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GUESS WHO'S HIDING ON THE FARM?

Name: GUESS WHO'S HIDING ON THE FARM?
Author: Ashley Rideout
ISBN: 978-1-4867-0615-0

From the Silly Stitches series

by Ashley Rideout ; illustrated by Ivana Forgo ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2016

The back-of-the-book blurb declares that it’s “an awesome game”; just saying something’s awesome doesn't make it so.

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A barnyard seek-and-find for toddlers.

Each busy double-page spread hides a number of animals—none of whom bear much resemblance to their namesakes in the real world. Instead, they are stylized, cutesy collage creations outlined in stitch patterns, resembling stuffed patchwork animals more than anything else. Although a counting book that goes from one through five should be simple, this one isn’t, skipping from “three” to “five” abruptly: “You found Cow, and Pig, and Bunny! / They knew they could count on you! / How many friends are hiding now? / FOUR?...No, FIVE! It's true!” Skipping over “four” will only confuse young children, who are already challenged by the concept of one-to-one correspondence. The back of the book tells readers they will be helping Silly Stitches with the counting, and it’s unclear which animal—if any—is Silly Stitches, since that character is never specified within the text. These weaknesses are repeated in the second Silly Stitches book, Guess Who's Hiding in the Forest, published simultaneously. Tactile elements, glitter, and shiny highlights are not enough to redeem either title.

The back-of-the-book blurb declares that it’s “an awesome game”; just saying something’s awesome doesn't make it so. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-4867-0615-0

Page Count: 10

Publisher: Flowerpot Press

Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

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SPOOKY POOKIE

by Sandra Boynton ; illustrated by Sandra Boynton ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 7, 2015

A pleasant holiday spent with a perfectly charming character.

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One of Boynton's signature characters celebrates Halloween.

It's Halloween time, and Pookie the pig is delighted. Mom helps the little porker pick out the perfect Halloween costume, a process that spans the entire board book. Using an abcb rhyme scheme, Boynton dresses Pookie in a series of cheerful costumes, including a dragon, a bunny, and even a caped superhero. Pookie eventually settles on the holiday classic, a ghost, by way of a bedsheet. Boynton sprinkles in amusing asides to her stanzas as Pookie offers costume commentary ("It's itchy"; "It's hot"; "I feel silly"). Little readers will enjoy the notion of transforming themselves with their own Halloween costumes while reading this book, and a few parents may get some ideas as well. Boynton's clean, sharp illustrations are as good as ever. This is Pookie's first holiday title, but readers will surely welcome more.

A pleasant holiday spent with a perfectly charming character. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: July 7, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-553-51233-5

Page Count: 18

Publisher: Robin Corey/Random

Review Posted Online: July 26, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- 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)