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PAX AND BLUE

Name: PAX AND BLUE
Author: Lori Richmond
ISBN: 978-1-4814-5132-1

by Lori Richmond ; illustrated by Lori Richmond ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 7, 2017

Nicely pitched to young readers’ empathies.

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An ordinary city pigeon follows a little boy onto a subway train.

Pax is a small white boy with round glasses, bright green boots, a red lunch bag, and a backpack—and a pigeon friend whom he calls Blue and feeds daily with a bit of toast. When this morning Pax is “rushed along” by his mother (“Mom can’t be late”), the bird pursues them, down the steps to the subway and right into their car. Blue is definitely out of place. The bird’s look of surprise is a comical, extremely up-close, full-bleed double-page spread: “Uh oh.” It’s soon clear that affection for the pigeon is Pax’s alone—the other passengers’ flailing arms and alarmed cries of “Yuck!” “Shoo!” and “Ick!” amusingly reveal their feelings about the pigeon on the train. But Pax thinks quickly and helps Blue leave the train the next time the doors open. Reassuringly—as Blue is left alone on the empty platform—the text reads, “Pax knew / he would see Blue again tomorrow morning.” Richmond’s cartoon style keeps Pax and Blue at the front of the story with the bustle of the city as background. Pale yellow cabs with checker designs rush by on the streets, while a cross section of the subway station shows a variety of people (all white as the paper they’re printed on) and activities.

Nicely pitched to young readers’ empathies. (Picture book. 2-5)

Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-4814-5132-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: Nov. 1, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
PORCUPINE CUPID
by Jason June ; illustrated by Lori Richmond

- BOOK REVIEW
PINKY CRASHES THE PARTY!
by Michael Portis ; illustrated by Lori Richmond

- BOOK REVIEW
BUNNY BUSINESS
by Lori Richmond ; illustrated by Lori Richmond

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK MAKES A FRIEND
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
TIME FOR SCHOOL, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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HAPPY EASTER, LITTLE POOKIE

From the Little Pookie series

by Sandra Boynton ; illustrated by Sandra Boynton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 31, 2023

An upbeat Easter outing with a beloved character.

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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)