This memorable story will help toddlers (and caregivers) connect behavior to the language of sharing.
A cluster of fallen nuts is the setting for an exploration of one of life’s most difficult concepts: not mine?
A fuzzy, red squirrel in blue overalls pushing a wheelbarrow is first on the scene, delighted to claim “my” nuts. This assumption is soon challenged by a compatriot in a yellow dress with a red wagon. Clinging to the same morsel as other creatures take sides (“His nuts!” “Her nuts!”), the duo faces off across the gutter while a rabbit tries to impose reason by division, suggesting “Your nuts… / and your nuts.” This leads to full-blown tantrums and a cooling-off period while the rodents sit, miffed, in their respective patches of grass. The action all takes place in the foreground. Vibrant, mixed-media animals and hints of landscaping are easy to follow against cream-colored pages. There are ladybugs and bees to count, a snail’s progress to track, and a minimal text in a large font; these elements, combined with the theme, make this a title that will serve young children well, visually and conceptually. Finally, the squirrel in blue thinks of a different pronoun: “Our nuts?” Peace is restored, and the departing characters summarize the solution: “Their nuts!” By the time the duo discovers apples, it seems they have assimilated their new vocabulary.
This memorable story will help toddlers (and caregivers) connect behavior to the language of sharing. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: Sept. 10, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5362-0824-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Review Posted Online: May 25, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2019
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
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Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable.
You think you know shapes? Animals? Blend them together, and you might see them both a little differently!
What a mischievous twist on a concept book! With wordplay and a few groan-inducing puns, Neal creates connections among animals and shapes that are both unexpected and so seemingly obvious that readers might wonder why they didn’t see them all along. Of course, a “lazy turtle” meeting an oval would create the side-splitting combo of a “SLOW-VAL.” A dramatic page turn transforms a deeply saturated, clean-lined green oval by superimposing a head and turtle shell atop, with watery blue ripples completing the illusion. Minimal backgrounds and sketchy, impressionistic detailing keep the focus right on the zany animals. Beginning with simple shapes, the geometric forms become more complicated as the book advances, taking readers from a “soaring bird” that meets a triangle to become a “FLY-ANGLE” to a “sleepy lion” nonagon “YAWN-AGON.” Its companion text, Animal Colors, delves into color theory, this time creating entirely hybrid animals, such as the “GREEN WHION” with maned head and whale’s tail made from a “blue whale and a yellow lion.” It’s a compelling way to visualize color mixing, and like Animal Shapes, it’s got verve. Who doesn’t want to shout out that a yellow kangaroo/green moose blend is a “CHARTREUSE KANGAMOOSE”?
Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 27, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0534-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018
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