A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, and this piggy makes these words of wisdom worth returning to.
Evidence that the best advice is the simple, straightforward variety, modeled by a caring pig.
“It’s easy to show you care….” In this uncredited translation from Dutch, small acts of ordinary kindness have their moment to shine in the sun. A line-drawn piggy in a sharp yellow sweater embodies this sound advice. Whether it’s tidying up at the end of the day, listening to others, or even looking after a sick friend, such recommendations go down a bit smoother when accompanied by cheerful, occasionally meditative images. Some admonishments fall into the realm of platitudes (“Care for the little things…and they’ll grow big”). Others (“Practice self-care,” accompanying our piggy protagonist looking particularly disheveled) come as pleasant surprises. Though in some cases the advice is strong, the images go in questionable directions (“Think of someone else’s feelings” is followed by an image of the pig dumping a goldfish into a fountain; “Say I’m sorry” is paired with an illustration of the pig kissing the foot of a turtle they trod on while in a hurry). Yet there’s no denying the tone’s ineffable quality, charming even as it instructs. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, and this piggy makes these words of wisdom worth returning to. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Aug. 30, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-60537-785-8
Page Count: 56
Publisher: Clavis
Review Posted Online: July 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2022
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
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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