A decent, durable first Halloween book.
Halloween gets the touchy-feely treatment in this simple, textured introduction to the holiday.
Stock photos, elementary artwork, glitter, fur, foil, and unrhymed text give baby an uncomplicated introduction to some familiar sights of late October. What this book lacks in artistic inspiration it may make up in practical utility; it’s meant to be touched, and it’s built to withstand rough handling. The cover photo, a jack-o’-lantern, is soft and squishy, and the pages are stiff and sturdy—easily turned but tough to tear, crease, or remove. Images are Halloween-themed but not frightening. A cute, black kitten peers over a carved pumpkin with a friendly grin that invites young fingers to trace its features: “Peekaboo! It’s Halloween.” On the next page, “Kitty says, ‘Meow!’ ” and children can touch its soft fur. A two-page spread features a toy witch stirring a cauldron of potion and then a close-up of her sticky, green brew. The potion’s tacky texture is an interesting tactile experience, but the wisdom of encouraging children to touch the side of the witch’s cooking vessel on the preceding page seems questionable. The toy witch and wizard look white, but two real-life trick-or-treaters (a wizard and a witch) are children of color. Bats, the moon, candy, a treat bucket, an owl, and the kitten in a witch’s hat also appear.
A decent, durable first Halloween book. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4654-6235-0
Page Count: 14
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: Sept. 30, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2018
Exactly what readers want and expect from the board-book master.
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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)
Pub Date: Aug. 19, 2014
ISBN: 978-0451469786
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2015
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BOOK REVIEW
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