Sure to elicit laughter.
Farm animals set a unique fashion trend.
Finding a pile of clean laundry, Kitty jumps into the basket to enjoy the warmth. She finds a certain article of clothing that makes her very excited. She drapes the “coat” over her shoulders and goes for a walk around the barnyard. On the porch, she meets Dog, who asks, “What are you doing in those underpants?” Kitty insists that the garment is a coat, and Dog asks to wear it, too. Dog piles into the underpants, and the two of them meet Pig, Rooster, and Cow, and the cycle repeats itself, causing the garment to stretch out further and further each time another animal joins the coat-wearing huddle. Finally, Bird squeezes in, causing Cow to sneeze, and everyone is forcibly ejected from their tightknit group. The animals accept that their fun is over, and Kitty brings the (very stretched) underpants back to the farmhouse. In the author’s note, Sauer states that this story is inspired by Jan Brett’s The Mitten (1989), which in turn is based on a Ukrainian tale. This much sillier variation centers on a pair of standard white briefs and employs a setting similar to Sauer’s childhood home. Cull’s illustrations resemble a kooky comic strip, perfect for Sauer’s goofy humor. The only human character, the farmer, is light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Sure to elicit laughter. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-338-74027-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2022
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
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