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
A pleasant holiday spent with a perfectly charming character.
One of Boynton's signature characters celebrates Halloween.
It's Halloween time, and Pookie the pig is delighted. Mom helps the little porker pick out the perfect Halloween costume, a process that spans the entire board book. Using an abcb rhyme scheme, Boynton dresses Pookie in a series of cheerful costumes, including a dragon, a bunny, and even a caped superhero. Pookie eventually settles on the holiday classic, a ghost, by way of a bedsheet. Boynton sprinkles in amusing asides to her stanzas as Pookie offers costume commentary ("It's itchy"; "It's hot"; "I feel silly"). Little readers will enjoy the notion of transforming themselves with their own Halloween costumes while reading this book, and a few parents may get some ideas as well. Boynton's clean, sharp illustrations are as good as ever. This is Pookie's first holiday title, but readers will surely welcome more.
A pleasant holiday spent with a perfectly charming character. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: July 7, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-553-51233-5
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Robin Corey/Random
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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