A peculiar poem about being peckish.
This little squirrel is hungry enough to eat a….
The feeder is empty. The yard seems barren, too. The squirrel says, “I’m so hungry I’ll…eat a warm roll, popcorn in a bowl, one plate of steamed rice, two chocolate mice….” This ravenous rodent could eat cheese or peas. Very soon, the squirrel’s imagination runs away with them—the protagonist dreams of eating a fleeing “gingerbread man, a frying pan, a nasty fright, a dark and stormy night.” In the end, the squirrel seems to have found one last peanut from the feeder to satisfy their hunger. Prolific author Rosen reteams with artist Starling for the follow-up to I Am Angry (2021). Instead of a furious, adorable kitten, the child stand-in is an earnest red squirrel. The author’s “Note to Grown-Ups” lets readers know that the squirrel is playing a game and using their imagination. Even so, the conclusion may perplex some. This one isn’t entirely a miss for Rosen, but it isn’t as amazing as many of his others. However, Starling’s cartoon illustrations are silly and wonderful as usual—the little squirrel is an endearing hero, whether making off with ice cream cones, climbing a ladder to nibble on “a bit of the moon,” or darting off with a piece of fried fish while a flock of ravenous sea gulls follows. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A peculiar poem about being peckish. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: July 11, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-5362-2510-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: April 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2023
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
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Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable.
You think you know shapes? Animals? Blend them together, and you might see them both a little differently!
What a mischievous twist on a concept book! With wordplay and a few groan-inducing puns, Neal creates connections among animals and shapes that are both unexpected and so seemingly obvious that readers might wonder why they didn’t see them all along. Of course, a “lazy turtle” meeting an oval would create the side-splitting combo of a “SLOW-VAL.” A dramatic page turn transforms a deeply saturated, clean-lined green oval by superimposing a head and turtle shell atop, with watery blue ripples completing the illusion. Minimal backgrounds and sketchy, impressionistic detailing keep the focus right on the zany animals. Beginning with simple shapes, the geometric forms become more complicated as the book advances, taking readers from a “soaring bird” that meets a triangle to become a “FLY-ANGLE” to a “sleepy lion” nonagon “YAWN-AGON.” Its companion text, Animal Colors, delves into color theory, this time creating entirely hybrid animals, such as the “GREEN WHION” with maned head and whale’s tail made from a “blue whale and a yellow lion.” It’s a compelling way to visualize color mixing, and like Animal Shapes, it’s got verve. Who doesn’t want to shout out that a yellow kangaroo/green moose blend is a “CHARTREUSE KANGAMOOSE”?
Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 27, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0534-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
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