Winsome glimpses of the natural world throughout the year.
A look at animals in their various habitats throughout the seasons.
This book of haiku subtly draws readers’ attention to the action on each page, starting with the coldest season: “in white winter coats / long-eared friends play hide-and-seek / moon says, ‘I see you!’ ” The accompanying image shows hares frolicking in the moonlight. The story slowly shifts between seasons, from winter’s snow to the rain of spring to warm, breezy summer to, finally, autumnal leaves. Readers meet playful otters, a sea turtle laying eggs, squirrels searching for acorns, and more; along the way, a pair of mice can be seen interacting with the different animals. The haiku are lovely read-alouds, full of alliteration and descriptive language and imagery. The thoughtfulness of the writing sets this one apart. The palette shifts to mark each change, the final layout a gorgeous blend of nighttime blues and purples. Each lift of the flap creates a peekaboo effect revealing a surprise animal to readers, the haiku a clue about what’s beneath. The animals are charming without being overly cartoonish or anthropomorphized. This is a title both caregivers and children will enjoy revisiting. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Winsome glimpses of the natural world throughout the year. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Feb. 21, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-66592-646-1
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to.
This simplified version of Diesen and Hanna’s The Pout-Pout Fish (2008) is appropriate for babies and toddlers.
Brief, rhyming text tells the story of a sullen fish cheered up with a kiss. A little pink sea creature pokes his head out of a hole in the sea bottom to give the gloomy fish some advice: “Smile, Mr. Fish! / You look so down // With your glum-glum face / And your pout-pout frown.” He explains that there’s no reason to be worried, scared, sad or mad and concludes: “How about a smooch? / And a cheer-up wish? // Now you look happy: / What a smile, Mr. Fish!” Simple and sweet, this tale offers the lesson that sometimes, all that’s needed for a turnaround in mood is some cheer and encouragement to change our perspective. The clean, uncluttered illustrations are kept simple, except for the pout-pout fish’s features, which are delightfully expressive. Little ones will easily recognize and likely try to copy the sad, scared and angry looks that cross the fish’s face.
An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-374-37084-8
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014
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BOOK REVIEW
In this board book designed for the littlest llama lovers, adorable-as-ever Llama Llama (Llama Llama Red Pajama, 2005, etc.) gets ready for some Halloween fun.
Dewdney’s characteristic spare, apt rhymes convey a lot of action in effortlessly readable fashion. A charming and simple introduction to Halloween and its associated activities, this title finds little Llama Llama choosing and carving a pumpkin, pouring candy into bowls, picking out a costume and, finally, trick-or-treating. The costume Llama Llama decides to don—pointy teeth and a black mask and cape—is enough to frighten and fool his friends but not readers, who will immediately recognize and smile at the silly little mini-Dracula. With Dewdney’s characters as expressive as ever, young readers will be drawn right into the holiday fun, eagerly anticipating which costume Llama Llama will choose and excited to see him scare his friends and score some candy at trick-or-treat. In the equally appealing companion title, Llama Llama Jingle Bells,the little fellow gets ready for Christmas, baking and decorating some cookies in anticipation of Santa’s arrival. This simple holiday title will win Llama Llama new fans, and old friends will want to add it and its companion to their collections. (Board book. 1-2)
Pub Date: Aug. 19, 2014
ISBN: 978-0451469786
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2015
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