Read it aloud a few times, and younger voices will soon join in.
Cartoonish animals, repetitive phrases and fast-paced suspense make for a story that toddlers and their slightly older siblings can enjoy together.
Five different woodland animals are interrupted from such activities as “enjoying a nibble” and “storing food” by the same loud noise: “Da-Dump! Da-Dump! Da-Dump! The ground shook and shuddered, trees trembled, rocks rattled….It was a terrible noise!” Each animal dashes away from home, and on each successive page, readers see the growing procession of runaways, until all five—Hare, Beaver, Skunk, Raccoon and Fox—are backed against a wall of rocks. The huge, noise-making beast—Buffalo—arrives on the scene, and a delicious, surprising ending comes with a lesson that young children are just starting to learn: “It was scary at first!” the animals shout. “But fun afterwards!” The artwork clearly supports the text, with wide-eyed, active animals comically portrayed against simple, colorful backgrounds. Such touches as Skunk’s penchant for “frolicking in a flower field to freshen herself up” keep the tone light. Even when the five friends are backed into a corner, with the shadow of the “HUGE, shaggy creature” upon them, the humor throughout both text and illustrations keeps young readers reassured that all will be well.
Read it aloud a few times, and younger voices will soon join in. (foldout splash scene [not seen]) (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: May 20, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-909428-32-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Digital Leaf
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2014
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
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.
A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.
From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780316581721
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
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