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THANK YOU!

Name: THANK YOU!
Author: Ethan Long
ISBN: 978-1-4197-1364-4

From the Animal Sounds series

by Ethan Long ; illustrated by Ethan Long ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 3, 2016

This is lighthearted, playful, and accessible etiquette for the youngest readers.

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Various animals, a toddler, and a grown-up model gratitude.

After each creature sees generosity in action, the critter pays it forward. A cat offers a dog a ball, the same dog gives a hummingbird a flower, and this bird passes a shoot of bamboo to a panda. Each animal responds to the kindness with its signature sound (“Bark bark!” “Hum hum!” and “Growl growl!” respectively). These karmic acts of giving come full circle as the cat that started it all receives a ball of yarn from a pig. On the penultimate double-page spread, a black-haired, dark-eyed, light-brown–skinned youngster reflects on the generosity readers have just witnessed. In the end, the child sits down to a meal with a “Thank You!” and a caregiver responds with a pleased “You’re welcome!” Long’s cartoon characters, with endearingly large eyes and gleeful grins, cleverly reach through panels and even across gutters to share items with their fellows. The art, which looks to be digital, employs a slightly rough edge, giving the flat imagery some needed texture.

This is lighthearted, playful, and accessible etiquette for the youngest readers. (Board book. 2-4)

Pub Date: May 3, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-4197-1364-4

Page Count: 20

Publisher: Abrams Appleseed

Review Posted Online: March 15, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

- BOOK REVIEW
HUGS FOR PUG
by Ethan Long ; illustrated by Ethan Long

- BOOK REVIEW
LOST IN THE LIBRARY
by Joe McGee ; illustrated by Ethan Long

- BOOK REVIEW
HORSE & BUGGY ON WHEELS!
by Ethan Long ; illustrated by Ethan Long

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK MAKES A FRIEND
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
TIME FOR SCHOOL, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S VALENTINE
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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ANIMAL SHAPES

by Christopher Silas Neal ; illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2018

Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable.

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You think you know shapes? Animals? Blend them together, and you might see them both a little differently!

What a mischievous twist on a concept book! With wordplay and a few groan-inducing puns, Neal creates connections among animals and shapes that are both unexpected and so seemingly obvious that readers might wonder why they didn’t see them all along. Of course, a “lazy turtle” meeting an oval would create the side-splitting combo of a “SLOW-VAL.” A dramatic page turn transforms a deeply saturated, clean-lined green oval by superimposing a head and turtle shell atop, with watery blue ripples completing the illusion. Minimal backgrounds and sketchy, impressionistic detailing keep the focus right on the zany animals. Beginning with simple shapes, the geometric forms become more complicated as the book advances, taking readers from a “soaring bird” that meets a triangle to become a “FLY-ANGLE” to a “sleepy lion” nonagon “YAWN-AGON.” Its companion text, Animal Colors, delves into color theory, this time creating entirely hybrid animals, such as the “GREEN WHION” with maned head and whale’s tail made from a “blue whale and a yellow lion.” It’s a compelling way to visualize color mixing, and like Animal Shapes, it’s got verve. Who doesn’t want to shout out that a yellow kangaroo/green moose blend is a “CHARTREUSE KANGAMOOSE”?

Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable. (Board book. 2-4)