An encouraging and relatable animal tale about embracing personal traits and cultivating connections.
A young squirrel finds friendship and self-confidence in this picture book.
Allie is “an albino,” which means that, unlike her family members, her fur is white. She feels “different and…unsure of herself” and envies her sociable brothers, longing for “the day when she wouldn’t be afraid to be herself and…make friends.” The night before her first day of kindergarten, Allie worries that classmates will ridicule her appearance. Mom reminds her that “the color of your fur doesn’t define you, it’s just one part of…who you are.” Despite feeling nervous, Allie has a great first day. At lunchtime, she is surprised when Bree, a brown bunny wearing colorful bows, greets her by name. Bree explains that their brothers play together and that Allie’s sibling Ronnie “told me about you, and I was hoping we’d be in the same class.” When Bree compliments her appearance—even saying how lucky she is because her fur makes her “look good in any color”—Allie’s “heart swelled with happiness.” The critters’ friendship blossoms, and Allie becomes more self-assured. Through charming animal characters, McCoy deftly emphasizes the importance of accepting distinctive attributes and looking beyond appearances. Readers will root for Allie, and many will share her desire for friendship and her feelings of uncertainty in a new situation. Qadri’s appealing illustrations feature mixed-media elements like photographic backdrops, including a scene of a river and grass juxtaposed with cartoonish characters.
An encouraging and relatable animal tale about embracing personal traits and cultivating connections.Pub Date: March 17, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-63988-263-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Review Posted Online: April 27, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school...
The familiar theme of the challenges facing a new kid in town is given an original treatment by photographer Border in this book of photos of three-dimensional objects in a simple modeled landscape.
Peanut Butter is represented by a slice of white bread spread with the popular condiment. The other characters in the story—a hamburger with a pair of hot dogs in tow, a bowl of alphabet soup, a meatball jumping a rope of spaghetti, a carton of French fries and a pink cupcake—are represented by skillfully crafted models of these foods, anthropomorphized using simple wire construction. Rejected by each character in turn in his search for playmates, Peanut Butter discovers in the end that Jelly is his true match (not Cupcake, as the title suggests), perhaps because she is the only one who looks like him, being a slice of white bread spread with jelly. The friendly foods end up happily playing soccer together. Some parents may have trouble with the unabashedly happy depiction of carbs and American junk food (no carrots or celery sticks in this landscape), and others may find themselves troubled by the implication that friendship across difference is impossible.
Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school experiences. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 29, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-399-16773-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014
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