Part guessing-game and part dance, this rollicking picture book takes readers on a wild safari. Lively verses introduce young readers to several familiar jungle inhabitants; bear, monkey, elephant, leopard, and snake, while the inclusion of a vulture adds an exotic touch. Divided into two sections, the first half of the verse describes movements of an animal. “Down in the jungle where the leaves lie deep, / What can you see learning how to leap? . . .” Readers turn the page to discover the animal and the second part of the verse. “IT’S A LEOPARD / She goes leap, leap, boogie, woogie, oogie! / Leap, leap, boogie, woogie, oogie! / Leap, leap, boogie, woogie, oogie! / That’s the way she’s learning how to leap.” The song trots along at sprightly pace; however, speakers may find themselves (or at least their voices) boogie woogied out by the final animal. Harter’s brilliantly colored illustrations are an exuberant extension of the tale. Bright watercolors bring the jungle to life in a riot of vivid hues. A full-bleed, two-page spread accompanies each section of verse. Harter cleverly incorporates the featured animal, partially obscured by the greenery, into the illustration for the guessing portion of the song, providing readers with a visual clue. Her array of multicultural and differently-abled children all partake enthusiastically in the fun, as each section depicts an inquisitive child searching for and later dancing along with the featured animal. A rambunctious read-aloud that is sure to get listeners on their feet and dancing to the beat. A musical score is included. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2000
ISBN: 1-84148-094-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2000
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
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BOOK REVIEW
Yes, the Pigeon has to go to school, and so do readers, and this book will surely ease the way.
All the typical worries and excuses kids have about school are filtered through Willems’ hysterical, bus-loving Pigeon.
Told mostly in speech balloons, the bird’s monologue will have kids (and their caregivers) in stitches at Pigeon’s excuses. From already knowing everything (except whatever question readers choose to provide in response to “Go ahead—ask me a question. / Any question!”) to fearing learning too much (“My head might pop off”), Pigeon’s imagination has run wild. Readers familiar with Pigeon will recognize the muted, matte backgrounds that show off the bird’s shenanigans so well. As in previous outings, Willems varies the size of the pigeon on the page to help communicate emotion, the bird teeny small on the double-page spread that illustrates the confession that “I’m… / scared.” And Pigeon’s eight-box rant about all the perils of school (“The unknown stresses me out, dude”) is marvelously followed by the realization (complete with lightbulb thought bubble) that school is the place for students to practice, with experts, all those skills they don’t yet have. But it is the ending that is so Willems, so Pigeon, and so perfect. Pigeon’s last question is “Well, HOW am I supposed to get there, anyway!?!” Readers will readily guess both the answer and Pigeon’s reaction.
Yes, the Pigeon has to go to school, and so do readers, and this book will surely ease the way. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 2, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-368-04645-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 7, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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