These cute dogs and kids don’t break any new ground in the crowded field of dog-themed books for children.
A chronological collection of 30 short poems follows four canine pals and their young owners through a calendar year, in an earnest but uneven effort that tries too hard to please, rather like an overly enthusiastic Labrador.
The dogs and their owners enjoy seasonal activities and holiday celebrations over the year, with outdoor play in snow and sand and participation in obedience classes, a dog show and a parade. The poems are written in first person with one of the four dogs as narrator, and it is sometimes unclear which dog is speaking when all four dogs are shown in the illustration. The poetic formats are pleasingly varied in length and rhyme scheme and include a few gems such as haiku and parallel introductory and concluding poems. While some poems are sharply focused and cleverly rhymed, others don’t scan exactly or use rhyming pairs that stretch too far (don’tcha / won’tcha). Busy, detailed illustrations follow the poems closely, depicting humorous interactions among the four dogs and cheery views of the four children who own the dogs. The illustration for a St. Patrick’s Day poem includes an oddly prominent wall plaque with a famous Irish phrase of welcome, but there is no translation to help readers.
These cute dogs and kids don’t break any new ground in the crowded field of dog-themed books for children. (Picture book/poetry. 3-6)Pub Date: March 15, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3715-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 3, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2012
While there are many rhyming truck books out there, this stands out for being a collection of poems.
Rhyming poems introduce children to anthropomorphized trucks of all sorts, as well as the jobs that they do.
Adorable multiethnic children are the drivers of these 16 trucks—from construction equipment to city trucks, rescue vehicles and a semi—easily standing in for readers, a point made very clear on the final spread. Varying rhyme schemes and poem lengths help keep readers’ attention. For the most part, the rhymes and rhythms work, as in this, from “Cement Mixer”: “No time to wait; / he can’t sit still. / He has to beg your pardon. / For if he dawdles on the way, / his slushy load will harden.” Slonim’s trucks each sport an expressive pair of eyes, but the anthropomorphism stops there, at least in the pictures—Vestergaard sometimes takes it too far, as in “Bulldozer”: “He’s not a bully, either, / although he’s big and tough. / He waits his turn, plays well with friends, / and pushes just enough.” A few trucks’ jobs get short shrift, to mixed effect: “Skid-Steer Loader” focuses on how this truck moves without the typical steering wheel, but “Semi” runs with a royalty analogy and fails to truly impart any knowledge. The acrylic-and-charcoal artwork, set against white backgrounds, keeps the focus on the trucks and the jobs they are doing.
While there are many rhyming truck books out there, this stands out for being a collection of poems. (Picture book/poetry. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 27, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5078-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 28, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A testament to the universality of love.
An expanded explanation of love in both English and Spanish.
Several animal personalities pose the question, “What is love?” and in a series of lift-the-flap responses present various emotional scenarios. Little Elephant asks Spider, “Is it the joy of having you around?” Spider asks, “Is it the way you lift me when I’m down?” Each page corresponds to a flap that reveals one of a multitude of feelings love can evoke in either an English or Spanish rhyme, which are not direct translations of each other. An interspersed refrain notes, “Amor for the Spanish, / and love en inglés. / Love in any language / always means the same.” A palette of pastels and purple and pink hues dominate as hearts abound on each page, surrounding the characters, who are adorable though on the overly sweet side. The characters are from the bilingual preschool series Canticos, though it will work even among those without knowledge of the show. Children more fluent in Spanish will be better able to appreciate this, and those familiar with the show will recognize the signature characters, including “Los Pollitos” (Little Chickies). (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A testament to the universality of love. (Board book. 3-6)Pub Date: Nov. 8, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-945635-72-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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