Acceptable for pre-reading practice, but committed young entomologists and paleontologists will quickly abandon these trails...
Follow the Trail to reinforce pre-reading skills.
This bigger-than-normal board book and a companion about dinosaurs provide minimal information about two favorite subjects. Budding entomologists are invited to follow a variety of critters along glittery, lightly textured paths waymarked with factoids. As with Truck (2016), both this offering and Baby Dinosaurs (published simultaneously) begin with an introductory spread that explains how the book works. Occasional peek-through holes that hint at the next insect as well as textured shapes add variety (and distraction). Insects are not shown in actual size or in proportion to other critters. For example, tiny ladybugs are magnified to 3.5 inches, while the snail’s shell on the same page is just 2 inches across. This is helpful for showing detail but could hinder successful identification in nature. Sophisticated vocabulary with key words printed in boldface, highlighted directional words, and words of encouragement (“keep going,” “nearly there”) along each trail provide adults with the words to help children learning how to navigate text. The trails of the honeybee, ladybug, butterfly, and dragonfly cross two final pages, providing more practice and a review. The companion’s smiling dinosaurs are heavily anthropomorphized.
Acceptable for pre-reading practice, but committed young entomologists and paleontologists will quickly abandon these trails for books with more substantive information. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Feb. 14, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4654-5670-0
Page Count: 14
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.
Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An upbeat Easter outing with a beloved character.
Pookie celebrates Easter with a play date and holiday activities.
Pookie’s friend Bean, a gray puppy, comes over for Easter fun that includes lots of bouncing around and egg decorating. After Bean goes home, Pookie gets excited about the Easter Bunny’s arrival and goes to sleep dreaming of a large chocolate egg. Like the other Pookie books before it, this one is told in rhyme from the perspective of a loving grown-up addressing the little pig, which keeps the pace moving and makes for a great read-aloud. Bean and Pookie are realistically—and endearingly—childlike, from Pookie’s pronunciation of yellow as “lellow!” to the joyful mess they make while decorating eggs. There are plenty of sweet and festive touches, such as the bunny ears that Bean and Pookie (and Pookie’s teddy) wear and the daffodils painted on the end of Pookie’s bed. The illustrations include large, full-page images as well as smaller vignettes against solid backgrounds. One page shows Pookie and parent looking out the window at the moon, anticipating Easter’s spoils. For fans of Boynton and little Pookie, this Easter tale is exactly as expected: a touch of playfulness, a relatable story, and comfort in the familiar. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An upbeat Easter outing with a beloved character. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-66592-838-0
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Boynton Bookworks
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2022
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