by Geert De Kockere ; illustrated by Tineke Van Hemeldonck ; translated by Thomas Mertens ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 3, 2015
This closely follows an earlier adventure, Piglet Bo Can Do Anything (2015), which may explain the abruptness of both...
In this Belgian import, a porcine hero faces his fears and (sort of) triumphs over them.
Piglet Bo, a simply drawn, anthropomorphic pig, proudly proclaims that he “is not scared” of various venues, animals, and activities. From a mouse (which is fortuitously routed by a passing cat) through an empty room, a deep hole, a stand of stinging nettles, and a roller coaster, Piglet Bo finds ways to avoid entirely or, at the least, minimize each potentially frightening experience. The first-person, stream-of-consciousness text uses repetition to convey the (not so) hidden truth that he is, indeed, quite afraid after all. While this is no doubt a familiar feeling for many small children (and some adults), the overlong and occasionally awkward narration is more likely to distance listeners than to draw them in. The mixed-media illustrations may also be somewhat off-putting, as Piglet Bo appears to be transparent at times (the colors of the setting showing through his outline, in whole or in part), and varying depictions of a wild dog or wolf lurk menacingly in many of the compositions.
This closely follows an earlier adventure, Piglet Bo Can Do Anything (2015), which may explain the abruptness of both opening and closing; fans of his first outing may enjoy seeing him again so soon, but those meeting him for the first time may be unimpressed. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Nov. 3, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-63450-182-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2015
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by Geert De Kockere & illustrated by Carll Cneut
by Rachel Bright ; illustrated by Chris Chatterton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 6, 2022
Gently models kindness and respect—positive behavior that can be applied daily.
A group of young “dinosauruses” go out into the world on their own.
A fuchsia little Hugasaurus and her Pappysaur (both of whom resemble Triceratops) have never been apart before, but Hugasaurus happily heads off with lunchbox in hand and “wonder in her heart” to make new friends. The story has a first-day-of-school feeling, but Hugasaurus doesn’t end up in a formal school environment; rather, she finds herself on a playground with other little prehistoric creatures, though no teacher or adult seems to be around. At first, the new friends laugh and play. But Hugasaurus’ pals begin to squabble, and play comes to a halt. As she wonders what to do, a fuzzy platypus playmate asks some wise questions (“What…would your Pappy say to do? / What makes YOU feel better?”), and Hugasaurus decides to give everyone a hug—though she remembers to ask permission first. Slowly, good humor is restored and play begins anew with promises to be slow to anger and, in general, to help create a kinder world. Short rhyming verses occasionally use near rhyme but also include fun pairs like ripples and double-triples. Featuring cozy illustrations of brightly colored creatures, the tale sends a strong message about appropriate and inappropriate ways to resolve conflict, the final pages restating the lesson plainly in a refrain that could become a classroom motto. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Gently models kindness and respect—positive behavior that can be applied daily. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Dec. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-338-82869-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022
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by Rachel Bright ; illustrated by Nadia Shireen
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by Rachel Bright ; illustrated by Nadia Shireen
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by Rachel Bright ; illustrated by Rachel Bright
by John Segal and illustrated by John Segal ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2011
Echoes of Runaway Bunny color this exchange between a bath-averse piglet and his patient mother. Using a strategy that would probably be a nonstarter in real life, the mother deflects her stubborn offspring’s string of bath-free occupational conceits with appeals to reason: “Pirates NEVER EVER take baths!” “Pirates don’t get seasick either. But you do.” “Yeesh. I’m an astronaut, okay?” “Well, it is hard to bathe in zero gravity. It’s hard to poop and pee in zero gravity too!” And so on, until Mom’s enticing promise of treasure in the deep sea persuades her little Treasure Hunter to take a dive. Chunky figures surrounded by lots of bright white space in Segal’s minimally detailed watercolors keep the visuals as simple as the plotline. The language isn’t quite as basic, though, and as it rendered entirely in dialogue—Mother Pig’s lines are italicized—adult readers will have to work hard at their vocal characterizations for it to make any sense. Moreover, younger audiences (any audiences, come to that) may wonder what the piggy’s watery closing “EUREKA!!!” is all about too. Not particularly persuasive, but this might coax a few young porkers to get their trotters into the tub. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-399-25425-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Jan. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2011
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by John Segal & illustrated by John Segal
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by John Segal & illustrated by John Segal
BOOK REVIEW
by John Segal & illustrated by John Segal
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