A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, and this piggy makes these words of wisdom worth returning to.
Evidence that the best advice is the simple, straightforward variety, modeled by a caring pig.
“It’s easy to show you care….” In this uncredited translation from Dutch, small acts of ordinary kindness have their moment to shine in the sun. A line-drawn piggy in a sharp yellow sweater embodies this sound advice. Whether it’s tidying up at the end of the day, listening to others, or even looking after a sick friend, such recommendations go down a bit smoother when accompanied by cheerful, occasionally meditative images. Some admonishments fall into the realm of platitudes (“Care for the little things…and they’ll grow big”). Others (“Practice self-care,” accompanying our piggy protagonist looking particularly disheveled) come as pleasant surprises. Though in some cases the advice is strong, the images go in questionable directions (“Think of someone else’s feelings” is followed by an image of the pig dumping a goldfish into a fountain; “Say I’m sorry” is paired with an illustration of the pig kissing the foot of a turtle they trod on while in a hurry). Yet there’s no denying the tone’s ineffable quality, charming even as it instructs. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, and this piggy makes these words of wisdom worth returning to. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Aug. 30, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-60537-785-8
Page Count: 56
Publisher: Clavis
Review Posted Online: July 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2022
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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Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable.
You think you know shapes? Animals? Blend them together, and you might see them both a little differently!
What a mischievous twist on a concept book! With wordplay and a few groan-inducing puns, Neal creates connections among animals and shapes that are both unexpected and so seemingly obvious that readers might wonder why they didn’t see them all along. Of course, a “lazy turtle” meeting an oval would create the side-splitting combo of a “SLOW-VAL.” A dramatic page turn transforms a deeply saturated, clean-lined green oval by superimposing a head and turtle shell atop, with watery blue ripples completing the illusion. Minimal backgrounds and sketchy, impressionistic detailing keep the focus right on the zany animals. Beginning with simple shapes, the geometric forms become more complicated as the book advances, taking readers from a “soaring bird” that meets a triangle to become a “FLY-ANGLE” to a “sleepy lion” nonagon “YAWN-AGON.” Its companion text, Animal Colors, delves into color theory, this time creating entirely hybrid animals, such as the “GREEN WHION” with maned head and whale’s tail made from a “blue whale and a yellow lion.” It’s a compelling way to visualize color mixing, and like Animal Shapes, it’s got verve. Who doesn’t want to shout out that a yellow kangaroo/green moose blend is a “CHARTREUSE KANGAMOOSE”?
Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 27, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0534-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
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