Tender and charming.
Thomas makes a cozy cave that attracts a small bear.
Creative and clever, Thomas uses pillows, blankets, and seat cushions for his living room hideaway. But he needs a few more items to make it perfect. When he returns to the cave, he hears bumps and thumps and discovers a bear has taken up residence. He leaves a trail of blueberries to entice the bear to leave, and it works—temporarily. Thomas tries everything he can think of that might appeal to a bear to lure it away for good. A back scratcher, some bath toys, and some honey cereal all produce the same temporary results. When Thomas manages to get into the cave to read, the bear can’t squeeze in and starts to cry. Kind Thomas takes pity, builds a larger cave, and shares it with the bear, who readers finally see is actually his adoring little brother. Pinder employs accessible, descriptive language to lead Thomas to his generous conclusion, without becoming preachy or cloying. Young readers may be surprised at the identity of the bear, but there are several visual hints and lots of delightful details to be found in Graegin’s illustrations. Glowing shades of yellow, blue, and bear-brown on a soft, light sepia background surround satisfyingly legible text. At the conclusion, little ones are given simple instructions for building their own caves.
Tender and charming. (Picture book. 2-6)Pub Date: Oct. 20, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-374-30019-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2015
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
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
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
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