A delightful romp.
Bird’s animal friends are patient, generous, and seemingly used to his endless complaints from previous outings in Grumpy Bird, (2007) and Boo Hoo Bird (2010).
Now, as the group sets out on a hike, Bird’s tummy is rumbling, and everyone is made acutely aware of it. Of course Bird has not brought any snacks, hoping to share in the others’ bounty. But Bird turns down all their offerings. Fox’s berries are not favorites, the idea of eating Beaver’s crunchy sticks is “crazy,” Sheep’s grass is gross, Raccoon’s sandwich is yucky, and Rabbit’s carrots are just too orange to be palatable. Bird angrily scolds his friends for not packing anything he likes and, collapsing in a heap, announces that he must eat immediately. Finally, in desperation, he tries their snacks and finds them not quite as horrible as he thought. When a lovely worm is spotted, he is already quite sated, instead demanding, “Who brought me a drink?” Bird is over-the-top, self-absorbed, melodramatic, and hilarious. Tankard’s digital media–and-ink illustrations depict a menagerie of brightly colored animals outlined in heavy black and resembling the cuddliest of toys. They cavort in equally bright surroundings with just a bit of a subtle background, which turns scarlet the hungrier and angrier Bird gets. Their expressions of disbelief at Bird’s final demands are priceless.
A delightful romp. (Picture book. 2-6)Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-545-86417-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: July 1, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2016
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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