Relentlessly perky but, like other outings in this high-fructose series, not entirely empty calories.
A voyage to the moon, with surprises hidden behind large flaps along the way.
Astronauts Danny and Daisy blast off with a lift of the first flap (“Liftoff! Bye-bye, Daisy and Danny”), race another rocket that’s hiding behind a space station (“Peekaboo!”), discover Rilo the Robot in a locker, glimpse a pair of shy ETs, and finally plant a generic Earth flag on the plasticine moon next to a plaque with friendly greetings. Made from plugs of soft-looking material with rounded edges and brightly colored painted details, all of the spacesuited figures sport smiles, and all—including the three-eyed ETs—are differently hued. The rhymed narrative doesn’t exactly soar (“The moon is really close now. / It’s a great big ball of rock. / Is something hiding behind it? / Watch out! You might get a shock”), but fanciful as the flight may be, no laws of physics are actually broken, and exposure to such vocabulary as “launch tower” and “cockpit” may give diapered STEM-winders a boost.
Relentlessly perky but, like other outings in this high-fructose series, not entirely empty calories. (Pop-up board book. 1-3)Pub Date: March 12, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4654-7933-4
Page Count: 12
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A quick, tuneful dip into oceanography
Walruses wave, jellies jiggle, and gulls glide in this board-book introduction to sea creatures.
All these creatures live in or near the sea, but a youngster would not normally see them together except when visiting an aquarium. The inclusion of “river otters” might be confusing. Despite their name, they sometimes head to the ocean to fish, but the book lacks backmatter to explain this to adult readers who may be faced with inquisitive children’s questions. Still, illustrator Endle’s playful cut-paper collages of each animal are surprisingly accurate, highlighting the essential features of each species. The uncluttered illustrations match the text clearly; even when two animals share a spread, which animal is which is clear from the layout. Older toddlers may want to count the creatures; the number shown varies depending on the page design. The alliterative text reads like a baby’s bounce rhyme. Author Babypants, aka Chris Ballew, is a former rocker–turned–children’s musician so it’s not surprising that his text begs to be sung. (A note in the back of the book informs readers that a recording will be available for free download on Babypants’ website.)
A quick, tuneful dip into oceanography . (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: March 13, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-63217-131-3
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Little Bigfoot/Sasquatch
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
While an audience of young vehicle aficionados or avid skaters might be attracted, this is a disappointing and poorly...
Learn how Zambonis clean ice in this awkwardly shaped book.
In the voice of the Zamboni, dull pronouncements about each step of the ice-cleaning process give readers a rudimentary but adequate overview of how the vehicle works. The book is cut into the shape of a Zamboni machine (and driver), but the unusual format adds nothing of substance and even detracts from the story. Each page turn removes a section of the Zamboni, but the image under the cutaway doesn’t necessarily match, creating pages with two confusingly juxtaposed scenes. Though the pages are thick, they are prone to fraying, and the edges remain sharp and jab fingers painfully, especially around the severe cuts defining the driver’s face. The pen-and-ink–style digital art is underwhelming, and attempts to make the art feel lively fall flat. A puppy sitting next to the driver is far too rabbitlike, and the American flag found on every page looks odd, as if a poor quality sticker were applied over the images. There’s a single hockey player of color; the driver and crowds are white.
While an audience of young vehicle aficionados or avid skaters might be attracted, this is a disappointing and poorly designed book . (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Aug. 28, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-338-27773-9
Page Count: 8
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: July 23, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019
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