Resist the sad puppy eyes—sturdier and more effective puppy books are available.
A book of cute puppies: hard to go wrong, right?
Extra-puffy board pages hide tactile elements for little fingers to feel in double-page spreads that illustrate contrasting characteristics. The most effective spread contrasts a “messy puppy” with a “clean puppy” (complete with shiny bath bubbles). The small (5 inches square) trim is perfect for little hands. And what could be cuter than puppies? (Maybe Kittens, the topic of a companion volume published at the same time.) Unfortunately, the diminutive size means the tactile patches are also tiny—often less than 1 inch square. Finding the furry or soft bit becomes the game. Pages with extra-subtle tactile features (such as a Westie’s nose) will be quickly skipped over before an adult can even read the minimal text aloud. Placement of some of the patches is awkward too. A black-and-white Great Dane puppy has a bone-shaped black spot that looks as though it was carved into the poor doggy’s chest. Little fingers will tear at the page to see if there is more fur hiding underneath. The tactile elements spoil what is otherwise a language-rich bundle of cuteness.
Resist the sad puppy eyes—sturdier and more effective puppy books are available. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 3, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4654-5621-2
Page Count: 14
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: June 18, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer...
Seven years after Little Pookie (2011) first appeared, this popular piglet is finally celebrating Christmas.
“Oh Pookie! Come look! It’s beginning to snow,” says a maternal-looking pig. But where did Pookie go? Past the Christmas tree, to put on a snowsuit of course. Pookie’s ever cheerful mama is willing to go out too. After all, “It’s a magical time to be walking with you.” When she observes, “Our noses are frozen. It’s time to go in,” Pookie protests in typical toddler style: “But I’m not c-c-c-cold!” The next three pages highlight indoor holiday preparations—making paper garlands, baking and decorating cookies. The rhyming text mirrors the spare illustrations. A spidery type that emulates handwriting makes it clear when Pookie is speaking. Then “the doorbell is ringing. / Our family and friends have arrived for the singing.” The second-to-last spread shows Pookie, mama, and six other pigs—and Boynton’s requisite chicken—singing (“Con brio”), “MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! AND A HAP-PY NEW YEAR!” Conveniently, this text is placed beneath the musical notation. Finally Pookie hangs a stocking and goes off to bed without any fuss, anticipating presents on Christmas morning.
The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer or an ideal Christmas Eve read to share with other little piggies. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3724-1
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Leave the hopping to Peter Cottontail and sing the original song instead.
An Easter-themed board-book parody of the traditional nursery rhyme.
Unfortunately, this effort is just as sugary and uninspired as The Itsy Bitsy Snowman, offered by the same pair in 2015. A cheerful white bunny hops through a pastel world to distribute candy and treats for Easter but spills his baskets. A hedgehog, fox, mouse, and various birds come to the bunny’s rescue, retrieving the candy, helping to devise a distribution plan, and hiding the eggs. Then magically, they all fly off in a hot air balloon as the little animals in the village emerge to find the treats. Without any apparent purpose, the type changes color to highlight some words. For very young children every word is new, so highlighting “tiny tail” or “friends” makes no sense. Although the text is meant to be sung, the words don't quite fit the rhythm of the original song. Moreover, there are not clear motions to accompany the text; without the fingerplay movements, this book has none of the satisfying verve of the traditional version.
Leave the hopping to Peter Cottontail and sing the original song instead. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-5621-0
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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