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NIGHT-NIGHT, LITTLE ONE

Name: NIGHT-NIGHT, LITTLE ONE
Author: Angela McAllister
ISBN: 0-385-32732-3

by Angela McAllister & illustrated by Maggie Kneen ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 11, 2003

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A bedtime story with a twist. Duffy plays with his older sisters (bunnies in picture book clothing) under his favorite tree, but after supper, it’s bedtime, and he can’t settle down. He rearranges his toys, he gets a drink of water, and finally he asks for another story, proclaiming that he doesn’t like the dark. After about the third “night-night, little one” Mommy reminds Duffy that we can see the stars only at night, and at night the moths dance in the starlight and Mrs. Bat teaches her young to fly. Mrs. Badger, of course, wakes her children, takes them to play under what Duffy considers to be his oak tree, and then finally puts them to bed come morning with a “day-day, little one.” Duffy is charmed enough by this to go to sleep at last. Watercolor and gouache on scanner board make for soft colors on a textured, almost pointillist surface. The bunnies and badgers and other animals are clothed and upright, but not entirely anthropomorphized. Duffy’s family cottage is as sweet and green and thatched as could be, with a rose bower over the gate. His room is a wonder, too, with its bedside bookshelf, toy train, and a picture window that looks out onto the roses. Mommy bunny wears a comfy rosebud patterned shift; the oak tree is massive and friendly by day or night. A low-key contribution to the endless need for get-that-kid-to-sleep stories. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: March 11, 2003

ISBN: 0-385-32732-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2003

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
A WORLD FULL OF DICKENS STORIES
by Angela McAllister ; illustrated by Jannicke Hansen

- BOOK REVIEW
A WORLD FULL OF SPOOKY STORIES
by Angela McAllister ; illustrated by Madalina Andronic

- BOOK REVIEW
WILD WORLD
by Angela McAllister ; illustrated by Hvass&Hannibal

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IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

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Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!

Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: March 31, 2026

ISBN: 9781454999621

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MONSTER AND PUPPET SHOW!
by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci ; illustrated by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

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HEDGEHOGS DON'T WEAR UNDERWEAR

by Marissa Valdez ; illustrated by Marissa Valdez ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2025

Sure to have little ones giggling.

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Jacques is a hedgehog with a big secret: “I wear real, bona fide underwear.”

Our narrator received a mysterious package one day; an illustration shows a pair of underwear tied to a balloon with a note “from the Universe” floating down into Jacques’ burrow. Hedgehogs don’t wear underwear, however. Will Jacques be shunned? Jacques worries but comes to a decision: “I have to wear them. When I do I feel special.” Determined, Jacques, who’s been invited to a party, makes a dramatic entrance, with undies in hand. Jacques’ declaration (“I WEAR UNDERWEAR”) is met with remarks of dismay, before another hedgehog opens up about similar fears and shows off a pair of cowboy boots. More hedgehogs introduce themselves with their own confessions. The story ends with Jacques unveiling a painting of the underwear in a gallery filled with hedgehogs wearing all sorts of attire. Though the book is simple in plot, characters, and setting, it wins in its balance of bathroom humor, dramatic storytelling, and celebrations of individual expression. French words are peppered throughout, adding to the fun without detracting from the story for those unfamiliar with the language. The cartoonish illustrations brim with fun; Valdez relies heavily on geometric shapes (triangle noses for the hedgehogs; huge circles for their eyes). Details such as speech bubbles and recurring turtle and snake characters contribute to the outlandish humor.

Sure to have little ones giggling. (Picture book. 3-5)