A useful resource on becoming independent, the change of seasons, and the forest habitat
A mother fox cares for her kit, Little Fox, during its first year.
The mother, who narrates, knows that Little Fox is old enough now to learn to explore their woodland habitat, though she promises to stay close by during Little Fox’s first year. On a day in spring, she watches as Little Fox explores a stream where tadpoles swim and frogs peek out from under lily pads. In summer, mother and kit romp through meadows of flowers, and as the weather turns brisk in autumn, she waits as Little Fox discovers the fun of playing in the fallen leaves. However, once the winter snows arrive, the narrator realizes her kit has grown and has learned enough that her care is no longer needed. Little Fox is ready to be alone—but there’s the reassurance that, if needed, mother can always be found at her den. Chrustowski’s simple, rhyming text lends a soft tone to a parent’s bittersweet understanding that, if parenting is done right, the young one will leave to succeed on his or her own. Readers will enjoy the bright colors of the detailed illustrations, done in watercolor with pastel pencil detail, which often incorporate key words. Mushrooms on the forest floor spell out “year,” while lily pads’ dangling roots spell out “day.”
A useful resource on becoming independent, the change of seasons, and the forest habitat . (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 9, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4814-6961-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Feb. 19, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2017
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
A sweet reminder that it’s easy to weather a storm with the company and kindness of friends.
Is it a stormy-night scare or a bedtime book? Both!
Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are heading home when a storm lets loose. Before long, their familiar, now very nervous barnyard friends (Goat, Hen, Goose, Cow, Duck, and Pig) squeeze into the garage. Blue explains that “clouds bump and tumble in the sky, / but here inside we’re warm and dry, / and all the thirsty plants below / will get a drink to help them grow!” The friends begin to relax. “Duck said, loud as he could quack it, / ‘THUNDER’S JUST A NOISY RACKET!’ ” In the quiet after the storm, the barnyard friends are sleepy, but the garage is not their home. “ ‘Beep!’ said Blue. ‘Just hop inside. / All aboard for the bedtime ride!’ ” Young readers will settle down for their own bedtimes as Blue and Toad drop each friend at home and bid them a good night before returning to the garage and their own beds. “Blue gave one small sleepy ‘Beep.’ / Then Little Blue Truck fell fast asleep.” Joseph’s rich nighttime-blue illustrations (done “in the style of [series co-creator] Jill McElmurry”) highlight the power of the storm and capture the still serenity that follows. Little Blue Truck has been chugging along since 2008, but there seems to be plenty of gas left in the tank.
A sweet reminder that it’s easy to weather a storm with the company and kindness of friends. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 22, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-328-85213-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: June 22, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2019
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