Two friends enjoy a realistic day of play in the snow, complete with sledding, an argument, reconciliation, and treats.
Peep and Ducky venture out with sleds into the falling snow at the same time. They have only one run—a race—but it’s a doozy, as they glide easily side by side until they encounter a bump and Peep sails into the air, landing on top of Ducky to finish the suddenly, thrillingly, very fast ride. Trouble arises when the duo attempts a snowman. “Ducky gets mad / and snow starts a-flying. / And after a while, / both are crying.” But as they yell back and forth about just who is “madder,” feet stomping and wings flailing, laughter gets the better of them. And just then, Momma and Poppa arrive on toboggans to share a few runs, treats, and hot chocolate. A hug between friends is the perfect ending to their very realistic day. The simple mixed-media illustrations keep the focus on the warm friendship amid the cool whites and light blues of a winter day. Larger, yellow Ducky is referred to with the male pronoun. He sports a green scarf and blue boots, while blue Peep, not gendered, wears a pink pompom hat and boots. Momma and Poppa are larger versions of their kids.
Young children in wintry climes will certainly see their own snow-day play reflected here; the only thing missing is the putting-on-the-snowsuit struggle. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9433-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Oct. 14, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2018
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Dancing is one of the most universal elements of cultures the world over.
In onomatopoeic, rhyming text, Bolling encourages readers to dance in styles including folk dance, classical ballet, breakdancing, and line dancing. Read aloud, the zippy text will engage young children: “Tappity Tap / Fingers Snap,” reads the rhyme on the double-page spread for flamenco; “Jiggity-Jig / Zig-zag-zig” describes Irish step dancing. The ballet pages stereotypically include only children in dresses or tutus, but one of these dancers wears hijab. Overall, children included are racially diverse and vary in gender presentation. Diaz’s illustrations show her background in animated films; her active child dancers generally have the large-eyed sameness of cartoon characters. The endpapers, with shoes and musical instruments, could become a matching game with pages in the book. The dances depicted are described at the end, including kathak from India and kuku from Guinea, West Africa. Unfortunately, these explanations are quite rudimentary. Kathak dancers use their facial expressions extensively in addition to the “movements of their hands and their jingling feet,” as described in the book. Although today kuku is danced at all types of celebrations in several countries, it was once done after fishing, an activity acknowledged in the illustrations but not mentioned in the explanatory text.
The snappy text will get toes tapping, but the information it carries is limited. (Informational picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 3, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-63592-142-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: Dec. 21, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2020
Categories: CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS
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BOOK REVIEW
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
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES
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