Not the best exploration of a friendly twosome—stick with Mr. Putter and Tabby or George and Martha.
Pip and Posy are back in an oddly flat tale.
One rainy, boring day, Posy decides to bake some cupcakes, washing her hands, donning her apron and mixing up ingredients. While they are baking, a tap at the window and a big, blue, furry hand draw her attention. The suspense and fear ratchet up as there is a knock at the door, where a monster head is just visible. When the door opens, poor Posy dissolves into tears and hides behind the couch. But when she sees her good friend Pip’s feet protruding from the costume, she loses all her fears. Pip apologizes for scaring her and offers to let her try the costume. The two play, then break for a snack of cupcakes and milk. All’s well that ends well, but still, there is something off. The duo (a bunny and a mouse) are a strange mix of adult and child—Posy baking cupcakes all by herself, yet dragging around her stuffed frog and being reduced to tears of fright over the monster. Still, simple vocabulary and two or three short sentences per page make this a good choice for beginning readers, and Scheffler’s ink-and-gouache artwork is both bright and cute.
Not the best exploration of a friendly twosome—stick with Mr. Putter and Tabby or George and Martha. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: July 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5918-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Review Posted Online: April 17, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2012
The book is available in just about every format--but this is the perfect one.
It's hard to believe that a pop-up wasn't the creators' original intention, so seamlessly do moveable parts dovetail into this modern classic's storyline.
In contrast to the tale's 1998 pop -up version, the figures here move on every page, and with an unusually graceful naturalism to boot. From pulling down Big Nutbrown Hare's ears on the opening spread to make sure he's listening to drowsily turning his head to accept a final good-night kiss in a multi-leveled pull-down tableau at the close, all of Little Nutbrown Hare's hops, stretches and small gestures serve the poetically spare text—as do Big Nutbrown's wider, higher responses to his charge's challenges. As readers turn a flap to read Big Nutbrown's "But I love you this much," his arms extend to demonstrate. The emotional connection between the two hares is clearer than ever in Jeram's peaceful, restrained outdoor scenes, which are slightly larger than those in the trade edition, and the closing scene is made even more intimate by hiding the closing line ("I love you right up to the moon—and back") until an inconspicuous flap is opened up.
The book is available in just about every format--but this is the perfect one. (Pop-up picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5378-1
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Sept. 21, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2011
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IN THE NEWS
A tasty holiday confection.
Actor Witherspoon’s latest sees her exuberant young hero returning to celebrate the holidays.
Realizing that it’s nearly Christmas, Busy Betty launches into a brainstorming whirlwind; Betty wants to buy the perfect gifts but lacks the necessary funds. Last summer, Betty and best friend Mae had good luck running a lemonade stand, so the kids start a Christmas cookie stand. But chilly temperatures keep prospective customers away even after Betty and Mae sing loud, creative Christmas carols to get people’s attention and build snowpeople to create the illusion of customers. When Betty’s dog, Frank, accidentally crashes the stand and ruins the beautiful treats, a distraught Betty is sure that “Christmas is ruined!” But upon discovering one intact cookie, Betty has a great idea and dashes to the kitchen to whip up some perfect presents. On Christmas morning, Betty’s homemade gifts are scrumptious and tailor-made for their recipients—a holiday success! Though the story is slightly predictable, Betty’s inimitable voice (“Sweet cinnamon biscuits, it’s Christmas!”) sets it apart; Witherspoon ably captures the emotional extremes that young children often grapple with. Yan’s illustrations effectively portray the steps of Betty’s journey, using a vivid palette of greens and pinks and a dynamic use of perspective to keep wiggly young readers entranced. An appended recipe for cookie bars encourages readers to follow Betty’s worthy example. Busy Betty presents white; Mae is tan-skinned with dark hair.
A tasty holiday confection. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2024
ISBN: 9780593525159
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Flamingo Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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