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TEA WITH GRANDPA

Name: TEA WITH GRANDPA
Author: Barney Saltzberg
ISBN: 978-1-59643-894-1

by Barney Saltzberg ; illustrated by Barney Saltzberg ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 15, 2014

The welcome modern twist to Saltzberg’s intergenerational story is sweetly affirming for today’s far-flung families.

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A young girl and her grandpa do not let distance keep them from their daily commitment to have tea together.

Bespectacled Grandpa meets up with his curly-haired granddaughter “[e]very day at half past three” to spend time with each other. Tea is poured, stories are told, songs are sung, and much laughter is shared. Observant readers will notice the girl’s pet cat and Grandpa’s pup cavorting as the gentle vignettes go back and forth between the two characters. Pastel-hued illustrations in what look like watercolor with details drawn using fine black lines have a cheerful cartoon style. Each spread presents one page with a simple line or two of gently rhyming text opposite a vignette of either Grandpa or the little girl. Even though the background colors subtly change from green for the girl’s scenes to pale blue for the grandfather’s, few will predict the unexpected ending that increases this title’s charm and timeliness. When Grandpa says, “I’d like some muffin,” his granddaughter tells him he is “[t]oo far away.” But on the following page, they almost clink their cups together against a pink, heart-shaped background and say their goodbyes face to face…through the computer.

The welcome modern twist to Saltzberg’s intergenerational story is sweetly affirming for today’s far-flung families. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: April 15, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-59643-894-1

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Neal Porter/Roaring Brook

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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THE SMELL OF WET DOG
by Barney Saltzberg ; illustrated by Barney Saltzberg

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ARLO NEEDS GLASSES
by Barney Saltzberg ; illustrated by Barney Saltzberg

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A DELICIOUS STORY
by Barney Saltzberg ; illustrated by Barney Saltzberg

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PEANUT BUTTER & CUPCAKE

by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 29, 2014

Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school...

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The familiar theme of the challenges facing a new kid in town is given an original treatment by photographer Border in this book of photos of three-dimensional objects in a simple modeled landscape.

Peanut Butter is represented by a slice of white bread spread with the popular condiment. The other characters in the story—a hamburger with a pair of hot dogs in tow, a bowl of alphabet soup, a meatball jumping a rope of spaghetti, a carton of French fries and a pink cupcake—are represented by skillfully crafted models of these foods, anthropomorphized using simple wire construction. Rejected by each character in turn in his search for playmates, Peanut Butter discovers in the end that Jelly is his true match (not Cupcake, as the title suggests), perhaps because she is the only one who looks like him, being a slice of white bread spread with jelly. The friendly foods end up happily playing soccer together. Some parents may have trouble with the unabashedly happy depiction of carbs and American junk food (no carrots or celery sticks in this landscape), and others may find themselves troubled by the implication that friendship across difference is impossible.

Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school experiences. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: July 29, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-399-16773-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Philomel

Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
SCAREDY SNACKS!
by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border

- BOOK REVIEW
SNACK ATTACK!
by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border

- BOOK REVIEW
BIG BROTHER PEANUT BUTTER
by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border

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HOW TO CATCH A MAMASAURUS

From the How To Catch… series

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024

A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.

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Another creature is on the loose.

The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.