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WHERE DO YOU SLEEP, LITTLE ONE?

Name: WHERE DO YOU SLEEP, LITTLE ONE?
Author: Patricia Hooper
ISBN: 0-8234-1668-2

by Patricia Hooper & illustrated by John Winch ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 15, 2001

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A series of questions and answers couched in rhymed couplets investigates the resting places of a succession of wild and domestic animals, ranging from the chipmunk to the wren, to the pony, goat, and sheep in this gentle bedtime story. “Little spider on the wall, / Tell me, do you sleep at all? / When the stars light up the skies, / I weave a cradle, just my size.” The language is soft and sibilant, like a lullaby. Even though danger lurks outside, each animal has a place of refuge. The unusual artwork, with unifying motifs of embossed monochromatic eucalyptus leaves and detailed insects, was made with oil paint on prepared, French, handmade Arches paper. The animals were cut out, arranged in layers, and then photographed against embossed backgrounds. Although some of the animals verge on cuteness, the predominant visual impression is one of natural textures. The cover and the title prefigure the ending, revealed in pictures only, where the animals gather around a stable, a white cloth radiating light from a manger, a resting place for one unseen child. The harmonious art, gentle verses, and comforting yet mysterious view of nature should make this a nursery favorite. (Picture book. 2-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2001

ISBN: 0-8234-1668-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Holiday House

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2001

Categories:

CHILDREN'S POETRY

- BOOK REVIEW
A STORMY RIDE ON NOAH’S ARK
by Patricia Hooper & illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

- BOOK REVIEW
HOW THE SKY'S HOUSEKEEPER WORE HER SCARVES
by Patricia Hooper & illustrated by Susan L. Roth

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DIGGER, DOZER, DUMPER

by Hope Vestergaard ; illustrated by David Slonim ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 27, 2013

While there are many rhyming truck books out there, this stands out for being a collection of poems.

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Rhyming poems introduce children to anthropomorphized trucks of all sorts, as well as the jobs that they do.

Adorable multiethnic children are the drivers of these 16 trucks—from construction equipment to city trucks, rescue vehicles and a semi—easily standing in for readers, a point made very clear on the final spread. Varying rhyme schemes and poem lengths help keep readers’ attention. For the most part, the rhymes and rhythms work, as in this, from “Cement Mixer”: “No time to wait; / he can’t sit still. / He has to beg your pardon. / For if he dawdles on the way, / his slushy load will harden.” Slonim’s trucks each sport an expressive pair of eyes, but the anthropomorphism stops there, at least in the pictures—Vestergaard sometimes takes it too far, as in “Bulldozer”: “He’s not a bully, either, / although he’s big and tough. / He waits his turn, plays well with friends, / and pushes just enough.” A few trucks’ jobs get short shrift, to mixed effect: “Skid-Steer Loader” focuses on how this truck moves without the typical steering wheel, but “Semi” runs with a royalty analogy and fails to truly impart any knowledge. The acrylic-and-charcoal artwork, set against white backgrounds, keeps the focus on the trucks and the jobs they are doing.

While there are many rhyming truck books out there, this stands out for being a collection of poems. (Picture book/poetry. 3-6)

Pub Date: Aug. 27, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-7636-5078-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: May 28, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2013

Categories:

CHILDREN'S POETRY | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
POTTY ANIMALS
by Hope Vestergaard and illustrated by Valeria Petrone

- BOOK REVIEW
I DON’T WANT TO CLEAN MY ROOM
by Hope Vestergaard & illustrated by Carol Koeller

- BOOK REVIEW
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN A MONSTER SAYS BOO?
by Hope Vestergaard & illustrated by Maggie Smith

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AMOR IS TO LOVE YOU

From the Canticos series

by Susie Jaramillo ; illustrated by Susie Jaramillo ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 8, 2022

A testament to the universality of love.

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An expanded explanation of love in both English and Spanish.

Several animal personalities pose the question, “What is love?” and in a series of lift-the-flap responses present various emotional scenarios. Little Elephant asks Spider, “Is it the joy of having you around?” Spider asks, “Is it the way you lift me when I’m down?” Each page corresponds to a flap that reveals one of a multitude of feelings love can evoke in either an English or Spanish rhyme, which are not direct translations of each other. An interspersed refrain notes, “Amor for the Spanish, / and love en inglés. / Love in any language / always means the same.” A palette of pastels and purple and pink hues dominate as hearts abound on each page, surrounding the characters, who are adorable though on the overly sweet side. The characters are from the bilingual preschool series Canticos, though it will work even among those without knowledge of the show. Children more fluent in Spanish will be better able to appreciate this, and those familiar with the show will recognize the signature characters, including “Los Pollitos” (Little Chickies). (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A testament to the universality of love. (Board book. 3-6)