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POO IN THE ZOO

THE ISLAND OF DINOSAUR POO

A quirky treat for the bathroom obsessed.

There’s more animal poo outside the zoo!

Zookeeper Bob McGrew, a brown-skinned boy, is back and all set to vacation with his animals. How are they traveling? By poo, of course! Led by the series’ previous zoo visitor, light-skinned poo collector Hector Gloop, this bevy of zoo residents, including an elephant, a lion, a giraffe, and a flamingo, climb into a poo-shaped flying contraption and set off in search of various samples. They’re on their way to Kerplink, aka “the Land of Living Poo,” also home to an assortment of dinosaurs, and as they travel, “Dear old Hector never stopped / catching anything that plopped.” They find the stools of a stoat, a hare, a bear, a mountain goat, a yeti, and more. But they’re also in search of a living creature said to be made up of poo. Can they find it, or will they end up being eaten by a hungry dinosaur? A diverse group of zoo visitors is waiting back at the zoo to find out! Appealing, action-filled illustrations show the animals on their oddball journey, and while the rhyming text is sometimes awkward, young readers and listeners won’t mind a bit; they’ll be left hyperventilating in a plethora of giggles. Lovers of toilet humor will appreciate the multitude of poo references (bolded for extra emphasis). Without a doubt, this tale is full of absurdity, fun—and, of course, poo. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A quirky treat for the bathroom obsessed. (Picture book. 2-6)

Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-68010-283-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Tiger Tales

Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2022

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DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE SLEIGH!

A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.

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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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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

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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