PAT THE BUNNY

Name: PAT THE BUNNY
Author: Dorothy Kunhardt

by Dorothy Kunhardt & illustrated by Dorothy Kunhardt & developed by Random House Digital ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 13, 2011

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Pat the bunny these days and he feels just as soft as ... an iPad?

Although it doesn't have the sensory elements that made the original book unique at its publication, this app provides interactive features that are accessible and engaging for the same age group. Sensibly, the developers did not try to replicate the classic but rather extend it. Instead of touching the fuzzy bunny belly or Daddy's scratchy face, kids are given iPad-appropriate interactive opportunities accompanied by Kunhardt-style images. The narration leads readers through individual frames in which children can do such activities as pop bubbles, play peekaboo (finding a new expression each time they lift the cloth), turn out the light and even apply shaving cream to Dad's face. Kids will love the narrator's offer to do it again (and again) after each activity. Touch the bunny in the upper-right corner to access a visual menu of all the activities; once they are, touch the bunny in the lower right, and it becomes a touch-screen coloring book. Users have the option of recording their own voice reading the text, and the simple controls make this app navigable for little ones.

While adults who grew up with this book might be disappointed by the app's textural limitations, children will enjoy interacting with the familiar characters. (iPad storybook app. 2-4)

Pub Date: April 13, 2011

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Random House Digital

Review Posted Online: May 3, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2011

- BOOK REVIEW
NOW OPEN THE BOX
by Dorothy Kunhardt ; illustrated by Dorothy Kunhardt

- BOOK REVIEW
JUNKET IS NICE
by Dorothy Kunhardt ; illustrated by Dorothy Kunhardt

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK MAKES A FRIEND
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
TIME FOR SCHOOL, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S VALENTINE
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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ANIMAL SHAPES

by Christopher Silas Neal ; illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2018

Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable.

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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)