Only rudimentary as a scientific primer but delightful as a harmonious collection of details to pore over.
The same 16 inquisitive gals from The Weather Girls (2018) are now traipsing through different biomes to investigate nature.
The identical yellow slickers in the first foray turn into matching yellow safari outfits as the girls set out to explore. They see some bunnies in their own backyard, but a quick page turn places them at a beach swimming with dolphins. In swift succession they march through a rainforest and then a desert (getting some transportation help from a camel). They board a safari vehicle through the grasslands, pile into a plane to the tundra, mush a dog sled across the ice, and end up in a boat traveling to the forest. Each habitat shows a smattering of animals that vigilant readers will have to spot since the bouncy text is rather vague: “It’s time to go. / We march along. / We smile at birds / and share their song.” (In addition to the several types of birds in the accompanying rainforest scene, there are a bush baby, a gecko, a butterfly, and a spotted frog.) Some biomes are named specifically; most are more fully explained in the backmatter. (The poor rainforest is a bit lost in further discussion.) Aki’s playful art shines, showing sneaky tongues out and great big, wide grins on the diverse tots. Mischievous moments add mirth, as when one climbs the sailboat’s mast and another swings from the camel’s tail. A concluding silhouette hints at more adventures to come.
Only rudimentary as a scientific primer but delightful as a harmonious collection of details to pore over. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-62779-621-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Godwin Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2019
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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