A sweetly engaging book powered simply by imagination and a turn of the page.
Little Rabbit has fallen over and injured his elbow. It hurts!
Having helped to put Little Rabbit to bed (Tickle My Ears, 2016) and also to give him a bath (Bathtime for Little Rabbit, 2017), in this new installment readers are now asked to help Little Rabbit feel better. Tapping into a toddler’s developing sense of empathy, the author talks directly to children as he guides them through the actions that will help Little Rabbit. As the little white rabbit with a tear on his face shows off a bruised, red elbow, readers are asked to “Try blowing on it—wfff, wfff, wfff.” With the turn of the page, readers see their blowing didn’t help; Little Rabbit is bleeding. As he cries even harder, the author suggests children put a band-aid on. Turn the page, and—“Perfect!”—the crying has subsided somewhat, but a little more comforting is needed. A “magic rhyme,” perhaps: “Rock-a-bye bunny, in the treetop.” The hurt bunny is still crying so readers are asked to stroke his ears. “Thank you, that worked!” Now it’s time to wipe away the tears and blow his nose. “Very good!” The only thing remaining is to brush off the dirt and send Little Rabbit on his way. Little Rabbit’s feelings are so apparent in the expressive cartoon illustrations that young readers will easily connect with him.
A sweetly engaging book powered simply by imagination and a turn of the page. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-77657-177-2
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Gecko Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer...
Seven years after Little Pookie (2011) first appeared, this popular piglet is finally celebrating Christmas.
“Oh Pookie! Come look! It’s beginning to snow,” says a maternal-looking pig. But where did Pookie go? Past the Christmas tree, to put on a snowsuit of course. Pookie’s ever cheerful mama is willing to go out too. After all, “It’s a magical time to be walking with you.” When she observes, “Our noses are frozen. It’s time to go in,” Pookie protests in typical toddler style: “But I’m not c-c-c-cold!” The next three pages highlight indoor holiday preparations—making paper garlands, baking and decorating cookies. The rhyming text mirrors the spare illustrations. A spidery type that emulates handwriting makes it clear when Pookie is speaking. Then “the doorbell is ringing. / Our family and friends have arrived for the singing.” The second-to-last spread shows Pookie, mama, and six other pigs—and Boynton’s requisite chicken—singing (“Con brio”), “MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! AND A HAP-PY NEW YEAR!” Conveniently, this text is placed beneath the musical notation. Finally Pookie hangs a stocking and goes off to bed without any fuss, anticipating presents on Christmas morning.
The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer or an ideal Christmas Eve read to share with other little piggies. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3724-1
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Leave the hopping to Peter Cottontail and sing the original song instead.
An Easter-themed board-book parody of the traditional nursery rhyme.
Unfortunately, this effort is just as sugary and uninspired as The Itsy Bitsy Snowman, offered by the same pair in 2015. A cheerful white bunny hops through a pastel world to distribute candy and treats for Easter but spills his baskets. A hedgehog, fox, mouse, and various birds come to the bunny’s rescue, retrieving the candy, helping to devise a distribution plan, and hiding the eggs. Then magically, they all fly off in a hot air balloon as the little animals in the village emerge to find the treats. Without any apparent purpose, the type changes color to highlight some words. For very young children every word is new, so highlighting “tiny tail” or “friends” makes no sense. Although the text is meant to be sung, the words don't quite fit the rhythm of the original song. Moreover, there are not clear motions to accompany the text; without the fingerplay movements, this book has none of the satisfying verve of the traditional version.
Leave the hopping to Peter Cottontail and sing the original song instead. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-5621-0
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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