A wonderfully illustrated, engaging tale that teaches youngsters about the importance of kindness for all.
A saint’s wise declaration reminds people to practice compassion in this picture book.
“A long time ago,” a saint named Mahavira (“a great hero”), who appears among animals and greenery in this story, asserted that “all living things have an equal soul.” This means that flora and fauna of all sizes—from large elephants and banyan trees to little tadpoles and flowers—should be treated in the same thoughtful manner. The narrator explains that people express kindness in various ways. For example, some folks avoid stepping on ants because “they too have a right of way,” while others don’t eat meat. The narrator encourages readers to recognize how they can implement caring actions in their own lives. The illustrations show diverse people attempting thoughtful activities that are achievable and kid-friendly, such as someone watering plants, a kid giving flowers to a classmate, and a child offering affection to a parent. Readers are implored to find inspiration within and to treat themselves well, because “you are loving and sweet, good and true.” This short but effective tale deftly indicates how even small, simple deeds can make a positive and lasting difference. Mittal and Saraf’s insights into Mahavira’s story emphasize that kindness will always be relevant and appreciated. Full of whimsy and charm, Dasgupta’s illustrations feature bursts of color and texture. Backgrounds include distinctive elements, including plants, birds, and large, graphic lettering with sentiments like “TO BE KIND!”
A wonderfully illustrated, engaging tale that teaches youngsters about the importance of kindness for all.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 20
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Nov. 1, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Little Blue’s fans will enjoy the animal sounds and counting opportunities, but it’s the sparkling lights on the truck’s own...
The sturdy Little Blue Truck is back for his third adventure, this time delivering Christmas trees to his band of animal pals.
The truck is decked out for the season with a Christmas wreath that suggests a nose between headlights acting as eyeballs. Little Blue loads up with trees at Toad’s Trees, where five trees are marked with numbered tags. These five trees are counted and arithmetically manipulated in various ways throughout the rhyming story as they are dropped off one by one to Little Blue’s friends. The final tree is reserved for the truck’s own use at his garage home, where he is welcomed back by the tree salestoad in a neatly circular fashion. The last tree is already decorated, and Little Blue gets a surprise along with readers, as tiny lights embedded in the illustrations sparkle for a few seconds when the last page is turned. Though it’s a gimmick, it’s a pleasant surprise, and it fits with the retro atmosphere of the snowy country scenes. The short, rhyming text is accented with colored highlights, red for the animal sounds and bright green for the numerical words in the Christmas-tree countdown.
Little Blue’s fans will enjoy the animal sounds and counting opportunities, but it’s the sparkling lights on the truck’s own tree that will put a twinkle in a toddler’s eyes. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-544-32041-3
Page Count: 24
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2014
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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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