The book treads familiar friendship territory and ends up feeling as insubstantial as, well, a bubble.
How much trouble can a bubble really cause? You'd be surprised.
Rueben, a cute white rabbit wearing a polka-dot bandanna, and Felix, a bright red beaver, are best friends and nearly identical in many ways. They're exactly the same height, are both left-handed, and have lived next door to each other all their lives. They both also love bubbles—of all sorts really, but their most favorite thing is blowing really big bubbles. One day, seemingly out of nowhere, Rueben issues a challenge—"I bet I could blow a bigger bubble than you"—and suddenly a contest is on. It begins in a friendly manner, but as their bubble machines increase in complexity, the contest decreases in fun. In fact, everything gets more complicated and less enjoyable. Judges find the tiniest faults even as crowds flock from miles around to see the spectacular bubble machines. All the former friends can think about is winning, until, predictably, they see the error of their ways and resume their friendship—maybe. Numerous lift-the-flap bubbles that conceal some of the text and illustrated details are a winning touch and should delight young aspiring readers. The story itself is a little one-note, though, and the visual complexity of the former friends’ bubble-blowing machines threatens to overwhelm the plot as well as the friends.
The book treads familiar friendship territory and ends up feeling as insubstantial as, well, a bubble. (Picture book. 2-6)Pub Date: June 2, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-6196-3679-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2015
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
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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