A quartet of well-meaning animals attempts to soothe a fractious infant. When baby begins to cry, a cat, dog, duck, and cow gather together to ease the troubled tot’s woes. The animals try various solutions: feeding, bathing, and playing with the baby, without success. Each attempt to console the infant is met with a chorus of animals sounds, culminating in the familiar wail. “So they played with the baby. ‘Quack!’ said the duck. ‘Bow-wow!’ said the dog. ‘Moo!’ said the cow. ‘Meow!’ said the cat, and . . . ‘BOO-HOO-HOO!’ said the baby.” Ultimately the wise old duck suggests that they put baby down to sleep for the night and soon all that is heard are the gentle snores of the child. However, the final pages offer a wry salute to weary parents and caretakers as the final illustration depicts the frazzled animals in a sleepy heap while the bright-eyed tot peeks out from his crib. Cowell’s spare prose provides readers with an introduction to several familiar animals and their calls. It is Godon’s illustrations that infuse some levity into the simple, rather slow-moving tale. The cherubic tot, with a lone curl perched atop its bald head, is an adorable watering pot, and the facial expressions of hapless animals as they bumble their way through the tale are comical. Little ones will enjoy the notion of a bevy of barnyard animals as caretakers and the repetition of the tale easily lends itself to reader participation—a perk for preschool-age audiences. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-439-15311-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2000
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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A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren.
In talk-show host Fallon and illustrator Ordóñez’s latest picture-book collaboration, an elderly pooch waxes rhapsodic about a life well lived.
Observing Papa sitting in his chair watching TV all day, a young pup says, “I’m starting to think…you don’t do ANYTHING.” So Papa proceeds to list his accomplishments, both big and small, mundane and profound. Some are just a result of being older and physically bigger (being tall enough to reach a high shelf and strong enough to open jars); others include winning a race and performing in a band when he was younger. Eventually, the pup realizes that while Papa may have slowed down in his old age, he’s led a full life. The most satisfying thing about Papa’s life now? Watching his grandchild take center stage: “I can say lots of thoughts / but I choose to be quiet. / I’d rather you discover things and then try it.” Fallon’s straightforward text is sweetly upbeat, though it occasionally lacks flow, forcing incongruous situations together to fit the rhyme scheme (“I cook and I mow, / and I once flew a plane. // I play newspaper puzzles because it’s good for my brain”). Featuring uncluttered, colorful backgrounds, Ordóñez’s child-friendly digital art at times takes on sepia tones, evoking the sense of looking back at old photos or memories. Though the creators tread familiar ground, the love between Papa and his little one is palpable.
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781250393975
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: tomorrow
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