A common nighttime predicament with a few not-so-common solutions.
Little Mouse is having trouble falling asleep; Mama Mouse has many suggestions of what to try.
Snuggled up in his yellow pajamas, with his cozy, blue-checked blanket, Little Mouse should be drifting off to dreamland. But he is not sleepy. In fact, he’d much rather be jumping on the bed (with his many toys as accomplices). “If you want to fall asleep and you’re jumping on the bed … / Read pages in a story,” Mama says. “Not one or two or three, / but the whole book, from cover to cover.” Then, the most important piece of advice: “And wait for yawning.” Little Mouse reads a story, but the yawning doesn’t come. Mama then suggests thinking of the many pancakes Little Mouse will eat in the morning. “Not one or two or three, / but mountains of tasty goodness.” With each suggestion, a few more toys nod off to sleep, but Little Mouse is still awake. Until…a hug. Lulling language, key bedtime trigger words, and gentle repetition are sure to help tiny eyes close. Children will enjoy witnessing Little Mouse’s mischief and that of his many toys. (It should be noted that his human dolls all have light skin, and at one point a teddy bear with painted face dresses in a stereotypical Plains Indian costume.)
A common nighttime predicament with a few not-so-common solutions. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: May 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-60537-364-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clavis
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
The combination of lovingly humorous and detailed mixed-media illustrations and infectious rhymes will cause little ones and...
More than skin deep, this rhyming paean to diversity offers readers an array of families of all colors and orientations, living and loving one another in a vibrant city setting.
A giggling baby is tummy-tickled by her white and black mothers (or white mother and black father—impressively, the illustration leaves room for interpretation) in New York’s Central Park in its summertime glory. "This is how we all begin: / small and happy in our skin." This celebration of skin not only extols the beauty and value of various skin colors, but also teaches the importance of skin as an essential body part: “It keeps the outsides out / and your insides in.” Park, public-pool, and block-party scenes allow readers to luxuriate in a teeming city where children of all colors, abilities, and religions enjoy their families and neighbors. The author and illustrator do not simply take a rote, tokenistic approach to answering the cry for diverse books; the words and pictures depict a much-needed, realistic representation of the statement “it takes a village to raise a child” when a child skins her knee and many rush to her aid and comfort. Though her palette of browns is a little limited, Tobia creates sheer joy with her depictions of everything from unibrows, dimples, and birthmarks to callouts to recognizable literary characters.
The combination of lovingly humorous and detailed mixed-media illustrations and infectious rhymes will cause little ones and their families to pore over this book again and again. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7002-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 11, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2015
Although a bit on the slight side, this offering is infused with a warm, light humor just right for cuddling up with a young...
This title previously published in the U.K. takes a cozy look at all kinds of kisses.
Walsh’s rhyming text is full of cutesy rhythms: “Kisses on noses, kisses on toes-es. Sudden kisses when you least supposes.” Sometimes the phrasing stumbles: “Who likes to kiss? I do! I do! Even the shy do. Why not try, too?” But toddlers and young preschoolers will probably not mind. They will be too engaged in spotting the lively penguin on each spread and too charmed by Abbot’s winsome illustrations that fittingly extend the wording in the story. Patient dogs queue up for a smooch from a frog prince, cool blue “ ’normous elephants” contrast strikingly with bright red “little tiny ants” and a bewildered monkey endures a smattering of lipstick kisses. Be the kiss small or tall, one to start or end the day, young readers are reminded that “the very best kiss… / is a kiss from you!” Perhaps no big surprise but comforting nonetheless.
Although a bit on the slight side, this offering is infused with a warm, light humor just right for cuddling up with a young tyke or sharing with a gathering for storytime. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Dec. 20, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4424-2769-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Nov. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2011
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