by Alexandra Boiger ; illustrated by Alexandra Boiger ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2018
Simple and emotionally resonant.
A much-anticipated, carefully planned outing turns into what seems to be a disaster for two close friends.
Max is depicted as a brown-haired, sweet-faced white child, big enough to ride a two-wheel bike, while Marla looks like a small gray-and-white barn owl. Boiger’s partly Photoshopped ink-and-watercolor art depicts interior moments and landscapes in gentle hues of green, blue, and gray. The pair plans a first-of-spring outing with a picnic: potato salad, cheese and baguette, “and Grandma’s special cake: a gugelhupf”—mixed and baked by Max with some extra breaking of eggs. Max pedals the bike, and Marla, sporting a wide-brimmed hat, perches in the basket—everything’s off to a good start. When Max goes to gather flowers and Marla falls asleep, however, a scurry of squirrels help themselves to the picnic. Though Max is upset, perhaps even angry, readers are given room to interpret and understand how each character feels: “Marla and Max don’t feel like staying any longer. They don’t even want to look at each other.” Even very young children will recognize the way that expectations can rush out in front of an experience and contribute to disappointment. A nighttime picnic on the bedroom floor is cozy and friendly—and a saving moment for the friendship.
Simple and emotionally resonant. (Picture book. 2-6)Pub Date: March 27, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-399-17505-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: Dec. 10, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2018
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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.
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
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by Marilyn Sadler ; illustrated by Stephanie Laberis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 13, 2024
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
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