Informative fun.
Groups of animals demonstrate sameness and difference.
Each double-page spread presents four highly diverse, named animals, each with a note about one of its differences from the other three—and finally a sentence describing an important shared characteristic. Generally, the differences are in the same category—such as homes, methods of movement, and sounds. In the first grouping, each animal tells how it moves: the zebra says, “I gallop”; the bee says, “I fly”; the ring-tailed lemur says, “I leap”; the tiger says, “I prowl.” The spread concludes: “But look closer now….We all have STRIPES!” The “look closer now” provides a happily consistent mantra for young ears. Little ones will have fun examining the brightly colored, cartoonlike artwork, trying to figure out a common ground beyond obvious features such as mouths and eyes. Two spreads without obvious categories for the differences feel a bit off but can invite further discussion. (Perhaps the sleekness of the dolphin, the colors of the penguin, the many arms of the squid, and the spiky-ness of the puffer fish are all ways of attracting mates? The similarity is that each has flippers or fins.) The book begins with a little rhyme about differences and ends with one about how looking closely helps us realize that “we’re not as different as we first appear.” This sweet metaphor for human diversity is followed by questions for further examination of the illustrations, as well as more information about the features…featured.
Informative fun. (Informational picture book. 2-6)Pub Date: May 2, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-77138-565-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2017
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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
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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