A pleasant-enough offering that would have been improved by elimination of the gimmick.
A simple retelling of the Nativity story with tactile elements embedded on each spread.
In the five double-page scenes, Mary and Joseph travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, angels visit the shepherds, and the Magi come from afar. The cartoons, which look to be acrylic paintings in rich jewel tones, are cheery, and the prose is straightforward and just enough for the youngest audience. Each page holds one touch-and-feel feature, dubbed a “finger-trail,” which is created by cutting out the top portion of the page to make an indentation and reveal a layer of patterned paper underneath. Through them, readers are encouraged to “feel” the flight path of angels and the foot trails of shepherds and Magi. However, the gimmick is unevenly presented. On the first page, the finger-trail feature is incomplete, since not all of the donkey’s hoof prints marking Mary and Joseph’s journey are cut away, and the finger-trail on the final double-page spread, which is meant to lead little fingers to the gifts of the three Magi, merely traces the outlines of their backs.
A pleasant-enough offering that would have been improved by elimination of the gimmick. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-7459-6241-2
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Trafalgar Square
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2013
To enjoy this simple rendition, don’t scrutinize the backdrops too closely.
This dreidel-shaped board book brings to life a condensed version of the well-known Hanukkah song.
Anthropomorphic raccoon, beaver, mouse, owl and bear families celebrate the holiday in their woodland homes. Each double-page spread shows a different critter family spinning dreidels, lighting menorahs, frying latkes, serving jelly doughnuts or enjoying other traditional activities. The song synchs up well to the page turns, presenting just enough of the song to engage young attention spans. The menorahs, made of logs, acorns, stones and other natural materials, are a clever touch. Since most families light Hanukkah candles at nightfall, the skies seem much too bright, and the forest floor is a little too green for a late fall/early winter holiday, however.
To enjoy this simple rendition, don’t scrutinize the backdrops too closely. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Aug. 26, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-545-53364-5
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A simple ode to all food has to offer.
Love is where the food is.
This tiny board book focuses on all that a meal can do. Food helps us grow strong, smells good, and brings a family together. The text consists of one long sentence, one phrase per double-page spread, until the end, where it concludes: “for giving much more than enough— / thank you for filling us with love.” Since the force that is being thanked is never named, the book has potential application in families of many faiths. Children and families of all ethnicities enjoy the delicious food. Walsh’s style has a bulbous look, and the illustrations are muddied by a color palette that leans on dark greens, oranges, reds, and browns, but the compositions are smartly arranged and put just as much emphasis on smiling faces as they do on the food. Another in the series, Tiny Blessings for a Merry Christmas, publishes concurrently and explores the Christmas holiday with the same illustrator and narrative style. The books are quite small but hard-bound and should stand up to even the most active readers.
A simple ode to all food has to offer. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7624-6096-0
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Review Posted Online: Oct. 18, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
bookshelf
