A surefire hit that will have kids telling these pups to “Go, dogs, go!”
Short vowels steal the show in a phonetic extravaganza for new readers.
What could be better than a day at the beach? A relaxing vacation is rife with ups and downs for this crew of fun-loving pooches, among them Pat the Gordon setter, Ren the English setter, Tip the red and white setter, and Irish setters Bob and Bub. As the letter setters dig on the beach, poor Pat accidentally gets buried under a mountain of sand. After freeing Pat, the pups aim to build a sand castle, but the waves prove problematic. Fortunately, they’re aided in their quest by an almost painfully hip crocodile who’s passionate about both building sand castles and working out. Producing a narrative that uses just a word at a time is anything but easy, yet Long makes the writing seem effortless. The three-letter words in the text will reassure new and beginning readers, while the visual fun will entice them to enhance their literacy skills as they read without intimidation. Long’s signature cartoonish style also perfectly complements his light storytelling, providing context to the simple words on display. Yet it’s the humor of the piece that really lets it stand out—particularly that too-cool-for-school croc with the significant six-pack.
A surefire hit that will have kids telling these pups to “Go, dogs, go!” (Early reader. 4-7)Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
ISBN: 9780823460328
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 29, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2025
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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A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
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