Full of what little readers love.
A tow truck shows off their holiday preparation skills.
This Christmas board book features many different types of vehicles, but when it comes to superior decorating and merrymaking skills, the wrecker takes top prize. There are holiday puns galore here: “Boats buoy spirits / in low or yuletide.” “Taxis fare well / at making things merry.” Young readers who adore all things with wheels will be pleased to see buses, race cars, semis, and trains, among others. The wrecker really takes center stage in this story, proving helpful at stringing Christmas lights, towing Santa’s cookies, and hanging ornaments on a tree. While many of the wrecker’s jobs make sense given its build and tools, not all do. Is a wrecker really better at caroling than a train that can whistle? Still, young readers will be delighted to see the wrecker in action. The book wraps up with the expected sentiment: Christmas is about “the love that we share.” Each vehicle has eyes on their windshield and a mouth on the grill, giving them humanlike expressions. The illustrations feature familiar board-book elements such as bright colors, simple drawings, and minimal detail. This one blends child-favorite trucks with a Christmas theme; nothing here is novel or refreshing, but there’s really nothing wrong with that either. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Full of what little readers love. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5460-0226-0
Page Count: 20
Publisher: WorthyKids/Ideals
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
In this board book designed for the littlest llama lovers, adorable-as-ever Llama Llama (Llama Llama Red Pajama, 2005, etc.) gets ready for some Halloween fun.
Dewdney’s characteristic spare, apt rhymes convey a lot of action in effortlessly readable fashion. A charming and simple introduction to Halloween and its associated activities, this title finds little Llama Llama choosing and carving a pumpkin, pouring candy into bowls, picking out a costume and, finally, trick-or-treating. The costume Llama Llama decides to don—pointy teeth and a black mask and cape—is enough to frighten and fool his friends but not readers, who will immediately recognize and smile at the silly little mini-Dracula. With Dewdney’s characters as expressive as ever, young readers will be drawn right into the holiday fun, eagerly anticipating which costume Llama Llama will choose and excited to see him scare his friends and score some candy at trick-or-treat. In the equally appealing companion title, Llama Llama Jingle Bells,the little fellow gets ready for Christmas, baking and decorating some cookies in anticipation of Santa’s arrival. This simple holiday title will win Llama Llama new fans, and old friends will want to add it and its companion to their collections. (Board book. 1-2)
Pub Date: Aug. 19, 2014
ISBN: 978-0451469786
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2015
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BOOK REVIEW
The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer...
Seven years after Little Pookie (2011) first appeared, this popular piglet is finally celebrating Christmas.
“Oh Pookie! Come look! It’s beginning to snow,” says a maternal-looking pig. But where did Pookie go? Past the Christmas tree, to put on a snowsuit of course. Pookie’s ever cheerful mama is willing to go out too. After all, “It’s a magical time to be walking with you.” When she observes, “Our noses are frozen. It’s time to go in,” Pookie protests in typical toddler style: “But I’m not c-c-c-cold!” The next three pages highlight indoor holiday preparations—making paper garlands, baking and decorating cookies. The rhyming text mirrors the spare illustrations. A spidery type that emulates handwriting makes it clear when Pookie is speaking. Then “the doorbell is ringing. / Our family and friends have arrived for the singing.” The second-to-last spread shows Pookie, mama, and six other pigs—and Boynton’s requisite chicken—singing (“Con brio”), “MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! AND A HAP-PY NEW YEAR!” Conveniently, this text is placed beneath the musical notation. Finally Pookie hangs a stocking and goes off to bed without any fuss, anticipating presents on Christmas morning.
The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer or an ideal Christmas Eve read to share with other little piggies. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3724-1
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019
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