A reassuring reminder that families come in all forms.
Oddbird finds himself wishing for a family of his own.
The titular protagonist is used to being the odd one out; in Oddbird (2023), he was initially rebuffed by the other, more brightly hued birds for his gray, colorless appearance. Though he eventually makes friends, a visit to his pal Jerry’s house—filled with warmth and chattering family members—throws Oddbird’s lack of a family into stark relief. As Oddbird walks home later, he notices bird families swimming, rollerblading (with helmets), riding a tandem bike (sans helmets), flying a kite, and picnicking. On the next spread—the only one without a white background—a sad-looking Oddbird appears alone, off-center, against a deep-blue swirling background. A few weeks later, he’s about to celebrate his birthday on his own when his friends burst in with a cake. “You didn’t think you would celebrate alone, did you?” asks Jerry. Oddbird realizes that although his family may look different, it’s just as loving and supportive as the others he’s observed. This stand-alone sequel features the same brilliantly colored and textured illustrations as the first book. While Oddbird is a somewhat passive character—it’s his friends who carry the day at the end—the positive message about chosen families shines nonetheless; children who are part of nontraditional families will feel seen.
A reassuring reminder that families come in all forms. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: May 28, 2024
ISBN: 9781250864680
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024
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
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