bookshelf

FEELINGS!

Name: FEELINGS!
Author: Tad Carpenter
ISBN: 978-0-316-20074-5

From the I Say, You Say series

by Tad Carpenter ; illustrated by Tad Carpenter ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 7, 2014

Carpenter’s predicable, interactive titles in the I Say, You Say series offer appealing introductions to basic concepts just...

bookshelf

This new addition to the I Say, You Say series invites a young audience to playfully explore the world of emotions.

Quickly falling into a predictable and comforting pattern, the left-hand page introduces a feeling—“I say happy, you say…”—and the gatefold flap on the right-hand page lifts to reveal a corresponding response: “SMILE!” Other feelings include grumpy, silly, sad, excited, sleepy, hurt and love. The bright, busy pages, which star wide-eyed, cartoon-style animal characters in situations typically associated with the emotions featured, will appeal to little ones and help them to understand the concepts presented. For instance, a scowling cat getting drenched in the rain illustrates “grumpy”; a crying gorilla with a bee sting on his thumb aptly represents “hurt”; and pairs of cuddling and kissing animals symbolize “love.” In companion title Colors! (978-0-316-20072-1), the left-hand page offers an object—“I say apples, you say…”—and the gatefold reveals the name of the color: “RED!” Little ones will enjoy the repetition and interactivity of these offerings, celebrating as they correctly guess the words hiding under the flaps.

Carpenter’s predicable, interactive titles in the I Say, You Say series offer appealing introductions to basic concepts just right for toddlers and preschoolers. (Picture book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-316-20074-5

Page Count: 18

Publisher: LB Kids/Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: Nov. 26, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2013

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
BITTY BOT'S BIG BEACH GETAWAY
by Tim McCanna ; illustrated by Tad Carpenter

- BOOK REVIEW
MONSTER'S NEW UNDIES
by Samantha Berger ; illustrated by Tad Carpenter

- BOOK REVIEW
TUGBOAT BILL AND THE RIVER RESCUE
by Calista Brill ; illustrated by Tad Carpenter

bookshelf

SMILE, POUT-POUT FISH

by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 7, 2014

An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to.

bookshelf

This simplified version of Diesen and Hanna’s The Pout-Pout Fish (2008) is appropriate for babies and toddlers.

Brief, rhyming text tells the story of a sullen fish cheered up with a kiss. A little pink sea creature pokes his head out of a hole in the sea bottom to give the gloomy fish some advice: “Smile, Mr. Fish! / You look so down // With your glum-glum face / And your pout-pout frown.” He explains that there’s no reason to be worried, scared, sad or mad and concludes: “How about a smooch? / And a cheer-up wish? // Now you look happy: / What a smile, Mr. Fish!” Simple and sweet, this tale offers the lesson that sometimes, all that’s needed for a turnaround in mood is some cheer and encouragement to change our perspective. The clean, uncluttered illustrations are kept simple, except for the pout-pout fish’s features, which are delightfully expressive. Little ones will easily recognize and likely try to copy the sad, scared and angry looks that cross the fish’s face.

An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-374-37084-8

Page Count: 12

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
THE WORRY-WORRY WHALE MADE 32 MISTAKES
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

- BOOK REVIEW
THE WORRY-WORRY WHALE AND THE CLASSROOM JITTERS
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

- BOOK REVIEW
POUT-POUT FISH
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

bookshelf

LLAMA LLAMA SHAPES

From the Learning With Llama Llama series

developed by Anna Dewdney ; illustrated by JT Morrow ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 7, 2023

An invitation for readers to learn through observation.

bookshelf

Llama Llama and Mama spot different shapes at the farmers market.

Dewdney’s iconic llama stars in this board book, a part of the Learning With Llama Llama series. The story showcases five shapes: rectangles, squares, triangles, circles, and stars. Rather than simply showing the shapes and naming them, illustrator Morrow embeds them inside scenes from the farmers market. Each page turn uncovers a different shape. Signage and a shopping bag pop as rectangles, while umbrellas, a slice of watermelon, and the peaks of the tents form triangles. Shapes that appeared on previous pages are visible even as the story progresses, and the final page helps readers revisit and recall shapes they’ve already found. There are plenty of engaging details to keep readers looking, including other animal shoppers, kite-flying, and sudden, surprising rain. The text is concise, and each spread features a simple question inviting participation. This title is more captivating than other shape concept books, especially those that show block-colored shapes without context. Llama Llama’s popularity will make this a hit with fans, and readers looking for substance will find it. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An invitation for readers to learn through observation. (Board book. 1-3)