CRITTER COLORS

Name: CRITTER COLORS
Author: Ashley G.
ISBN: 978-1-4814-4218-3

by Ashley G. ; illustrated by Ashley G. ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 25, 2015

With so many excellent board books about color on the market, those with limited budgets can safely pass on this pale...

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“What can you make out of colors?” is the question posed by this simple board book.

Red, yellow, blue, white, and black are introduced. Then each spread uses two of the basic colors to create a third color or tint, illustrated by an animal. Black plus white makes a gray kitten; white plus red makes a pink piglet, and so on, the second color from each combination becoming the first of the next after the turn of the page. The pictures tell the story without any wordy instruction. The colors are not bright; they are printed on a matte finish, and when combined, they are sometimes muddy. This affects the red/blue illustration the most. The purple octopus could have used more blue; it looks more burgundy than purple, which may not make the concept clear for very young children. Each animal is repeated in thumbnail against white on the last spread, which helps to mitigate the muddiness. Contrast can also be a problem. The word “yellow,” written in white on yellow, disappears into its background. The first and last spreads might be wasted space, decorated with splotches of colors in varying shades, unless parents or teachers use them as a pointing game.

With so many excellent board books about color on the market, those with limited budgets can safely pass on this pale contribution to the spectrum . (Board book. 18 mos.-4)

Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-4814-4218-3

Page Count: 28

Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

- BOOK REVIEW
OUT OF SHAPES
by Ashley G. ; illustrated by Ashley G.

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK MAKES A FRIEND
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
TIME FOR SCHOOL, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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I LOVE YOU, LITTLE POOKIE

From the Little Pookie series

by Sandra Boynton ; illustrated by Sandra Boynton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 4, 2018

An unabashed love letter from mother.

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A sweet celebration of the bond between a mother and her Pookie.

The eighth installment in this always charming series eschews the episodic drama and silliness of earlier outing such as Spooky Pookie (2015) in favor of a mom’s-eye-view celebration of her child and the time they spend together. There is, of course, nothing wrong with drama and silliness. But while the lack of conflict and plot in favor of unapologetic sentiment makes this book a quick read, that doesn’t make it any less endearing. The rhymed verse captures a mother’s wonder as she observes the many facets of her child’s personality: “Ah, Pookie. My little one. My funny one. My child. // Sometimes you are quiet. Sometimes you are wild.” On the simple joys of shared moments, she notes, “I love to go walking with you by my side. / I love when we sing when we go for a ride. // And I love just to watch as you think and you play. / The way that you are is a wonderful way.” Paired with author/illustrator Boynton’s irresistible renderings of a porcine mommy and her playful, snuggly little piglet, the result is impossible to fault. Whether quietly reading, running in a tiger suit, singing with mom in the car, ears flapping in the breeze, or enjoying the safety of mom’s embrace, Pookie’s appeal continues unabated.

An unabashed love letter from mother. (Board book. 1-4)