Part guessing-game and part dance, this rollicking picture book takes readers on a wild safari. Lively verses introduce young readers to several familiar jungle inhabitants; bear, monkey, elephant, leopard, and snake, while the inclusion of a vulture adds an exotic touch. Divided into two sections, the first half of the verse describes movements of an animal. “Down in the jungle where the leaves lie deep, / What can you see learning how to leap? . . .” Readers turn the page to discover the animal and the second part of the verse. “IT’S A LEOPARD / She goes leap, leap, boogie, woogie, oogie! / Leap, leap, boogie, woogie, oogie! / Leap, leap, boogie, woogie, oogie! / That’s the way she’s learning how to leap.” The song trots along at sprightly pace; however, speakers may find themselves (or at least their voices) boogie woogied out by the final animal. Harter’s brilliantly colored illustrations are an exuberant extension of the tale. Bright watercolors bring the jungle to life in a riot of vivid hues. A full-bleed, two-page spread accompanies each section of verse. Harter cleverly incorporates the featured animal, partially obscured by the greenery, into the illustration for the guessing portion of the song, providing readers with a visual clue. Her array of multicultural and differently-abled children all partake enthusiastically in the fun, as each section depicts an inquisitive child searching for and later dancing along with the featured animal. A rambunctious read-aloud that is sure to get listeners on their feet and dancing to the beat. A musical score is included. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2000
ISBN: 1-84148-094-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Barefoot Books
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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Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable.
You think you know shapes? Animals? Blend them together, and you might see them both a little differently!
What a mischievous twist on a concept book! With wordplay and a few groan-inducing puns, Neal creates connections among animals and shapes that are both unexpected and so seemingly obvious that readers might wonder why they didn’t see them all along. Of course, a “lazy turtle” meeting an oval would create the side-splitting combo of a “SLOW-VAL.” A dramatic page turn transforms a deeply saturated, clean-lined green oval by superimposing a head and turtle shell atop, with watery blue ripples completing the illusion. Minimal backgrounds and sketchy, impressionistic detailing keep the focus right on the zany animals. Beginning with simple shapes, the geometric forms become more complicated as the book advances, taking readers from a “soaring bird” that meets a triangle to become a “FLY-ANGLE” to a “sleepy lion” nonagon “YAWN-AGON.” Its companion text, Animal Colors, delves into color theory, this time creating entirely hybrid animals, such as the “GREEN WHION” with maned head and whale’s tail made from a “blue whale and a yellow lion.” It’s a compelling way to visualize color mixing, and like Animal Shapes, it’s got verve. Who doesn’t want to shout out that a yellow kangaroo/green moose blend is a “CHARTREUSE KANGAMOOSE”?
Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 27, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0534-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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