Dewdney’s characteristic spare, apt rhymes convey a lot of action in effortlessly readable fashion. A charming and simple introduction to Halloween and its associated activities, this title finds little Llama Llama choosing and carving a pumpkin, pouring candy into bowls, picking out a costume and, finally, trick-or-treating. The costume Llama Llama decides to don—pointy teeth and a black mask and cape—is enough to frighten and fool his friends but not readers, who will immediately recognize and smile at the silly little mini-Dracula. With Dewdney’s characters as expressive as ever, young readers will be drawn right into the holiday fun, eagerly anticipating which costume Llama Llama will choose and excited to see him scare his friends and score some candy at trick-or-treat. In the equally appealing companion title, Llama Llama Jingle Bells,the little fellow gets ready for Christmas, baking and decorating some cookies in anticipation of Santa’s arrival. This simple holiday title will win Llama Llama new fans, and old friends will want to add it and its companion to their collections. (Board book. 1-2)

 

Pub Date: Aug. 19, 2014

ISBN: 978-0451469786

Page Count: 14

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: June 24, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2015

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THE ITSY BITSY BUNNY

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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