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
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Yes, the Pigeon has to go to school, and so do readers, and this book will surely ease the way.
All the typical worries and excuses kids have about school are filtered through Willems’ hysterical, bus-loving Pigeon.
Told mostly in speech balloons, the bird’s monologue will have kids (and their caregivers) in stitches at Pigeon’s excuses. From already knowing everything (except whatever question readers choose to provide in response to “Go ahead—ask me a question. / Any question!”) to fearing learning too much (“My head might pop off”), Pigeon’s imagination has run wild. Readers familiar with Pigeon will recognize the muted, matte backgrounds that show off the bird’s shenanigans so well. As in previous outings, Willems varies the size of the pigeon on the page to help communicate emotion, the bird teeny small on the double-page spread that illustrates the confession that “I’m… / scared.” And Pigeon’s eight-box rant about all the perils of school (“The unknown stresses me out, dude”) is marvelously followed by the realization (complete with lightbulb thought bubble) that school is the place for students to practice, with experts, all those skills they don’t yet have. But it is the ending that is so Willems, so Pigeon, and so perfect. Pigeon’s last question is “Well, HOW am I supposed to get there, anyway!?!” Readers will readily guess both the answer and Pigeon’s reaction.
Yes, the Pigeon has to go to school, and so do readers, and this book will surely ease the way. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 2, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-368-04645-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 7, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2019
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