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TALL

Name: TALL
Author: Jez Alborough
ISBN: 0-7636-2784-4

by Jez Alborough & illustrated by Jez Alborough ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2005

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The lovable chimp, Bobo, of the wilds of Africa and previous title Hug (2000), returns with a desire to be taller than his small stature permits. First standing on top of a rock, his buddies—frog, lion cub, elephant calf and giraffe—help him successively reach greater heights by allowing him to stand on their shoulders or heads. When giraffe’s horned head proves to be a bit too high and unsteady, Bobo wobbles and falls down to Mommy’s waiting and loving arms. Two dominant alternating words, “small/tall,” build to the climatic three word finale, “fall/Bobo/Mommy.” The practically wordless text offers a dramatic scenario of consecutive views with large gouache and marker-pen jungle scenes in greens and pale orange/yellows. Expressive animal caricatures depict the emotions and desires of this cause-and-effect sequence story representing the wish of every child to be as big or as tall as his surrounding older siblings and friends. Endearingly simple and effective for the youngest. (Picture book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005

ISBN: 0-7636-2784-4

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2005

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

- BOOK REVIEW
BILLY THE GOAT'S BIG BREAKFAST
by Jez Alborough ; illustrated by Jez Alborough

- BOOK REVIEW
NAT THE CAT'S SUNNY SMILE
by Jez Alborough ; illustrated by Jez Alborough

- BOOK REVIEW
THE GOBBLE GOBBLE MOOOOOOO TRACTOR BOOK
by Jez Alborough & illustrated by Jez Alborough

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SMILE, POUT-POUT FISH

by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 7, 2014

An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to.

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This simplified version of Diesen and Hanna’s The Pout-Pout Fish (2008) is appropriate for babies and toddlers.

Brief, rhyming text tells the story of a sullen fish cheered up with a kiss. A little pink sea creature pokes his head out of a hole in the sea bottom to give the gloomy fish some advice: “Smile, Mr. Fish! / You look so down // With your glum-glum face / And your pout-pout frown.” He explains that there’s no reason to be worried, scared, sad or mad and concludes: “How about a smooch? / And a cheer-up wish? // Now you look happy: / What a smile, Mr. Fish!” Simple and sweet, this tale offers the lesson that sometimes, all that’s needed for a turnaround in mood is some cheer and encouragement to change our perspective. The clean, uncluttered illustrations are kept simple, except for the pout-pout fish’s features, which are delightfully expressive. Little ones will easily recognize and likely try to copy the sad, scared and angry looks that cross the fish’s face.

An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-374-37084-8

Page Count: 12

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
THE WORRY-WORRY WHALE MADE 32 MISTAKES
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

- BOOK REVIEW
THE WORRY-WORRY WHALE AND THE CLASSROOM JITTERS
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

- BOOK REVIEW
POUT-POUT FISH
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

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LLAMA LLAMA SHAPES

From the Learning With Llama Llama series

developed by Anna Dewdney ; illustrated by JT Morrow ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 7, 2023

An invitation for readers to learn through observation.

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Llama Llama and Mama spot different shapes at the farmers market.

Dewdney’s iconic llama stars in this board book, a part of the Learning With Llama Llama series. The story showcases five shapes: rectangles, squares, triangles, circles, and stars. Rather than simply showing the shapes and naming them, illustrator Morrow embeds them inside scenes from the farmers market. Each page turn uncovers a different shape. Signage and a shopping bag pop as rectangles, while umbrellas, a slice of watermelon, and the peaks of the tents form triangles. Shapes that appeared on previous pages are visible even as the story progresses, and the final page helps readers revisit and recall shapes they’ve already found. There are plenty of engaging details to keep readers looking, including other animal shoppers, kite-flying, and sudden, surprising rain. The text is concise, and each spread features a simple question inviting participation. This title is more captivating than other shape concept books, especially those that show block-colored shapes without context. Llama Llama’s popularity will make this a hit with fans, and readers looking for substance will find it. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An invitation for readers to learn through observation. (Board book. 1-3)