by Bob Bianchini ; illustrated by Bob Bianchini ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 4, 2017
Families with similar loving, supportive relationships as well as those who are striving for this happy, evidently carefree...
It’s a happy day with Dad!
Charlie loves to ride…his bike, a race car, a rocket ship, a sled, a boat, a plane, a hot air balloon, a train, even a sidecar—but especially on his dad’s shoulders. Wearing appropriate safety gear and a broad grin, this little boy is clearly loving his life. His proud papa is right there with him, as well as a nameless white dog. Sometimes an obviously female figure or two are included (sis? or mom?), but always the focus is on Charlie and Dad. Only four or five faces shown are brown; Charlie and his dad are white. Bianchini’s black-outlined drawings on thick board pages are strikingly consistent. Charlie’s face always is round; his father is square-jawed; both are always smiling. The matte palette is predominantly shades of blue and green, lending an old-fashioned feel. Red highlights draw attention to the speeds of the various vehicles and add interest. The center spread shows Charlie and Dad peering out of a white airplane zipping through white clouds in a pale blue sky. Not coincidentally, Bianchini’s son is also named Charlie.
Families with similar loving, supportive relationships as well as those who are striving for this happy, evidently carefree reality will want to ride along . (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: April 4, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4197-2292-9
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Review Posted Online: March 14, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
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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.
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
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by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry
BOOK REVIEW
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry
BOOK REVIEW
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph
by Caroline Jayne Church ; illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 27, 2015
A good choice for caregivers looking for a positive, uncomplicated introduction to a new baby that focuses on everything an...
A little boy exults in his new role as big brother.
Rhyming text describes the arrival of a new baby and all of the big brother’s rewarding new duties. He gets to help with feedings, diaper changes, playtime, bathtime, and naptime. Though the rhyming couplets can sometimes feel a bit forced and awkward, the sentiment is sweet, as the focus here never veers from the excitement and love a little boy feels for his tiny new sibling. The charming, uncluttered illustrations convincingly depict the growing bond between this fair-skinned, rosy-cheeked, smiling pair of boys. In the final pages, the parents, heretofore kept mostly out of view, are pictured holding the children. The accompanying text reads: “Mommy, Daddy, baby, me. / We love each other—a family!” In companion volume I Am a Big Sister, the little boy is replaced with a little girl with bows in her hair. Some of the colors and patterns in the illustrations are slightly altered, but it is essentially the same title.
A good choice for caregivers looking for a positive, uncomplicated introduction to a new baby that focuses on everything an older sibling can do to help. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-545-68886-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
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by Caroline Jayne Church ; illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
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by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak ; illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
BOOK REVIEW
by Caroline Jayne Church ; illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church
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