BABY, COME AWAY

Name: BABY, COME AWAY
Author: Victoria Adler
ISBN: 978-0-374-30480-5

by Victoria Adler & illustrated by David Walker ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 8, 2011

Sweet but not stellar—stick with Adler’s earlier success, All of Baby, Nose to Toes, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata (2009).

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A bird, cat, dog and fish take turns inviting Baby (who looks more like a toddler) to “come away.”

Each creature wants Baby to participate in its favorite activities—both real and slightly fantastical. Bird chirps, “Let’s fly up high / To my nest / In the sky / Where the green leaves rustle / And the clouds drift by,” whereas Fish promises, “We’ll dance in a ring / In the deep, deep sea / With a toe tap, finger snap, circle on the sand. / An octopus will take your hand.” Adler’s rhyming text includes opportunities for young ones to pretend to munch a worm, sip some milk, chew a bone and twirl in the sea. Unfortunately the cadence occasionally misses a beat. Walker, however, ably keeps pace with Baby’s adventures and provides colorful depictions of the playful action with just the right amount of detail for the very young to enjoy. Every animal has a welcome smile and delights in Baby’s company. But at the end of the day mother is ready with open arms for Baby to “Come back to me.” She scoops up her weary one and puts Baby to bed. The final spread shows bird, cat, dog and fish keeping watch over their dear playmate.

Sweet but not stellar—stick with Adler’s earlier success, All of Baby, Nose to Toes, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata (2009). (Picture book. 2-4)

Pub Date: Nov. 8, 2011

ISBN: 978-0-374-30480-5

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Review Posted Online: Sept. 6, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2011

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
ALL OF BABY, NOSE TO TOES
by Victoria Adler and illustrated by Hiroe Nakata

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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 AND RACER RED
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- 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

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HAPPY EASTER, LITTLE POOKIE

From the Little Pookie series

by Sandra Boynton ; illustrated by Sandra Boynton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 31, 2023

An upbeat Easter outing with a beloved character.

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Pookie celebrates Easter with a play date and holiday activities.

Pookie’s friend Bean, a gray puppy, comes over for Easter fun that includes lots of bouncing around and egg decorating. After Bean goes home, Pookie gets excited about the Easter Bunny’s arrival and goes to sleep dreaming of a large chocolate egg. Like the other Pookie books before it, this one is told in rhyme from the perspective of a loving grown-up addressing the little pig, which keeps the pace moving and makes for a great read-aloud. Bean and Pookie are realistically—and endearingly—childlike, from Pookie’s pronunciation of yellow as “lellow!” to the joyful mess they make while decorating eggs. There are plenty of sweet and festive touches, such as the bunny ears that Bean and Pookie (and Pookie’s teddy) wear and the daffodils painted on the end of Pookie’s bed. The illustrations include large, full-page images as well as smaller vignettes against solid backgrounds. One page shows Pookie and parent looking out the window at the moon, anticipating Easter’s spoils. For fans of Boynton and little Pookie, this Easter tale is exactly as expected: a touch of playfulness, a relatable story, and comfort in the familiar. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An upbeat Easter outing with a beloved character. (Board book. 2-4)