Toddlers and their parents love the humor of Wells’s bestselling Max and Ruby board books and the bright, believable animal characters in her illustrations for Opie’s quintessential Mother Goose collections (My Very First Mother Goose, 1996, etc.). Younger preschoolers who are ready to move on from Max and Mother Goose will be just the right age for this short, simple, but satisfying story about a guinea pig named Felix who ate “too many chocolate blimpies and stayed up way too late,” causing the little guy to bounce on his bed with sugar-induced glee. Well, what happens when we burn the midnight oil and overindulge in unhealthy goodies? Felix doesn’t feel well in the morning, and after trying all the traditional motherly remedies (chamomile tea, fresh air, and a bowl of prunes), his mama takes him to see Dr. Duck. The little guinea pig is in that afraid-to-visit-the-doctor phase, but Dr. Duck proves to be a kindly pediatrician who fixes Felix’s tummy-ache with two spoons of “Happy Tummy” supplemented by a long nap and comforting tea and toast. Wells has created another charming anthropomorphic character with amusing expressions on his furry little face, perfectly capturing that horrid “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing” feeling. Felix’s story not only provides some subtle lessons in good health habits and coping with mild illness, but also confirms the reassuring results of a mother’s tender loving care. (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: May 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-7636-0639-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2001
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A cheery little girl and her dad plan a shopping trip, go to the grocery store (by bike), purchase ingredients and go home to make pizza for the whole family (a biracial one, in a nice touch). An enthusiastic running commentary narrates the activities, which all go smoothly and safely, with just a bit of mess. Birkett’s bright, line-and-color illustrations focus on the child and her contributions, evoking Aliki in line and mood. The narration, which seems to include both the child and her father’s dialogue without distinction, may confuse some readers slightly, but its rapid-fire enthusiasm is appealing. This entry in the Helping Hands series is joined by Clean It! (ISBN: 978-1-84643-283-6), Fix It! (ISBN: 978-1-84643-286-6) and Grow It! (ISBN: 978-1-84643-285-9). All have a thinner-than-usual page stock that suits them, appropriately, to toddlers. (Board book. 2-4)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-84643-284-2
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Child's Play
Review Posted Online: June 3, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2010
We’ll say it: a toothsome experience.
Flash those pearly whites!
Renowned poet Florian’s jaunty rhymes suggest that a hygiene ritual many children consider bothersome can be “fun! fun! fun!” Each spread features lively scenes showing kids demonstrating tooth- and mouth-cleansing techniques as well as two couplets in which the second exclamatory lines—containing a word repeated three times—rhyme with each other (“Toothpaste on the / brush! brush! brush!” “Take your time. / Don’t rush! rush! rush!”). Parents and caregivers seeking an enjoyable, stimulating way to motivate youngsters to perform this important daily task may wish to recite the rollicking verses to provide a pleasant, rhythmic, chanting “background” whenever their kids wield their toothbrushes. The colorful, energetic illustrations depict happy, wide-eyed, racially diverse small children—some with missing teeth—taking care of their oral-hygiene business with gusto. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
We’ll say it: a toothsome experience. (Board book. 2-5)Pub Date: July 5, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-4998-1340-1
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2022
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