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HAND IN HAND

Name: HAND IN HAND
Author: Rosemary Wells
ISBN: 978-1-62779-434-3

by Rosemary Wells ; illustrated by Rosemary Wells ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 6, 2016

Thanks to Wells’ experienced hand, this book is a fine gift for new parents.

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An ode to parenting, from child to mother, starring Wells’ beloved bunnies.

On the title page, a glowing mother bunny watches her new baby in a bassinet. Page by page, mom helps the infant grow in size and skill. The loving bond between parent and child also grows with the gently rhyming text. “Be my teacher from day one. // Be my sky, my moon, / my sun.” The toddler could possibly be a gray cousin of baby Max from the treasured Max and Ruby series. Instead of bossy older sister Ruby, the mother rabbit wordlessly takes center stage, teaching the bunny how to talk and walk. She is his “first feeder” and “first reader,” and she keeps him steady and strong. The spare text is from the toddler’s point of view, with each sentiment the verbal equivalent of little arms reaching out for a hug. The large format brings the colorful and intimate pictures closer, enhanced by ribbonlike square borders. Vivid hues are combined to shade large areas, spreading positive energy throughout the book, even on the end pages and covers. The last image symbolically shows the youngster on a boat, sailing off into the wide, wide world.

Thanks to Wells’ experienced hand, this book is a fine gift for new parents. (Picture book. 2-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-62779-434-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Henry Holt

Review Posted Online: July 1, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
THE LITTLE CHEFS
by Rosemary Wells ; illustrated by Rosemary Wells

- BOOK REVIEW
GENIUS IN A HIGH CHAIR
by Rosemary Wells ; illustrated by Rosemary Wells

- BOOK REVIEW
ON THE NIGHT BEFORE KINDERGARTEN
by Rosemary Wells ; illustrated by Rosemary Wells

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PEANUT BUTTER & CUPCAKE

by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 29, 2014

Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school...

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The familiar theme of the challenges facing a new kid in town is given an original treatment by photographer Border in this book of photos of three-dimensional objects in a simple modeled landscape.

Peanut Butter is represented by a slice of white bread spread with the popular condiment. The other characters in the story—a hamburger with a pair of hot dogs in tow, a bowl of alphabet soup, a meatball jumping a rope of spaghetti, a carton of French fries and a pink cupcake—are represented by skillfully crafted models of these foods, anthropomorphized using simple wire construction. Rejected by each character in turn in his search for playmates, Peanut Butter discovers in the end that Jelly is his true match (not Cupcake, as the title suggests), perhaps because she is the only one who looks like him, being a slice of white bread spread with jelly. The friendly foods end up happily playing soccer together. Some parents may have trouble with the unabashedly happy depiction of carbs and American junk food (no carrots or celery sticks in this landscape), and others may find themselves troubled by the implication that friendship across difference is impossible.

Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school experiences. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: July 29, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-399-16773-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Philomel

Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
SCAREDY SNACKS!
by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border

- BOOK REVIEW
SNACK ATTACK!
by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border

- BOOK REVIEW
BIG BROTHER PEANUT BUTTER
by Terry Border ; illustrated by Terry Border

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HOW TO CATCH A MAMASAURUS

From the How To Catch… series

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024

A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.

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Another creature is on the loose.

The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.