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IF YOU'RE SPOOKY AND YOU KNOW IT

Name: IF YOU'RE SPOOKY AND YOU KNOW IT
Author: Aly Fronis
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0165-1

by Aly Fronis ; illustrated by Jannie Ho ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 26, 2016

A delightfully creepy spin on an old favorite.

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The classic movement song gets a thrilling twist.

Nearly every child in America knows the song “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” and most enjoy clapping hands, stomping feet, and spinning around to its rhythm. This board book adapts that rhythm and filters it through the creepy hues of Halloween. Verses include “If you’re spooky and you know, it clap your hands,” “If you’re naughty and you know it, snap your fingers,” and “If you’re hairy and you know it, jump up and down!” Each verse is accompanied by an illustration of different traditional Halloween monsters, including vampires, werewolves, and mummies, getting in on the fun. It’s unclear whether the double-page spreads include multiple iterations of one monster or several separate, identical monsters. Little readers who are developmentally inclined to believe the latter may be confused when they reach the final double-page spread, which features one each of all the adorable monsters at one big Halloween party dancing together. The illustrations are colored with the usual green, purple, and orange–heavy scheme most Halloween books employ. Adults looking for an amusing way to introduce small children to the tricks and treats of Halloween will find this mostly fills the bill.

A delightfully creepy spin on an old favorite. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: July 26, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-4998-0165-1

Page Count: 16

Publisher: Little Bee Books

Review Posted Online: Aug. 1, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S POETRY | CHILDREN'S PARANORMAL & SUPERNATURAL

- BOOK REVIEW
THIS LITTLE TURKEY
by Aly Fronis ; illustrated by Migy Blanco

- BOOK REVIEW
THIS LITTLE BUNNY
by Aly Fronis ; illustrated by Sanja Rešček

- BOOK REVIEW
KISSES AND CUDDLES
by Aly Fronis ; illustrated by Fhiona Galloway

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POOKIE'S THANKSGIVING

From the Little Pookie series

by Sandra Boynton ; illustrated by Sandra Boynton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 6, 2022

Exactly what readers want and expect from the board-book master.

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Pookie and family celebrate Thanksgiving.

Boynton’s precocious little pig is back in this holiday installment. The family gets ready for Thanksgiving by baking pies, welcoming Nemmy and Boppa for dinner, and sharing gratitude (and pie!). Boynton’s familiar rhyming text and simple, thick-lined illustrations are exactly what readers have come to expect from this series: Pookie is a little silly, the story bounces along, and the artwork is warm and cozy. Though most of the action takes place inside, the passage of day is clear through the window, from daylight to the setting sun. Decorations and a tree with just a few leaves on it indicate the autumnal season. There are two pages where numbers are called out, presented differently from the rest of the typeface (Pookie and their parents prepare apple pie and one pumpkin pie, and there will be five guests at dinner). The only bolded digits are one and five, even though the text does mention that there will be a total of two pies—a stylistic choice that seems to point readers to counting practice but that feels a bit random. Overall, though, this is a worthy new story about one of Boynton’s most beloved characters. True to form, it’s a toddler-friendly read, providing context for the festivities and a sweet representation of gratitude. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Exactly what readers want and expect from the board-book master. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-66592-263-0

Page Count: 18

Publisher: Boynton Bookworks

Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
HIPPOS REMAIN CALM
by Sandra Boynton ; illustrated by Sandra Boynton

- BOOK REVIEW
WOO HOO! YOU'RE DOING GREAT!
by Sandra Boynton ; illustrated by Sandra Boynton

- BOOK REVIEW
HAPPY EASTER, LITTLE POOKIE
by Sandra Boynton ; illustrated by Sandra Boynton

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LLAMA LLAMA TRICK OR TREAT

From the Llama Llama series

by Anna Dewdney ; illustrated by Anna Dewdney ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 19, 2014

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In this board book designed for the littlest llama lovers, adorable-as-ever Llama Llama (Llama Llama Red Pajama, 2005, etc.) gets ready for some Halloween fun.

Dewdney’s characteristic spare, apt rhymes convey a lot of action in effortlessly readable fashion. A charming and simple introduction to Halloween and its associated activities, this title finds little Llama Llama choosing and carving a pumpkin, pouring candy into bowls, picking out a costume and, finally, trick-or-treating. The costume Llama Llama decides to don—pointy teeth and a black mask and cape—is enough to frighten and fool his friends but not readers, who will immediately recognize and smile at the silly little mini-Dracula. With Dewdney’s characters as expressive as ever, young readers will be drawn right into the holiday fun, eagerly anticipating which costume Llama Llama will choose and excited to see him scare his friends and score some candy at trick-or-treat. In the equally appealing companion title, Llama Llama Jingle Bells,the little fellow gets ready for Christmas, baking and decorating some cookies in anticipation of Santa’s arrival. This simple holiday title will win Llama Llama new fans, and old friends will want to add it and its companion to their collections. (Board book. 1-2)