A tender reminder that when even a hug won’t help, friends are always there.
Will anything get Tortoise unstuck?
In a quest to climb a rock, Tortoise has gotten stuck upside down. Now Tortoise is quite upset. Rabbit suggests digging a hole (“That’s what I do when I’m upset”). Tortoise is too unhappy to dig. Fox brings a smelly boot, but Tortoise is too sad and angry for stinky footwear. Even Hedgehog’s offer of a hug won’t help…in fact, it makes Tortoise roar! Owl suggests Hedgehog try to understand how Tortoise feels. After replicating Tortoise’s fall and flip, Hedgehog does. Then, Hedgehog listens while Tortoise talks, and after that, they are quiet together, both on their backs watching clouds until…Hedgehog honks, and that makes Tortoise laugh. Hedgehog helps Tortoise up, and Tortoise says, “If I ever get stuck again… // …then I hope I get stuck with you!” In their fourth outing, Hedgehog and friends show that even the hugs they are famous for can’t solve every problem. McLaughlin and Dunbar have, once again, with simple text and soft watercolors depicting pudgy woodland creatures, effectively explained a complex topic. Useful, instructive, not the least bit didactic, this is a strong conversation starter but also a sweet picture book about two good friends. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A tender reminder that when even a hug won’t help, friends are always there. (Picture book. 2-7)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-571-37434-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2022
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.
A ghost learns to appreciate his differences.
The little ghost protagonist of this title is unusual. He’s a quilt, not a lightweight sheet like his parents and friends. He dislikes being different despite his mom’s reassurance that his ancestors also had unconventional appearances. Halloween makes the little ghost happy, though. He decides to watch trick-or-treaters by draping over a porch chair—but lands on a porch rail instead. A mom accompanying her daughter picks him up, wraps him around her chilly daughter, and brings him home with them! The family likes his looks and comforting warmth, and the little ghost immediately feels better about himself. As soon as he’s able to, he flies out through the chimney and muses happily that this adventure happened only due to his being a quilt. This odd but gently told story conveys the importance of self-respect and acceptance of one’s uniqueness. The delivery of this positive message has something of a heavy-handed feel and is rushed besides. It also isn’t entirely logical: The protagonist could have been a different type of covering; a blanket, for instance, might have enjoyed an identical experience. The soft, pleasing illustrations’ palette of tans, grays, white, black, some touches of color, and, occasionally, white text against black backgrounds suggest isolation, such as the ghost feels about himself. Most humans, including the trick-or-treating mom and daughter, have beige skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 66.2% of actual size.)
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7352-6447-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
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
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