This wintry triptych of Poppleton tales is all readers have come to expect from Rylant’s (Little Whistle’s Dinner Party, above, etc.) worthy pig: dry humor, natty friendships, and doings that kids can relate to. In the first story, Poppleton’s impressive display of icicles on his house, of which he is justly proud (though neighbors and family counsel him to remove them), is knocked to the ground by a wayward finch. The finch, Patrick by name, apologizes, then, seeing that Poppleton is a bit distraught, suggests Poppleton do something with them. They build a picket fence, and camaraderie. Next, since “winter always made Poppleton creative,” he decides to make a bust of Cherry Sue’s head. As he toils away, he must make frequent trips to Cherry Sue’s house to take a good look at her hair—and her eyes and her nose. Finally Cherry Sue has had enough and she tweaks Poppleton’s snout. Taken aback, he explains his harassment and Cherry Sue comes for a sitting. She even gives his nose a peck. Lastly, he’s disappointed when all his pals can’t go for a sleigh ride. Compounding the misery, they are all busy making delicious foods that he wishes he were eating. Then surprise, they descend upon Poppleton to celebrate his birthday (he’d forgotten). They even get to go for a midnight sleigh ride. All’s well in Poppleton’s world, a place in which kids will be happy to tarry (and so encourage beginning readers). Teague’s (Horus’s Horrible Day, p. 862, etc.) jovial, scrubbed artwork has Poppleton written all over it, especially when capturing Cherry Sue at her most indignant. (Easy reader. 3-8)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-590-84837-2
Page Count: 56
Publisher: Blue Sky/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2001
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Continuing to find inspiration in the work of Virginia Lee Burton, Munro Leaf and other illustrators of the past, Long (The Little Engine That Could, 2005) offers an aw-shucks friendship tale that features a small but hardworking tractor (“putt puff puttedy chuff”) with a Little Toot–style face and a big-eared young descendant of Ferdinand the bull who gets stuck in deep, gooey mud. After the big new yellow tractor, crowds of overalls-clad locals and a red fire engine all fail to pull her out, the little tractor (who had been left behind the barn to rust after the arrival of the new tractor) comes putt-puff-puttedy-chuff-ing down the hill to entice his terrified bovine buddy successfully back to dry ground. Short on internal logic but long on creamy scenes of calf and tractor either gamboling energetically with a gaggle of McCloskey-like geese through neutral-toned fields or resting peacefully in the shade of a gnarled tree (apple, not cork), the episode will certainly draw nostalgic adults. Considering the author’s track record and influences, it may find a welcome from younger audiences too. (Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-399-25248-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2009
SEEN & HEARD
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
