Hooray for Lil and Harry.
Where is Harry the Hog? A goofy crew of animal friends sets out to find him.
Lil, a small and multitalented mouse, has invited her dear friend Harry the Hog for a sumptuous tea. Her preparations are complete with specialties that will fill Harry with joy, though they might elicit gleeful “ew, gross” responses from young readers. After all, only a warthog would enjoy “chocolate-chip beetles and slug-flavoured chips” and other equally appalling dishes. When Harry doesn’t appear at the appointed hour, Lil sets out to find him. She meets a sheep, a deer, and a crow, each of whom has seen parts of something that, upon further thought, could have been Harry. They all push on through the deep fog until, at last, they come upon Harry, who has fallen “snout-over-trotters” into a bog. They work together to rescue him, and there’s still time for tea. Copus tells the tale in easy, breezy aabb rhyme that bounces rhythmically along, with each character’s movements given a distinct, appropriate sound in perfect sync with the cadence. Seo’s bright, inventive illustrations complement the action beautifully, convey Lil’s every emotion, and are filled with unexpected and delightful details. Lil may appear dainty, but she is intrepid and in control—very much a leader. Little readers will want to enjoy it again and again, and they’ll be happy to know that companion title The Hog, the Shrew and the Hullabaloo publishes simultaneously.
Hooray for Lil and Harry. (Picture book. 2-6)Pub Date: June 14, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-571-30721-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Review Posted Online: March 29, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it.
What happens when a robot washes up alone on an island?
“Everything was just right on the island.” Brown beautifully re-creates the first days of Roz, the protagonist of his Wild Robot novels, as she adapts to living in the natural world. A storm-tossed ship, seen in the opening just before the title page, and a packing crate are the only other human-made objects to appear in this close-up look at the robot and her new home. Roz emerges from the crate, and her first thought as she sets off up a grassy hill—”This must be where I belong”—is sweetly glorious, a note of recognition rather than conquest. Roz learns to move, hide, and communicate like the creatures she meets. When she discovers an orphaned egg—and the gosling Brightbill, who eventually hatches—her decision to be his mother seems a natural extension of her adaptation. Once he flies south for the winter, her quiet wait across seasons for his return is a poignant portrayal of separation and change. Brown’s clean, precise lines and deep, light-filled colors offer a sense of what Roz might be seeing, suggesting a place that is alive yet deeply serene and radiant. Though the book stands alone, it adds an immensely appealing dimension to Roz’s world. Round thumbnails offer charming peeks into the island world, depicting Roz’s animal neighbors and Brightbill’s maturation.
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN: 9780316669467
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
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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