Fun—but less imaginative than some other bibliophilic picks.
The cast of characters from Hooray for Hat! and Hooray for Today! (2014, 2016) returns, this time cheerfully helping Turtle reunite with his favorite book.
The opening artwork sets up ongoing humor: pale-green Turtle stands, holding his brown turtle shell and tossing out various objects. The text reads: “He searched his entire house—but no book.” After ransacking an enormous pile of toys, sports equipment, and musical instruments, Turtle realizes that he may have lent his book to Zebra. Zebra has already passed the book along to Owl, and Owl to Giraffe. (Both Turtle and Zebra have male pronouns; no other animals are assigned genders in this text.) In between each friendly encounter, “HOORAY FOR BOOKS!” is repeated in large, colorful letters. Each animal offers a different book to Turtle, but he is intent on rereading his favorite. When Turtle finally retrieves his book from the bottom of Lion’s enormous pile, older readers may be disappointed that the laws of physics do not lead to total chaos but to a rather controlled toppling of tomes. In fact, despite some droll humor and the reading-positive message, the text and illustrations probably will have the greatest appeal for children who are not yet reading independently; the simple sentences and repetitions lend themselves well to reading aloud. To a struggling emergent reader, however, this excited celebration of books may feel more like coercion than encouragement.
Fun—but less imaginative than some other bibliophilic picks. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-544-74802-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: June 4, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2017
Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school...
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
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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