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I CAN HELP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Name: I CAN HELP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Author: David Hyde Costello
ISBN: 9780374391331

From the I Can Help series

by David Hyde Costello ; illustrated by David Hyde Costello ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 29, 2024

Infectiously charming.

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In this follow-up to Costello’s I Can Help (2010), a duckling receives assistance, which results in a chain of good deeds.

Peeking out from tall grass, the little duck laments, “Uh-oh. I’m lost.” A rabbit bounds by and cheerily offers to help. The rabbit jumps high and spots the duckling’s family. They are all reunited. When the perspective zooms out, readers can see that the animals are in a park. But now the rabbit, tangled in a kite string, needs help. A passing pigeon flaps down and says, “I can help.” A familiar pattern emerges as the book demonstrates how all the animals are interconnected. The setting changes as the pigeon flies out of the park and into an urban environment. In need of shelter, the pigeon laments, “I need cover.” A raccoon steps in to lend a paw; later, a rat and a squirrel join the fray. Day turns to night and back to morning, and the same little duckling helps the squirrel but gets lost again (someone get that duck a compass!). The repeating refrain of “I can help” will reassure readers and is simple enough to be triumphantly parroted by the youngest of storytime audiences. Whether depicting a verdant park or moonlit city scenes, Costello’s artwork sets a soothing tone. Human characters are diverse.

Infectiously charming. (Picture book. 2-5)

Pub Date: Oct. 29, 2024

ISBN: 9780374391331

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2024

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
I CAN HELP ON THE FARM
by David Hyde Costello ; illustrated by David Hyde Costello

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE PIG SAVES THE SHIP
by David Hyde Costello ; illustrated by David Hyde Costello

- BOOK REVIEW
A CROW OF HIS OWN
by Megan Dowd Lambert ; illustrated by David Hyde Costello

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK MAKES A FRIEND
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
TIME FOR SCHOOL, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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IF WE WERE DOGS

by Sophie Blackall ; illustrated by Sophie Blackall ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 16, 2025

Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.

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A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.

From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.

Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)