Confirmed train fans should check out true informational train books at 625.2; for toddlers, stick with age-appropriate...
Fans of Thomas the Tank Engine may be tempted by this busy, lift-the-flap board book.
It’s an ambitious one—perhaps too ambitious. Of the five trains shown, four are either antiquated or highly specialized; only the passenger train will be recognized by young rail riders. On each double-page spread, four to six lines of informational text lead to a question, with the answer to be found under the flaps. Unfortunately the game is not straightforward. Sometimes lifting a flap provides further information, but other flaps pose unrelated questions that will distract young children. For example, on the spread about the long-distance passenger train, a tab at the front of the train hides pictures of sports equipment and asks readers, “What is your favorite sport?” A large tab on the rodeo train reveals a horse with its tack and a very wordy seek-and-find game. The tiny and thin lift-the-flap tabs are difficult for small fingers to manipulate. Each train is populated by doll-like figures with a mix of skin tones. All but one of the engineers is male, though they do appear to be racially diverse. Older readers who can already answer many of the questions posed will be put off by the board-book format.
Confirmed train fans should check out true informational train books at 625.2; for toddlers, stick with age-appropriate classics by Donald Crews or Byron Barton. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-545-90768-2
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Aug. 29, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
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
Especially for fans of big trucks and machinery.
When hard work needs to get done, who’re you gonna call?
Young construction-vehicle mavens will enjoy this fun romp that takes them through a cheery bright-orange excavator’s typical workday: crushing garbage and loading it into a dump truck; helping with the installation of a new water pipe after the old one broke and spewed water through a city street; and digging a deep, wide hole in which to plant the mayor’s new tree. Through all these tough, painstaking tasks, the excavator “wears” an ever present smiling face, headlights standing in for large, bright eyes. Jaunty verses that mostly read and scan well narrate the brisk proceedings, and listeners are likely to want to chime in whenever the excavator’s assistance is called for in refrains such as “We need you, Orange Excavator!”—set in orange type, of course. The unfamiliar word excavator in itself should excite little ones because of its length, juicy mouth feel, and aural appeal. Kids will also appreciate the lively, though generic, illustrations; enhancing visual interest are several words throughout set in larger, colored capitals. The excavator’s driver is brown-skinned; other workers and passersby are diverse in skin tone and age. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Especially for fans of big trucks and machinery. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Aug. 23, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-20240-1
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2022
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