A humorous take on a child’s typical reluctance to go to bed on time, from the author/illustrator of Who Hops? (1998). Told in first person, the young narrator is certain that the fun begins as soon as she goes to bed. Convinced that her parents are having a party without her, she devises ruses to spy on them. She builds a giant pair of binoculars, gasps for water, and hides under a blanket, but each time she’s caught and given a finger-pointing, “Go to bed!” from each parent. “But I HATE to go to bed,” she always replies. Black pen outlines the cartoon figures; these are nearly, but not quite filled in with bright acrylics, giving the art the appearance of a child’s felt-marker drawings. In a clever contrast, the palette dims to shades of blue and purple whenever the narrator is in her darkened room, supposedly sleeping. Most children will relate to the anti-bedtime sentiments, and celebrate the party of an ending, where dogs dance and clowns cavort in the young girl’s dreams. The parents’ final sigh of relief is almost audible. (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-15-201920-0
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
One of a four-book series designed to help the very young prepare for new siblings, this title presents a toddler-and-mother pair (the latter heavily pregnant) as they read about new babies, sort hand-me-downs, buy new toys, visit the obstetrician and the sonographer, speculate and wait. Throughout, the child asks questions and makes exclamations with complete enthusiasm: “How big is the baby? What does it eat? I felt it move! Is it a boy or girl?” Fuller’s jolly pictures present a biracial family that thoroughly enjoys every moment together. It’s a bit oversimplified, but no one can complain about the positive message it conveys, appropriately, to its baby and toddler audience. The other titles in the New Baby series are My New Baby (ISBN: 978-1-84643-276-7), Look at Me! (ISBN: 978-1-84643-278-1) and You and Me (ISBN: 978-1-84643-277-4). (Board book. 18 mos.-3)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-84643-275-0
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Child's Play
Review Posted Online: June 3, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
In facile rhyme, a preschooler lists all the things she can do: “I can dress myself in my very own clothes. I can brush my teeth. I can blow my nose.” These boasts are addressed to her baby brother as her mother goes through the day caring for them both. The girl shown is wildly active, and her poses recall those of the haughty Eloise of Plaza Hotel fame as she upturns food and batter on the kitchen floor, frolics in the house, goes down a slide head-first, and splashes in the tub, disturbing her mother, who has the baby in her arms. The preschooler generously explains to the baby, “And when you get bigger, do you know what I’ll do? I’ll teach every one of these things to you.” The illustrations, executed with a fine, loose drawing style, portray a chaotic but normal, believable household with modern, identifiable objects and scenarios. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: March 30, 1999
ISBN: 0-694-01200-9
Page Count: 24
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1999
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