A basic introduction to nature exploration that’s nice enough but nothing remarkable.
From the undersides of logs to the tops of trees, Maisy and her friends explore nature at a park.
Cousins’ popular character, the white mouse Maisy, is on an outdoor adventure in this new addition to the Maisy First Experiences series. She and her friends—Tallulah the chick, Charley the crocodile, Cyril the squirrel, and Eddie the elephant—visit a pond and build a fort, then end their day with a picnic. Cousins’ appealing illustrations feature the bold colors and heavy black lines that have become a trademark of her Maisy books. The text invites reader participation, asking questions like “Who can you see?” to encourage children to look for animals in a woodland scene. Children will want to linger on certain pages, looking at all of the critters that fill the pond and the insects hiding beneath logs and leaves. None of the organisms are labeled, which may disappoint some readers, and a few of them—like a blue beetle-looking bug—can be ambiguous. For adults seeking books that show children how to explore nature respectfully, this doesn’t fit the bill: Tallulah picks daisies, and the fauna are not left undisturbed, both of which are generally frowned upon in nature parks where observation only is key. That said, this succeeds as a picture book that positively encourages adventuring in the great outdoors. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A basic introduction to nature exploration that’s nice enough but nothing remarkable. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: April 12, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5362-2424-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
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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