Children with easily annoyed or embarrassed parents will love it.
Sophie la girafe thinks it might be a good day to take a walk—but her friends have other ideas.
Designed along the same lines as Sophie’s Big Noisy Day Book (2015) but, improbably, even more raucous, the episode features bursts of loud and uncurtailable motor noises, horns, or sirens from a chip in the back (which requires three batteries to power). Each one is activated by lifting a flap on successive spreads to reveal another of Sophie’s friends in a car or other wheeled conveyance. Rather than promoting the benefits of getting around on two (or in the case of Sophie and friends, who are all animal toys, four) legs, Sophie bows to majority will at the end and opts for a drive rather than a walk. Off she goes in her “noisy car” with a “Beep! Beep! Brrm! Brrrrrm!” As the sounds are light-activated, not only will they not reliably work in a dim setting, but in brighter ones, one or two passes will leave the flaps sufficiently ajar that just turning the pages will set off engine roars and persistent honks.
Children with easily annoyed or embarrassed parents will love it. (Novelty/board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4654-5375-4
Page Count: 12
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: Oct. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2016
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An invitation for readers to learn through observation.
Llama Llama and Mama spot different shapes at the farmers market.
Dewdney’s iconic llama stars in this board book, a part of the Learning With Llama Llama series. The story showcases five shapes: rectangles, squares, triangles, circles, and stars. Rather than simply showing the shapes and naming them, illustrator Morrow embeds them inside scenes from the farmers market. Each page turn uncovers a different shape. Signage and a shopping bag pop as rectangles, while umbrellas, a slice of watermelon, and the peaks of the tents form triangles. Shapes that appeared on previous pages are visible even as the story progresses, and the final page helps readers revisit and recall shapes they’ve already found. There are plenty of engaging details to keep readers looking, including other animal shoppers, kite-flying, and sudden, surprising rain. The text is concise, and each spread features a simple question inviting participation. This title is more captivating than other shape concept books, especially those that show block-colored shapes without context. Llama Llama’s popularity will make this a hit with fans, and readers looking for substance will find it. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An invitation for readers to learn through observation. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-46509-7
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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