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THE UNDERPANTS ZOO

From tighty whiteys to boxers and even a union suit, underpants of all styles, colors and patterns are depicted in bright...

In rhyming verse that sometimes stumbles, Sendelbach’s picture-book debut showcases a zoo where all the animals wear underwear.

From tighty whiteys to boxers and even a union suit, underpants of all styles, colors and patterns are depicted in bright acrylic illustrations. “Kangaroo’s boxers need / plenty of bounce. / For the sloths, / fluffy comfort is what counts.” Some animals’ choices will prove no surprise—the spots on the leopard’s underwear or the fact that elephant’s underpants are size extra-jumbo gigantic. Others are a refreshing change—the zebras prefer stars on their underwear, and crocodile’s skivvies have to be seen to be believed. Many choices either solve or cause problems for their wearers—the penguins’ are prechilled in the freezer, camel’s are always collecting sand and anteater’s? Well, readers can surely guess his problem. Sendelbach keeps his backgrounds and details simple, allowing children to focus on the humorous depictions of animals in underwear, some of which may cause adults to raise an eyebrow (the snakes share one pair, for instance). Overall, though, this tries too hard to be too many things.

Pub Date: May 1, 2011

ISBN: 978-0-545-24935-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic

Review Posted Online: April 18, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2011

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GOOD NIGHT, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK

A sweet reminder that it’s easy to weather a storm with the company and kindness of friends.

Is it a stormy-night scare or a bedtime book? Both!

Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are heading home when a storm lets loose. Before long, their familiar, now very nervous barnyard friends (Goat, Hen, Goose, Cow, Duck, and Pig) squeeze into the garage. Blue explains that “clouds bump and tumble in the sky, / but here inside we’re warm and dry, / and all the thirsty plants below / will get a drink to help them grow!” The friends begin to relax. “Duck said, loud as he could quack it, / ‘THUNDER’S JUST A NOISY RACKET!’ ” In the quiet after the storm, the barnyard friends are sleepy, but the garage is not their home. “ ‘Beep!’ said Blue. ‘Just hop inside. / All aboard for the bedtime ride!’ ” Young readers will settle down for their own bedtimes as Blue and Toad drop each friend at home and bid them a good night before returning to the garage and their own beds. “Blue gave one small sleepy ‘Beep.’ / Then Little Blue Truck fell fast asleep.” Joseph’s rich nighttime-blue illustrations (done “in the style of [series co-creator] Jill McElmurry”) highlight the power of the storm and capture the still serenity that follows. Little Blue Truck has been chugging along since 2008, but there seems to be plenty of gas left in the tank.

A sweet reminder that it’s easy to weather a storm with the company and kindness of friends. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Oct. 22, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-328-85213-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: HMH Books

Review Posted Online: June 22, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2019

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HEY, DUCK!

A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.

A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.

He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts.  When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.

A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012

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