bookshelf

HELLO BIRDS, WHAT DO YOU SAY?

Name: HELLO BIRDS, WHAT DO YOU SAY?
Author: Loes Botman
ISBN: 978-1-78250-488-7

From the Hello Animals series

by Loes Botman ; illustrated by Loes Botman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 7, 2018

Though many of these birds aren’t likely to be found in most North American backyards, it’s nevertheless a friendly...

bookshelf

A sequence of birds answer the titular question with their signature sounds, accompanied by impressionistic paintings.

This book is a Dutch import via Scotland, and its origins show in the lineup, as five of the 12 birds represented do not typically occur in North America (and at least two others, the starling and the sparrow, are invasive imports). Still, although most North American children may not recognize the bullfinch or the Eurasian coot, they will get a kick out of chiming in as their caregivers read “Pipe pipe” or “Kowp kowp,” respectively. Botman presents each bird on a single page, the features closest to viewers (usually feather details) quite distinct, while the edges blur into dappled, soft-focus backgrounds. There is a peculiar inconsistency to the presentation: While the blue tit and great tit are represented opposite each other as two distinct species, for instance, a mute swan, a mallard drake, and a herring gull are described only as “swan,” “duck,” and “gull.” Still, there’s no denying the illustrations are very attractive, and the predictable pattern and onomatopoeia (“Chatter chatter says the magpie. / Chook chook says the blackbird”) vigorously support pre-literacy skills.

Though many of these birds aren’t likely to be found in most North American backyards, it’s nevertheless a friendly introduction to birds and bird calls for children on this side of the pond. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Aug. 7, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-78250-488-7

Page Count: 12

Publisher: Floris

Review Posted Online: July 23, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

- BOOK REVIEW
HELLO BABY ANIMALS, WHO ARE YOU?
by Loes Botman ; illustrated by Loes Botman

- BOOK REVIEW
HELLO ANIMALS, HOW DO YOU SLEEP?
by Loes Botman ; illustrated by Loes Botman

- BOOK REVIEW
HELLO BUGS, WHAT DO YOU DO?
by Loes Botman ; illustrated by Loes Botman

bookshelf

SMILE, POUT-POUT FISH

by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 7, 2014

An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to.

bookshelf

This simplified version of Diesen and Hanna’s The Pout-Pout Fish (2008) is appropriate for babies and toddlers.

Brief, rhyming text tells the story of a sullen fish cheered up with a kiss. A little pink sea creature pokes his head out of a hole in the sea bottom to give the gloomy fish some advice: “Smile, Mr. Fish! / You look so down // With your glum-glum face / And your pout-pout frown.” He explains that there’s no reason to be worried, scared, sad or mad and concludes: “How about a smooch? / And a cheer-up wish? // Now you look happy: / What a smile, Mr. Fish!” Simple and sweet, this tale offers the lesson that sometimes, all that’s needed for a turnaround in mood is some cheer and encouragement to change our perspective. The clean, uncluttered illustrations are kept simple, except for the pout-pout fish’s features, which are delightfully expressive. Little ones will easily recognize and likely try to copy the sad, scared and angry looks that cross the fish’s face.

An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-374-37084-8

Page Count: 12

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
THE WORRY-WORRY WHALE AND THE CLASSROOM JITTERS
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

- BOOK REVIEW
POUT-POUT FISH
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

- BOOK REVIEW
THE POUT-POUT FISH AND THE MAD, MAD DAY
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

bookshelf

MERRY CHRISTMAS, LITTLE POOKIE

by Sandra Boynton ; illustrated by Sandra Boynton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 18, 2018

The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer...

bookshelf

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)