Hooray for Lil and Harry.
Where is Harry the Hog? A goofy crew of animal friends sets out to find him.
Lil, a small and multitalented mouse, has invited her dear friend Harry the Hog for a sumptuous tea. Her preparations are complete with specialties that will fill Harry with joy, though they might elicit gleeful “ew, gross” responses from young readers. After all, only a warthog would enjoy “chocolate-chip beetles and slug-flavoured chips” and other equally appalling dishes. When Harry doesn’t appear at the appointed hour, Lil sets out to find him. She meets a sheep, a deer, and a crow, each of whom has seen parts of something that, upon further thought, could have been Harry. They all push on through the deep fog until, at last, they come upon Harry, who has fallen “snout-over-trotters” into a bog. They work together to rescue him, and there’s still time for tea. Copus tells the tale in easy, breezy aabb rhyme that bounces rhythmically along, with each character’s movements given a distinct, appropriate sound in perfect sync with the cadence. Seo’s bright, inventive illustrations complement the action beautifully, convey Lil’s every emotion, and are filled with unexpected and delightful details. Lil may appear dainty, but she is intrepid and in control—very much a leader. Little readers will want to enjoy it again and again, and they’ll be happy to know that companion title The Hog, the Shrew and the Hullabaloo publishes simultaneously.
Hooray for Lil and Harry. (Picture book. 2-6)Pub Date: June 14, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-571-30721-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Review Posted Online: March 29, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
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
Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable.
You think you know shapes? Animals? Blend them together, and you might see them both a little differently!
What a mischievous twist on a concept book! With wordplay and a few groan-inducing puns, Neal creates connections among animals and shapes that are both unexpected and so seemingly obvious that readers might wonder why they didn’t see them all along. Of course, a “lazy turtle” meeting an oval would create the side-splitting combo of a “SLOW-VAL.” A dramatic page turn transforms a deeply saturated, clean-lined green oval by superimposing a head and turtle shell atop, with watery blue ripples completing the illusion. Minimal backgrounds and sketchy, impressionistic detailing keep the focus right on the zany animals. Beginning with simple shapes, the geometric forms become more complicated as the book advances, taking readers from a “soaring bird” that meets a triangle to become a “FLY-ANGLE” to a “sleepy lion” nonagon “YAWN-AGON.” Its companion text, Animal Colors, delves into color theory, this time creating entirely hybrid animals, such as the “GREEN WHION” with maned head and whale’s tail made from a “blue whale and a yellow lion.” It’s a compelling way to visualize color mixing, and like Animal Shapes, it’s got verve. Who doesn’t want to shout out that a yellow kangaroo/green moose blend is a “CHARTREUSE KANGAMOOSE”?
Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 27, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0534-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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