Sweet and light—but not very enlightening.
The littlest readers are introduced to a rabbit and a bird in this board book and its companion, respectively.
A big, round die-cut hole on the cover allows readers to see the title character inside. Cheery, pastel-colored illustrations depict smiling creatures in a garden. The white rabbit informs readers (via an uncredited text), “I like to go for a walk in the garden… / …where I find crunchy vegetables!” The conclusion of the phrase is hidden behind a die-cut half-page. Peekaboo die cuts are at times used humorously, as in “My droppings are round”—readers see the brown-colored circles left behind by the rabbit. But an accurate informational book this is not. Aside from arctic rabbits, garden-variety rabbits are brown and would never allow a human to pet them on the head. Reproduction is approached in a magical way. In one spread the rabbit tells readers: “At the end of winter, I meet a pretty doe.” Turn the page, and the next spread announces: “Here are our little baby rabbits.” Bird has a similar presentation in form and illustrations as its companion. The reproduction sequence, though, is a little more elaborate: “I meet a little bird. I am in love. / I am resting in my nest. / I have laid three eggs. / My baby birds are born!”
Sweet and light—but not very enlightening. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: March 6, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68297-331-8
Page Count: 18
Publisher: QEB Publishing
Review Posted Online: Jan. 21, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A pleasant holiday spent with a perfectly charming character.
One of Boynton's signature characters celebrates Halloween.
It's Halloween time, and Pookie the pig is delighted. Mom helps the little porker pick out the perfect Halloween costume, a process that spans the entire board book. Using an abcb rhyme scheme, Boynton dresses Pookie in a series of cheerful costumes, including a dragon, a bunny, and even a caped superhero. Pookie eventually settles on the holiday classic, a ghost, by way of a bedsheet. Boynton sprinkles in amusing asides to her stanzas as Pookie offers costume commentary ("It's itchy"; "It's hot"; "I feel silly"). Little readers will enjoy the notion of transforming themselves with their own Halloween costumes while reading this book, and a few parents may get some ideas as well. Boynton's clean, sharp illustrations are as good as ever. This is Pookie's first holiday title, but readers will surely welcome more.
A pleasant holiday spent with a perfectly charming character. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: July 7, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-553-51233-5
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Robin Corey/Random
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In this board book designed for the littlest llama lovers, adorable-as-ever Llama Llama (Llama Llama Red Pajama, 2005, etc.) gets ready for some Halloween fun.
Dewdney’s characteristic spare, apt rhymes convey a lot of action in effortlessly readable fashion. A charming and simple introduction to Halloween and its associated activities, this title finds little Llama Llama choosing and carving a pumpkin, pouring candy into bowls, picking out a costume and, finally, trick-or-treating. The costume Llama Llama decides to don—pointy teeth and a black mask and cape—is enough to frighten and fool his friends but not readers, who will immediately recognize and smile at the silly little mini-Dracula. With Dewdney’s characters as expressive as ever, young readers will be drawn right into the holiday fun, eagerly anticipating which costume Llama Llama will choose and excited to see him scare his friends and score some candy at trick-or-treat. In the equally appealing companion title, Llama Llama Jingle Bells,the little fellow gets ready for Christmas, baking and decorating some cookies in anticipation of Santa’s arrival. This simple holiday title will win Llama Llama new fans, and old friends will want to add it and its companion to their collections. (Board book. 1-2)
Pub Date: Aug. 19, 2014
ISBN: 978-0451469786
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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