A stolen potty is a disaster for young Suzy Sue, “who had something very important to do.” As she searches high and low, with a disgruntled look on her face, a bevy of farmyard animals is oohing and ahhing over the great new poo-pot and anxiously awaiting their own turn with the bright red wonder. Youngsters, already tickled with the bathroom humor, will be in hysterics as Suzy Sue asks each animal in turn if they have seen her potty . . . while they are obviously sitting on it. They’ve never heard of a potty. Just as the situation looks dire, the animals notice what Suzy Sue is about to do and save the day: “Haven’t you learned . . . / Or have you forgotten . . . / Always poo with a poo-pot / under your bottom!” Kelly’s rhymes keep the tale moving along, although read-alouds may be interrupted by raucous laughter caused by McQuillan’s artwork. The animals’ body language and facial expressions will be all too familiar to the recently potty-trained and their trainers. The brightly colored illustrations have a country feel and delightfully adorable anthropomorphized animals. This is a sure winner for the toddler and preschool set. (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7641-6030-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Barron's
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2007
A cheery little girl and her dad plan a shopping trip, go to the grocery store (by bike), purchase ingredients and go home to make pizza for the whole family (a biracial one, in a nice touch). An enthusiastic running commentary narrates the activities, which all go smoothly and safely, with just a bit of mess. Birkett’s bright, line-and-color illustrations focus on the child and her contributions, evoking Aliki in line and mood. The narration, which seems to include both the child and her father’s dialogue without distinction, may confuse some readers slightly, but its rapid-fire enthusiasm is appealing. This entry in the Helping Hands series is joined by Clean It! (ISBN: 978-1-84643-283-6), Fix It! (ISBN: 978-1-84643-286-6) and Grow It! (ISBN: 978-1-84643-285-9). All have a thinner-than-usual page stock that suits them, appropriately, to toddlers. (Board book. 2-4)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-84643-284-2
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Child's Play
Review Posted Online: June 3, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2010
We’ll say it: a toothsome experience.
Flash those pearly whites!
Renowned poet Florian’s jaunty rhymes suggest that a hygiene ritual many children consider bothersome can be “fun! fun! fun!” Each spread features lively scenes showing kids demonstrating tooth- and mouth-cleansing techniques as well as two couplets in which the second exclamatory lines—containing a word repeated three times—rhyme with each other (“Toothpaste on the / brush! brush! brush!” “Take your time. / Don’t rush! rush! rush!”). Parents and caregivers seeking an enjoyable, stimulating way to motivate youngsters to perform this important daily task may wish to recite the rollicking verses to provide a pleasant, rhythmic, chanting “background” whenever their kids wield their toothbrushes. The colorful, energetic illustrations depict happy, wide-eyed, racially diverse small children—some with missing teeth—taking care of their oral-hygiene business with gusto. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
We’ll say it: a toothsome experience. (Board book. 2-5)Pub Date: July 5, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-4998-1340-1
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2022
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