Clear, colorful photographs follow a young family’s quest to find all the “four species” (from the Hebrew arba minim) used to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot, the harvest holiday observed with the symbolic use of the branches of a palm, willow and myrtle tree and the Middle Eastern citrus fruit etrog. Because these are plants that naturally grow in Israel, the family takes a hike near their home in Tzefat to see if they can harvest them rather than buy them at the market. The spirit of the holiday’s significance is captured throughout the family’s outing, which is treated as a treasure hunt and which successfully culminates in a meal in the family’s Sukkah, the outside hut families create for the week-long celebration. Reading daughter Aravah’s first-person account, children will identify with the fun and wonder of her discoveries as her parents guide and instruct each step of the search. A realistic and eco-friendly perspective of both simple Israeli life and the holiday. Holiday explanation and Fun Facts included. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8225-8763-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kar-Ben
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2009
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This succulent successfully steals the spotlight from the ever-present evergreens.
Tiny Cactus eagerly anticipates Christmas—and wishes for some holiday decorations of her own.
Sitting snugly on a bookshelf, Tiny Cactus is especially treasured by her little girl. When she notices all the Christmas decorations coming out, Tiny Cactus is excited for her turn to be covered in tinsel and sparkles. Christmas Day arrives, but Tiny Cactus still doesn’t have any holiday decor. After a pep talk from her friend—an elephant-shaped teapot—and a little holiday magic, she gets some surprising trimmings of her very own. Tiny Cactus has sweetly human characteristics: pink cheeks, expressive eyes, and little legs below her flowerpot. The muted illustrations are dominated by pale grays, various shades of green, and many pops of pink. One particularly stunning image shows the Christmas tree, lights off, still glowing in the moonlight through the nearby window. Little readers will be delighted by the holiday magic and the way that Tiny Cactus ultimately gets her decorations. Evergreen trees are usually the stars of the season, but this unique cactus makes a creative focus for this story. Children will be pleased to learn that the Christmas cactus is a real houseplant; after reading this charming tale, many will be clamoring for one of their own. The little girl and her family are drawn with light brown skin and puffy dark hair. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
This succulent successfully steals the spotlight from the ever-present evergreens. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2023
ISBN: 9780063039643
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 12, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
While this is not an essential purchase, most little pumpkins will love being told, “Baby, I'm batty for you!” (Board book....
Young children won't understand the metaphors but will appreciate the sentiment made clear by the repeated, Halloween-themed declarations of love in Wan's latest board book.
Each of the seven spreads presents an endearment illustrated by an object drawn with heavy outlines and just enough detail to invoke its essential characteristics. Lest it become too maudlin, between the “sugary, sweet candy corn” and a “purr-fect, cuddly kitty” is a “wild, messy monster.” Wan manages to make each drawing expressive and distinctive while relying on just a few shapes—crescents or circles for eyes, dots or ovals accenting cheeks. Although each spread stands alone, there are quiet connections. For example, the orange of the pumpkin is repeated in the candy corn, and the purple that adorns kitty's hat and bow becomes the prominent color on the next spread, setting off the friendly white ghost nicely. The same purple is used for the spider's body on the next to last spread. Subtle, shadowed backgrounds repeat the patterns found elsewhere in the book. For example, the background of the page with the kitty includes pumpkins, hearts, and hats and bows like the ones kitty is wearing.
While this is not an essential purchase, most little pumpkins will love being told, “Baby, I'm batty for you!” (Board book. 6 mos.-3)Pub Date: June 28, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-545-88092-3
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
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