This well-executed, toddler-friendly board book is a great introduction to fall and a perfect choice for one-on-one or small...
Broach’s eager toddler is back (Seashore Baby, 2010; Snowflake Baby, 2011) to explore another season—this time, fall on the farm.
Spare, poetic text describes a toddler’s busy autumn day, beginning with: “Barnyard baby / Autumn day / Sweater baby / Let’s go play.” The sweet, dynamic illustrations depict an exuberant toddler decked out in overalls, sweater and hat cheerfully pulling a wagon toward a barn door. For extra fun, the red barn door is a flap that lifts to reveal a cow and calf. The second double-page spread presents “Wagon baby / Marching legs / Henhouse baby / Finding eggs.” The henhouse door is the flap here, revealing a hen and three little chicks. Baby proceeds to feed the sheep, jump into a leaf pile, pick apples, sip cider and chase a cat. Finally, the tot dons flannel pajamas and cuddles up to sleep with the little puppy that’s been a faithful companion all day long. Children will enjoy following the baby’s journey through the busy fall day and discovering the animals hidden beneath the large, easy-to-grab flaps located on each right-hand page. The endearing rhymes scan well and read quickly, a great combination for keeping little ones interested.
This well-executed, toddler-friendly board book is a great introduction to fall and a perfect choice for one-on-one or small group sharing. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Aug. 6, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-316-21203-8
Page Count: 14
Publisher: LB Kids/Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2014
An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to.
This simplified version of Diesen and Hanna’s The Pout-Pout Fish (2008) is appropriate for babies and toddlers.
Brief, rhyming text tells the story of a sullen fish cheered up with a kiss. A little pink sea creature pokes his head out of a hole in the sea bottom to give the gloomy fish some advice: “Smile, Mr. Fish! / You look so down // With your glum-glum face / And your pout-pout frown.” He explains that there’s no reason to be worried, scared, sad or mad and concludes: “How about a smooch? / And a cheer-up wish? // Now you look happy: / What a smile, Mr. Fish!” Simple and sweet, this tale offers the lesson that sometimes, all that’s needed for a turnaround in mood is some cheer and encouragement to change our perspective. The clean, uncluttered illustrations are kept simple, except for the pout-pout fish’s features, which are delightfully expressive. Little ones will easily recognize and likely try to copy the sad, scared and angry looks that cross the fish’s face.
An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-374-37084-8
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014
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The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer...
Seven years after Little Pookie (2011) first appeared, this popular piglet is finally celebrating Christmas.
“Oh Pookie! Come look! It’s beginning to snow,” says a maternal-looking pig. But where did Pookie go? Past the Christmas tree, to put on a snowsuit of course. Pookie’s ever cheerful mama is willing to go out too. After all, “It’s a magical time to be walking with you.” When she observes, “Our noses are frozen. It’s time to go in,” Pookie protests in typical toddler style: “But I’m not c-c-c-cold!” The next three pages highlight indoor holiday preparations—making paper garlands, baking and decorating cookies. The rhyming text mirrors the spare illustrations. A spidery type that emulates handwriting makes it clear when Pookie is speaking. Then “the doorbell is ringing. / Our family and friends have arrived for the singing.” The second-to-last spread shows Pookie, mama, and six other pigs—and Boynton’s requisite chicken—singing (“Con brio”), “MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! AND A HAP-PY NEW YEAR!” Conveniently, this text is placed beneath the musical notation. Finally Pookie hangs a stocking and goes off to bed without any fuss, anticipating presents on Christmas morning.
The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer or an ideal Christmas Eve read to share with other little piggies. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3724-1
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019
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