THE QUIET CROCODILE GOES TO THE BEACH

Name: THE QUIET CROCODILE GOES TO THE BEACH
Author: Natacha Andriamirado
ISBN: 978-1-61689-801-4

by Natacha Andriamirado ; illustrated by Delphine Renon ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 2, 2019

With the attractive illustrations and design living somewhat apart from the sparse text, this functions more as a fetching...

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A beach-loving crocodile overcomes his fear of the water with the help of his animal friends in this French import.

Fossil, a flip-flop– and goggle-clad crocodile, happily carries a host of animals (and their beach paraphernalia) on his back. As the anthropomorphic animals play in both sand and water, Fossil remains motionless, as he “is scared / to go in the water.” Finally, encouraged by his friends, the trepidatious reptile finally splashes in. The artwork, done with colored pencils and a pen, showcases simple, appealing characters who are introduced by name on the end pages, including Sonny, the bunny; Moomoo, the cow; and Piggy, the pig. Patterning is used to define different skin types and fur textures, and watching the busyness that surrounds Fossil as his friends play is highly diverting. However, unlike Richard Scarry’s Busytown books—which also contain multiple, detailed vignettes per spread—aside from small beach hijinks, there is little connective tissue to propel readers forward or enhance the bare-bones storytelling. Still, some may find a place for it on the overcoming-a-fear-of-swimming bookshelf.

With the attractive illustrations and design living somewhat apart from the sparse text, this functions more as a fetching coffee-table book than a story. (Picture book. 2-4)

Pub Date: April 2, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-61689-801-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press

Review Posted Online: Jan. 14, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
THE QUIET CROCODILE
by Natacha Andriamirado ; illustrated by Delphine Renon

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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 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

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S VALENTINE
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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ANIMAL SHAPES

by Christopher Silas Neal ; illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2018

Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable.

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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)