Too many cats may be a possibility—but never too many books celebrating feline companionship.
Who will help the book’s young narrator get a dearly desired cat?
“I wanted a cat to cuddle. A great big furry fluff ball, like the cat in my book.” To attract one, the child sets out all sorts of things cats like: yarn, bowls of milk, jingle balls, and cushions. No cats come, so the child consults Granny, who has a black-and-white puss named Hector. The child acquires the suggested catnip and cardboard boxes and newspapers…but still no cat. Hugging the cat book, the child falls asleep—to be woken in the morning by Hector, who’s brought several friends—a lot of friends! There are 67 in all. The child spends the day playing with them all but likes the one sleeping in the sock drawer best. However, in taking Hector back to Granny’s, the child notices a well plastered with lost-cat posters—they all belong to other people. They must return to their homes, but the cat in the sock drawer has a surprise for her: kittens! And there is one kitten who stays. Robinson’s tale of a kitty-wish fulfilled will brighten the hearts of young cat lovers. The soft tones of Lee’s watercolor-and-pencil illustrations of a white-presenting family (and a passel of pusses of every color) are an excellent match for Robinson’s gentle story of pet love.
Too many cats may be a possibility—but never too many books celebrating feline companionship. (Picture book. 2-6)Pub Date: July 9, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5362-0165-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
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