It’s difficult to say much against these related titles, but it’s also difficult to praise them. Each begins with the fact that all animals have both a mother and a father, then describes animal parenthood in increasing order of parental care, starting with insects and reptiles, which lay their eggs and never return. (Is a lizard an animal? Is a spider?) Next fish, birds, short-lived mammals such as mice, then camels, elephants, primates, and, finally, humans. Everything’s sweet and the cartoon illustrations are reasonably engaging, but the overall impression is didactic and bland and the format inappropriately cutesy and young for the information included. The endpaper declares, “There is no better way to get basic ideas across to young children than with humor and far-out comparisons.” Perhaps that’s true; if so, a little humor and some far-out comparisons should have been included—and a single offering, decently done, would have been plenty. Choose Marion Dane Bauer’s If You Were Born a Kitten (1997) instead. (Picture book/nonfiction. 2-5)
Pub Date: July 1, 2004
ISBN: 1-59354-032-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Blue Apple
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2004
Although a bit on the slight side, this offering is infused with a warm, light humor just right for cuddling up with a young...
This title previously published in the U.K. takes a cozy look at all kinds of kisses.
Walsh’s rhyming text is full of cutesy rhythms: “Kisses on noses, kisses on toes-es. Sudden kisses when you least supposes.” Sometimes the phrasing stumbles: “Who likes to kiss? I do! I do! Even the shy do. Why not try, too?” But toddlers and young preschoolers will probably not mind. They will be too engaged in spotting the lively penguin on each spread and too charmed by Abbot’s winsome illustrations that fittingly extend the wording in the story. Patient dogs queue up for a smooch from a frog prince, cool blue “ ’normous elephants” contrast strikingly with bright red “little tiny ants” and a bewildered monkey endures a smattering of lipstick kisses. Be the kiss small or tall, one to start or end the day, young readers are reminded that “the very best kiss… / is a kiss from you!” Perhaps no big surprise but comforting nonetheless.
Although a bit on the slight side, this offering is infused with a warm, light humor just right for cuddling up with a young tyke or sharing with a gathering for storytime. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Dec. 20, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4424-2769-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Nov. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2011
Lola’s daddy takes her to the library every Saturday, where she finds “excellent books,” and every night her mommy or daddy reads them to her. The next day Lola acts out the story. On Sunday she’s a fairy princess; on Monday she takes her toy animals “on fantastic trips to places like Paris”; on Wednesday she’s a tiger, etc. Each new book and day provides Lola with a variety of tales to play out, with the last one—which is about a wild monster—posing the question, “What will Lola be tomorrow?” The final page shows her in a wolf suit just like Max’s. The library books, the pretending and the incorporation of the days of the week work together as a simple and pleasing premise. Beardshaw’s acrylic illustrations depict the multicultural kids and Lola’s black family with childlike charm, while the title will have librarians, parents and booksellers smiling. Alert: The book will be an invitation for lap kids to follow Lola’s lead—not such a bad thing. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-58089-258-2
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: June 3, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2010
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