This accessible title rightly focuses on what is of interest to little ones.
A catalog of animal movements and other nature facts for the youngest zoologists.
Clear, eye-catching photos on solid, bright backgrounds show various critters jumping, hopping, running and galloping. The left-hand page depicts the creature moving through its habitat. The rabbit, for example, bounds through a field as the text asks, “Who’s that hopping?” The answer, printed on a band of color, is the movement restated, with the placement and size of type mimicking the action itself. The facing page presents the animal at rest so youngsters can get a clear look. Two simple facts about the animal are shared: “I am a cheetah. I have lots of spots and very sharp claws.” One body part of each creature is labeled with a dotted line, which may encourage adults to discuss these photos with their little ones. The companion book, Who’s that...Roaring? And Other Animal Sounds, follows an identical format, but here, the noises of domestic and wild animals are at play. While the featured creatures in both books are pretty standard animal fare (horse, lion, sheep and elephant), there are some new faces here (puma, grasshopper and parrot) and some interesting new vocabulary words (antenna, whiskers and mane). While a cleaner page layout might have served both offerings better, nonfiction is hard to come by for young children.
This accessible title rightly focuses on what is of interest to little ones. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: April 30, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-7534-6971-2
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Kingfisher
Review Posted Online: April 30, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2013
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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