More ho-hum than ho ho ho.
In trying to find out what Baby says on Christmas, readers encounter lots of sounds animals make.
This board book follows a predictable question-and-answer format. “On Christmas, does Baby say MEOW MEOW MEOW??” gives way with the page turn to “No! On Christmas, Kitten says MEOW MEOW MEOW!” The text explores who says “woof,” “tweet,” “ribbit,” and “glub,” at the end revealing what a chubby, Santa hat–topped Baby says (“HO HO HO!”) beside a tree-shaped mirror inviting readers to say it, too. The structure is certainly appropriate for little readers, who will enjoy playing along, but it comes across as a forced Christmas version of Highlights’ Who Says Uh-oh? (2019). The illustrations are largely photographs with added computer-generated, clip art–style images of gifts, stockings, and snowflakes. If it weren’t for those little touches, that last tot with the Santa hat (also the cover picture), and the words “Ho ho ho,” the book wouldn’t seem to be related to Christmas at all. The Santa baby and two others are pale-skinned or present white; one other appears Asian, and two seem black. While the babies and animals are certainly cute, overall, the illustrations don’t rise above that. This type of book is a dime a dozen, and this iteration doesn’t do anything to stand out, charm, or grab readers.
More ho-hum than ho ho ho. (Board book. 6 mos-2)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-68437-646-9
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Highlights Press
Review Posted Online: Oct. 8, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2019
Little Blue’s fans will enjoy the animal sounds and counting opportunities, but it’s the sparkling lights on the truck’s own...
The sturdy Little Blue Truck is back for his third adventure, this time delivering Christmas trees to his band of animal pals.
The truck is decked out for the season with a Christmas wreath that suggests a nose between headlights acting as eyeballs. Little Blue loads up with trees at Toad’s Trees, where five trees are marked with numbered tags. These five trees are counted and arithmetically manipulated in various ways throughout the rhyming story as they are dropped off one by one to Little Blue’s friends. The final tree is reserved for the truck’s own use at his garage home, where he is welcomed back by the tree salestoad in a neatly circular fashion. The last tree is already decorated, and Little Blue gets a surprise along with readers, as tiny lights embedded in the illustrations sparkle for a few seconds when the last page is turned. Though it’s a gimmick, it’s a pleasant surprise, and it fits with the retro atmosphere of the snowy country scenes. The short, rhyming text is accented with colored highlights, red for the animal sounds and bright green for the numerical words in the Christmas-tree countdown.
Little Blue’s fans will enjoy the animal sounds and counting opportunities, but it’s the sparkling lights on the truck’s own tree that will put a twinkle in a toddler’s eyes. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-544-32041-3
Page Count: 24
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2014
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A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
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