by Elana Azose ; illustrated by Monica Garofalo ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024
Proof that well-meant help, whether in big or small doses, is always appreciated, rain or shine.
When a storm of biblical proportions looms, who will help Noah?
Noah gathers the animals together to announce that “a big rain is coming” and that he’ll build an ark for their safety. Lionel, a diminutive hedgehog, immediately offers his assistance. Noah dismisses Lionel (he’s too small to help, Noah claims) and says that he’ll seek help from the bears. Next morning, Noah doesn’t know how to alert the animals who live far away. “Already taken care of!” declares Lionel. Dolores, his hedgehog partner, sent them invitations. And so it goes: Noah repeatedly rejects help from Lionel and Dolores—sort of party planners/cruise directors. Happily, some animals pitch in with the ark building, but the labor doesn’t make them forget they’re hungry predators. Guess who forestalls that crisis—and also prevents the ark from overturning in giant waves? When the rain finally stops and the ark reaches dry land, Noah admits the hedgehogs have saved the day, sending readers the important message that even the smallest of creatures can be a huge help, especially when friends are in a jam. This new take on the Noah story will be welcome to those familiar with the tale and newcomers alike for its freshness and flashes of modern humor, particularly in the colorful, rollicking illustrations. All characters are expressive. Noah is light-skinned.
Proof that well-meant help, whether in big or small doses, is always appreciated, rain or shine. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728486826
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kar-Ben
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
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by Elana Azose & Brandon Amancio ; illustrated by David Clark
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2025
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
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New York Times Bestseller
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
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by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry
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by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph
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by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph
by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Steve Jenkins ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 18, 2014
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers.
Echoing the meter of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Ward uses catchy original rhymes to describe the variety of nests birds create.
Each sweet stanza is complemented by a factual, engaging description of the nesting habits of each bird. Some of the notes are intriguing, such as the fact that the hummingbird uses flexible spider web to construct its cup-shaped nest so the nest will stretch as the chicks grow. An especially endearing nesting behavior is that of the emperor penguin, who, with unbelievable patience, incubates the egg between his tummy and his feet for up to 60 days. The author clearly feels a mission to impart her extensive knowledge of birds and bird behavior to the very young, and she’s found an appealing and attractive way to accomplish this. The simple rhymes on the left page of each spread, written from the young bird’s perspective, will appeal to younger children, and the notes on the right-hand page of each spread provide more complex factual information that will help parents answer further questions and satisfy the curiosity of older children. Jenkins’ accomplished collage illustrations of common bird species—woodpecker, hummingbird, cowbird, emperor penguin, eagle, owl, wren—as well as exotics, such as flamingoes and hornbills, are characteristically naturalistic and accurate in detail.
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers. (author’s note, further resources) (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 18, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4424-2116-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2014
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by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Robin Page
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by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Alexander Vidal
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by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Lisa Congdon
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