Even the most rabid members of the unicorn-loving herd should stampede away.
Will this little unicorn get her wish to soar through the bright, blue sky?
The action plays out in the patterned manner of “There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly.” Unfortunately, it struggles to achieve that classic’s familiar meter and scansion. “There was a silly unicorn who wanted to fly. / She tried by swallowing a bee, OH MY! / The buzzing would surely make her go high.” She swallows a butterfly to assist the bee. Unfortunately for the other winged creatures in her vicinity, that does not help her to “dance with the trees.” She next gulps down a bat. Still grounded, she gobbles an owl, to no avail. Even swallowing an eagle doesn’t get her into the air. But when she sees a rainbow, it magically lifts her into the sky…and the friends she swallowed in her misguided attempts to get airborne all magically pop out so they can “swirl and whirl and dance with the trees.” Barclay’s pudgy, pink unicorn and bright, generic landscapes can’t save this leaden effort, though the swirl of cakes and candies in the unicorn’s stomach do nicely echo the treacle in the text. The verse is maddeningly difficult to read aloud due to its clunky meter and frequent departure from its model’s form. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9.9-by-19-inch double-page spreads viewed at 15.9% of actual size.)
Even the most rabid members of the unicorn-loving herd should stampede away. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: April 6, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-545-65188-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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
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