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WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE FAVORITE?

Name: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE FAVORITE?
Author: Bob Shea
ISBN: 978-1-4847-7809-8

From the Ballet Cat series

by Bob Shea ; illustrated by Bob Shea ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 7, 2017

While not the funniest addition to the series or to the genre, this latest outing should please fans of Ballet Cat.

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The feline dancer returns for a new adventure, in which cousins vie for the affection of their grandmother.

Ballet Cat is busily and happily preparing a show for Grandma featuring her dramatic moves. Cousin Goat then shows up carrying a box labeled “The Great Goatini” and puts a damper on Ballet Cat’s proceedings by readying a magic show. “Magic is Grandma’s favorite.” Goat demonstrates two (very obvious) tricks for Ballet Cat, who, in turn, shows off her repertoire. Grandma (a white, bespectacled dog with black ears) arrives and is tucked into a chair and served “those dry cookies old people like.” Tricks and dance steps follow, but the audience is sound asleep. Awakened, she attests that both shows were the best, but her “FAVORITE favorite” is a choice that many young readers will find both tastefully agreeable and tasty. Shea once again places the short, snappy, and repetitive dialogue in color-coded and shaped speech bubbles (blue oblongs for Goat, and pink ovals for Ballet Cat). His characters are digitized shapes outlined in swirls of black and set on backgrounds of bright, solid colors. Ballet Cat’s ballet steps are limited—but not her enthusiasm. Goat is a lively and ultimately likable character.

While not the funniest addition to the series or to the genre, this latest outing should please fans of Ballet Cat. (Early reader. 4-8)

Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-4847-7809-8

Page Count: 56

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Review Posted Online: Dec. 5, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
BEARSUIT TURTLE MAKES A FRIEND
by Bob Shea ; illustrated by Bob Shea

- BOOK REVIEW
PIZZA FOR BIRDS
by Bob Shea ; illustrated by Bob Shea

- BOOK REVIEW
PARROTFISH HAS A SUPERPOWER
by Jill Esbaum ; illustrated by Bob Shea

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WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

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All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.

Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)

Pub Date: May 1, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED

From the Little Blue Truck series

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2025

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.

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In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.

Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)