Not wondrous in its discoveries but sweetly encouraging of curiosity.
A Dutch and Belgian import that ventures off the farm.
Monty, a spry, blue donkey, has a fairly predictable daily routine. Every morning he chomps on grass and then makes the rounds of the farm, checking in on all of the animals. Mrs. Chicken, Mr. Horse, Wooly Sheep, and Llama Llama all love their chats with Monty. But one morning, Monty notices the gate is open, and he hears geese honking overhead. He has always wondered where the geese go every day. Curiosity gets the better of him, and he decides to follow. The geese lead him on (it must be said) a wild goose chase. But Monty has many new experiences along the way. He sees squirrels and beavers, tastes apples and berries, and splashes and splutters in a river. Luckily, he tucks some mementos into his saddle bag to share with his farmyard friends when he returns. It is no more than a journey across the meadow (endpapers show the path Monty follows), but youngsters will relate to how a small trip can seem like an epic adventure, especially when everything is new. With a snout that is slightly too big for his stubby legs and eyebrows that shoot off his face, Monty looks especially eager in Zając’s textured paintings. (This book was reviewed digitally with 8.3-by-22.8-inch double-page spreads viewed at 32.6% of actual size.)
Not wondrous in its discoveries but sweetly encouraging of curiosity. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Nov. 17, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-60537-587-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clavis
Review Posted Online: Sept. 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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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