Though not a perfect offering, the “Spin & Spot” gimmick and animal-identification game will engage most toddlers.
Spin the dial to identify a variety of animals in different habitats.
Each double-page spread displays eight critters that live in one of eight environs, such as the suburbs (dubbed here “neighborhood”), a farm, the desert, the Arctic, and more. A relatively sturdy spin dial is embedded on every other page so youngsters can rotate the wheel and match small, one-color graphic depictions to larger, full-color images of each creature in the picture. A white band at the bottom of each spread includes a label for the habitat, a couple of sentences of text, and the repeated invitation to spot all eight animals. Reese’s art is clear and colorful, allowing for easy identification by toddlers. While the book has a nonfiction angle, the artist has taken some playful liberties in these scenes. A crab nips a fish’s tail for a tow through the ocean scene, while an elephant cheekily sprays a hippo in the savanna tableau. Happily, however, there is no sign of either a penguin or an igloo in the Arctic habitat. Many youngsters may be confused by the flat perspective and scale of these illustrations; a toucan looks larger than a jaguar in the rain-forest setting, a bear looks smaller than a skunk on the forest spread, and several creatures appear dangerously close to their predators.
Though not a perfect offering, the “Spin & Spot” gimmick and animal-identification game will engage most toddlers. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-545-78383-5
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: March 14, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
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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