Not a stand-alone but a complement to other books on anxiety.
Small animals deal with anxiety.
The book stumbles at the beginning by positioning a feeling as something to be avoided. Rather than inviting readers to acknowledge and sit with whatever they’re feeling, the narrator admonishes the puppy cowering under its bed: “Don’t be nervous.” Rhyming text proceeds to tackle circumstances that may provoke anxiety in children (loud storms, fear of joining in with others) as well as general anxiety responses like a racing heart and being out of breath. Practical steps on how to deal with anxiety are presented, including breathing exercises, mantras, breaking problems down into steps, and more. The book unfolds in a pattern, one double-page spread introducing the anxiety-producing scenario and the next offering the coping strategy: imagining a flowery field during a thunderstorm, joining in the fun sliding on ice, etc. All of the scenarios feature small animals (penguins, a hedgehog, a bunny, and so forth) who are depicted in colorful scenes with minimal details and unencumbered backgrounds, making it easy to focus on the text and the emotions of the characters without distractions. Though the opening merits unpacking, the rest of the book may be a useful tool to help guide younger readers through bouts with anxiety. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.3-by-20.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 29.2% of actual size.)
Not a stand-alone but a complement to other books on anxiety. (note) (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 2, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5248-6535-1
Page Count: 34
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Review Posted Online: Jan. 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2021
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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