Reluctant to give up his nearly perfect day, a young mouse refuses his mother’s insistence that it’s bath time. Pried from his hiding place by the offer of cinnamon toast, Miko explains the significance of the sparkly dust, smudged paint and a splatter of ice cream that decorate his whiskers and paws. His mother allows his to sleep in his dirty state, but an uncomfortable floor and itchy skin propel him to the bath, where he realizes that each day holds new possibilities and potential. Bright illustrations of the earnest mouse and his understanding mother offer a warm accompaniment to the smart lessons. Patience prevails in another Miko adventure, Mom, Wake Up and Play (ISBN: 0-698-40012-7), as Miko’s mother requests a few more minutes of sleep before playing. Miko’s independence, creativity and kind heart are sure to turn these adventures into new favorites. Kind and smart. (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: March 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-698-40013-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Minedition/Penguin
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2005
The familiar circular formula employing a cookie-eating, milk-guzzling mouse and muffin-eating moose now showcases a pancake-eating pig who, as readers may have come to expect, might be in need of some maple syrup. The domino effect is in full force: The sticky syrup must be dealt with in the bath; the bath demands a rubber duck; the duck prompts the pig to recall her farm origins; and so on. One adventure after another includes tap-dancing, picture-taking, and treehouse-building. In the act of interior decorating, the use of sticky wallpaper reminds the pig of the maple syrup, which leads back to the pancake. The funny, clever formula creates just the right amount of anticipation, with plenty of visual humor accompanying the antics. Whether the homesick pig is wrapped in a bath towel clutching her rubber duck or pirouetting on a tightrope, she’ll please fans of the previous books, who will relish more of the same. (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: May 31, 1998
ISBN: 0-06-026686-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1998
The odyssey of ducklings venturing forth from their comfortable nests into the big world resonates with children and has been a well-traveled subject of many works geared toward young readers. Thompson’s (Mouse’s First Valentine, 2002, etc.) latest effort will certainly appeal to youngsters despite its lack of originality. Mama Duck is coaxing her five hesitant ducklings (Widdle, Waddle, Piddle, Puddle, and Little Quack) into the water one at a time. A “quack-u-lator” at the bottom of the pages adds an interesting mathematical element, helping children count along as ducklings jump into the pond. Mama encourages each nervous duckling to “paddle on the water with me . . . you can do it . . . I know you can.” Overcoming their initial fright, the first four ducklings “splish, splash, sploosh, and splosh” happily into the water. The simple tale’s climax occurs when Little Quack wavers at the water’s edge. “Could he do it? Did he dare?” Not to spoil the ending, but suffice it to say all five ducklings swim off “proud as can be.” In his debut effort, Anderson’s bright and colorful illustrations are lively and captivating. The five adorable ducklings embark on this rite of passage sporting unique looks ranging from Mohawk-type head feathers to orange spots and flowered hair adornments. A pleasant enough take on an old standby. (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-689-84723-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2002
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