Calling all kitty lovers: This charmer will make a purr-fect gift for new cat parents.
A cat’s gonna cat.
Floof, a large, very fluffy brown-gray cat, welcomes readers to this sweet, comical book with an open paw. Who could resist the “floofiest” cat there is, with big, round eyes, a bushy tail, and an adorable smile? Readers learn about Floof’s likes and dislikes; for instance, Floof loves syrupy pancakes and pizza. As for cat food, Floof can definitely leave it (and does). What else does Floof do? Plenty! “Floof reads. Floof gardens. Floof has many hobbies.” The accompanying illustrations show Floof slumbering atop a stack of books and in a planter. Floof also finds time to fit into boxes. Floof “has important work to do,” too—we see Floof dozing on a computer keyboard. Floof has friends—like the mice who gobble the family’s food while Floof naps—but not the scary-looking dog. After a very busy day, it’s lights out—for everyone else—and then a whole night for Floof to cut loose and carouse. There’s nothing new here, but cat lovers will smile at this knowing, loving glimpse into a feline’s typical daily and nightly routines. The engaging text welcomes emergent readers with very basic language—just one or two sentences or phrases per page—and the lively, humorous illustrations have a tactile quality; Floof’s, well, very floofy, just waiting to be petted.
Calling all kitty lovers: This charmer will make a purr-fect gift for new cat parents. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 23, 2024
ISBN: 9781523525867
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Algonquin
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
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