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PANCAKES WITH GRANDMA

Name: PANCAKES WITH GRANDMA
Author: Kathryn Smith
ISBN: 978-1-68010-623-7

by Kathryn Smith ; illustrated by Seb Braun ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 3, 2020

A dash of mystery and a spoonful of seek-and-find make for a heap of fun.

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Little Bunny and Grandma go on an ingredient-finding adventure to make a surprise breakfast.

With several flaps to lift and doors and windows to open, the book invites readers along on the hunt for cooking supplies for a mystery breakfast. Each two-page spread poses a specific question directed to readers, such as “Can you find some delicious berries?” The berries are revealed after looking behind an upside-down flowerpot, pulling back the leaves on a tree, and peeking inside a basket. Each scene includes some flaps that hide objects other than what the bunnies are looking for (as in a dozing mouse beneath that flowerpot). Toddlers and preschoolers will get such a thrill out of this “game.” They’ll also get to use their predictive pre-reading skills and use context clues when the culminating question—“Can you guess what the bunnies made?”—is finally answered. The bunnies are adorable, as is the attention to detail. A tiny cookbook on the kitchen table titled Breakfast for Bunnies, by Bunny Oliver (which actually opens!), cleverly reappears throughout the book. At the very end, it is shown large-scale with an actual recipe to try. Smith and Braun’s simultaneously publishing Picnic With Mommy is similar in format, although it’s missing the fun of the central mystery that propels this book along. With the fun of discovering what lies behind each flap, the joy of playing with Little Bunny, and a simple real-life recipe, this one is sure to be enjoyed.

A dash of mystery and a spoonful of seek-and-find make for a heap of fun. (Board book. 2-4)

Pub Date: March 3, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-68010-623-7

Page Count: 12

Publisher: Tiger Tales

Review Posted Online: March 24, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK MAKES A FRIEND
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
TIME FOR SCHOOL, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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HAPPY EASTER, LITTLE POOKIE

From the Little Pookie series

by Sandra Boynton ; illustrated by Sandra Boynton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 31, 2023

An upbeat Easter outing with a beloved character.

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Pookie celebrates Easter with a play date and holiday activities.

Pookie’s friend Bean, a gray puppy, comes over for Easter fun that includes lots of bouncing around and egg decorating. After Bean goes home, Pookie gets excited about the Easter Bunny’s arrival and goes to sleep dreaming of a large chocolate egg. Like the other Pookie books before it, this one is told in rhyme from the perspective of a loving grown-up addressing the little pig, which keeps the pace moving and makes for a great read-aloud. Bean and Pookie are realistically—and endearingly—childlike, from Pookie’s pronunciation of yellow as “lellow!” to the joyful mess they make while decorating eggs. There are plenty of sweet and festive touches, such as the bunny ears that Bean and Pookie (and Pookie’s teddy) wear and the daffodils painted on the end of Pookie’s bed. The illustrations include large, full-page images as well as smaller vignettes against solid backgrounds. One page shows Pookie and parent looking out the window at the moon, anticipating Easter’s spoils. For fans of Boynton and little Pookie, this Easter tale is exactly as expected: a touch of playfulness, a relatable story, and comfort in the familiar. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An upbeat Easter outing with a beloved character. (Board book. 2-4)