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KAHLO'S KOALAS

Name: KAHLO'S KOALAS
Author: Grace Helmer
ISBN: 978-1-4494-9728-6

1, 2, 3, COUNT ART WITH ME

illustrated by Grace Helmer ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 9, 2019

Artsy fun.

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Count groups of animals painted in the styles of various artists in this hybrid art and math book.

In a decidedly cheeky take on art history, this glossy-paged board book re-creates animals in different art genres, such as the pop art “3 Lichtenstein Llamas” composed of the trademark tiny dots, with text inside a distinctive starburst. It’s structured as a traditional counting book with increasing increments of animals, with satisfying alliteration introducing 10 different artists (all white men save for Kahlo). Playful illustrations do a remarkable job of capturing the essence and medium; those five splattery, splotchy dogs are clearly “Pollock Poodles.” Are toddlers likely to make the connections to the original art? Unlikely, but that doesn’t mean they won’t chortle at eight Technicolor Warhol Warthog heads—and one rump. The featured artists are famous enough that most adults will recognize the references, but if not, the backmatter concisely explains the art style and the thoughtful reason for choosing the animal that embodies it, suggesting that since pointillism was “was slow and painstaking,” a sloth was a perfect representation of that style. Older audiences may find it useful as a bridge to connect with the original artwork. Some colors and styles aren’t perfect emulations of the artists—the brushy koalas don’t mimic Kahlo’s fine technique, for instance—but it’s a refreshing change to see the topic of fine art handled so lightly.

Artsy fun. (Board book. 2-4)

Pub Date: April 9, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-4494-9728-6

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Review Posted Online: March 26, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

- BOOK REVIEW
PENGUINS & POLAR BEARS
by Alicia Z. Klepeis ; illustrated by Grace Helmer

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK MAKES A FRIEND
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
TIME FOR SCHOOL, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S VALENTINE
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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ANIMAL SHAPES

by Christopher Silas Neal ; illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2018

Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable.

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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)