A charming, energetic attention-grabber—but one that probably shouldn’t be read before bedtime.
Everything winds down at nighttime, right? Guess again.
Some creatures rouse when others snooze. This lively book, narrated in concise, rich prose, kicks off with animals who, by night, propel a voracious food chain. The chain starts with microscopic organisms and grows as increasingly larger beings prey upon smaller, weaker creatures in turn—and concludes in a full-page spread with a fierce-looking, stylized tiger reigning victorious atop the chain, depicted with prey floating within a cutaway shot of its abdomen. But, as readers discover when a young tiger-costumed child and their pajama-clad sibling appear on the pages following that scene, this book isn’t about nocturnal animals’ dining habits. It’s really about what children desire as night falls—to assert dominance over sleep, i.e., to cajole parents into extra romps and snuggles before bed. Youngsters will easily relate to that notion and will be captivated by the energetic, fanciful illustrations—created with gouache, watercolor, ink, colored pencil, and oil pastel—that explode in a dazzling array of colors as the creatures devour each other. The text plays with fonts, incorporating imaginative type settings throughout, enhancing visual interest. However, the juxtaposition between the dynamic scenes portraying the nighttime feeding frenzy and those depicting the children’s rambunctious sleep-delaying tactics might prove jarring, though the tiger is shown finally settling down, too. The family is tan-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A charming, energetic attention-grabber—but one that probably shouldn’t be read before bedtime. (facts about the animals named in the book) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 28, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-37429-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House Studio
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
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