When a wee bunny misplaces her beloved blanket, the entire family bands together for a search-and-rescue mission. Little Flora can't sleep a wink without her special blanket. With offers of replacements from her siblings summarily refused by the disconsolate bunny, everyone embarks upon a house- and yard-wide search. As the regular spots fail to turn up the elusive bedding, they begin to look about in nonsensical locations, such as inside the refrigerator and in the greenhouse. Alas, the rabbit clan wanders over house, hill, and dale in vain. When the fruitless search is ultimately called off, Flora's blanket is discovered in the likeliest (but overlooked) place—tucked into mommy and daddy's bed. Gliori's (DK Book of Nursery Rhymes, p. 182, etc.) simple but comical tale has just the right blend of reality and silliness to tickle tiny funnybones. Preschoolers can empathize with Flora's predicament while giggling over the bunny family's increasingly outlandish search. Full-page, full-bleed watercolor illustrations depict an irresistibly cute clan of cuddly rabbits (including one who can't keep his nose out of a book). Little ones will enjoy the notion that the rabbits' house looks remarkably like their own, only with special bunny touches—a carrot-filled vase centerpiece, a rabbit-shaped sand box, a carrot handle on the fridge door, and more. Perfect for any tot who has misplaced a favored comfort object and the scores of beleaguered parents who have been sent out on countless wild-goose chases. (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: April 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-531-30305-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2001
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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