Even Old MacDonald will applaud this edgy addition to the canon of books about mixed-up animal sounds.
A trickster cat causes mayhem in the barnyard.
Endpapers feature the monotone silhouette of a farm before dawn, and on the first spread of the story, readers see cat comfortably curled and sleeping. Not for long! Rooster throws back his head, and “Cock-a-doodle-doodle-doo!” tears across the barnyard. With that, the awakened, annoyed cat casts some spells. The next morning, rooster can only manage, “Squeak, squeak, squeak!” The cow meows, the sheep bark, the horse quacks and, most ridiculous of all, the mice moo. Dodd’s digital art captures the mounting chaos with varied perspectives and intense colors that sometimes resemble block-print ink or broad crayon strokes. Bold typography careens across the pages, conveying the noise, and rhyming text helps build the pace as the confused animals chase cat up a tree demanding their voices back. Cat relents: “With a flick of his tail, the spells were undone. / All, that is, except for one…” Turn the page, and there is one last surprise. The book demands to be read aloud so children can join in the cacophony—and with this book, they will learn the meaning of the word.
Even Old MacDonald will applaud this edgy addition to the canon of books about mixed-up animal sounds. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-545-31861-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Levine/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: April 18, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2011
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers.
Echoing the meter of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Ward uses catchy original rhymes to describe the variety of nests birds create.
Each sweet stanza is complemented by a factual, engaging description of the nesting habits of each bird. Some of the notes are intriguing, such as the fact that the hummingbird uses flexible spider web to construct its cup-shaped nest so the nest will stretch as the chicks grow. An especially endearing nesting behavior is that of the emperor penguin, who, with unbelievable patience, incubates the egg between his tummy and his feet for up to 60 days. The author clearly feels a mission to impart her extensive knowledge of birds and bird behavior to the very young, and she’s found an appealing and attractive way to accomplish this. The simple rhymes on the left page of each spread, written from the young bird’s perspective, will appeal to younger children, and the notes on the right-hand page of each spread provide more complex factual information that will help parents answer further questions and satisfy the curiosity of older children. Jenkins’ accomplished collage illustrations of common bird species—woodpecker, hummingbird, cowbird, emperor penguin, eagle, owl, wren—as well as exotics, such as flamingoes and hornbills, are characteristically naturalistic and accurate in detail.
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers. (author’s note, further resources) (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 18, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4424-2116-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2014
A heartwarming reminder to embrace change.
A dog who belongs to an expecting couple adjusts to home life as a new baby arrives.
Pepita, the family pet, is beloved and still so little they call her Bebita (baby girl). But Pepita’s world is changing as her Mami and Papi await the arrival of a baby. Pepita is used to being spoiled “with treats and tummy rubs and my favorite fluffy pillow….But lately, things have been changing.” As the home gets new additions like a crib and gifts from the grandparents, Pepita feels left out, no longer the center of attention. Once the baby arrives, Pepita tries to adjust but is kept up at night by crying and doesn’t get playtime like before. But Pepita’s sweetness shines through as she finds ways to help out and bond with the new baby. “I feel so proud to be the big sister,” she concludes. The book is sprinkled with Spanish phrases, reflecting that Pepita is part of a Latine household; readers unfamiliar with Spanish will find the glossary helpful. Illustrations are warm and cuddly throughout, and the story is highly relatable; soon-to-be big siblings fretting over a new arrival will find it especially comforting. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A heartwarming reminder to embrace change. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2023
ISBN: 9780593566985
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
© 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
