As simple and soft as a hug—and as reassuring.
Bird’s new in the forest, and as much as he’d like to befriend Bear, he never quite gets up the courage to say hello.
When Bear happens upon a bouncing red balloon, one that dances and plays, Bird watches, hidden behind branches and tree trunks. Muted, wintry colors and recurring round shapes perfectly describe both Bird’s vulnerability and his meek desire for friendship. Looking at Bird’s plump belly, the balloon’s swollen circumference, Bear’s pillow-y body and ears, as well as at trees with dot-shaped leaves and at the loop-the-loop roller coaster and circling Ferris wheel in the distance, young readers will internalize an enveloping sense of roundness and soft edges, coming to recognize it as the very shape and feel of empathy. They know how Bird feels. They might remember peering out from behind caregivers’ legs to scout potential playmates, kicking pebbles in the recess yard, giving hopeful looks to another loner practicing handstands, meeting the eager, glinting eyes of a fellow camper across the campfire. Na’s illustrations—painterly layers of color, texture, and intuitive shapes—conjure tender associations, making his simple story not only immensely pleasing, but important. When Bird tries to rescue the balloon from the wind, making himself known, there’s a familiar rush of relief and joy. And a POP! that leads not to disaster but to friendship.
As simple and soft as a hug—and as reassuring. (Picture book. 2-6)Pub Date: March 14, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-399-55155-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Dec. 5, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2016
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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