Three active piglets do everything little children love to do.
This board book charms before the first page is turned, as the three titular pigs snooze peacefully on the cover beneath a cardboard “blanket” that wraps around both book and pigs, held snug by two magnets. What follows is a full and active day in the lives of the piggies, told in paired scenes with rhyming text. “Pigs in a blanket wake up with the sun. / Pigs in underwear love to have fun.” The pigs appear to be siblings, rising together, going through their day, and retiring once again to their shared bed and blanket. Their genders aren’t specified in the text; in Salcedo’s delicate cartoons they appear to be two boys, sans hair, and one girl, with a sweet smile and pigtails. The three play together all day, racing, stomping in puddles, playing dress-up, dancing in tutus, baking pies, putting on a puppet show, and then washing up, brushing teeth, and tucking themselves back in to their cozy bed and blanket. The illustrations are delightfully playful and energetic. The piglets’ day of play is so archetypal of an active child’s routine readers easily forget the porcine nature of the protagonists, their snouts and twirly tails being the only reminders. These pigs are Everykid, playing hard, winding down, and sleeping peacefully so they can do it again tomorrow.
A lovely celebration of the simple joys of childhood. (Board book. 2-5)Pub Date: March 19, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4521-6451-9
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 28, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2019
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS
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This title previously published in the U.K. takes a cozy look at all kinds of kisses.
Walsh’s rhyming text is full of cutesy rhythms: “Kisses on noses, kisses on toes-es. Sudden kisses when you least supposes.” Sometimes the phrasing stumbles: “Who likes to kiss? I do! I do! Even the shy do. Why not try, too?” But toddlers and young preschoolers will probably not mind. They will be too engaged in spotting the lively penguin on each spread and too charmed by Abbot’s winsome illustrations that fittingly extend the wording in the story. Patient dogs queue up for a smooch from a frog prince, cool blue “ ’normous elephants” contrast strikingly with bright red “little tiny ants” and a bewildered monkey endures a smattering of lipstick kisses. Be the kiss small or tall, one to start or end the day, young readers are reminded that “the very best kiss… / is a kiss from you!” Perhaps no big surprise but comforting nonetheless.
Although a bit on the slight side, this offering is infused with a warm, light humor just right for cuddling up with a young tyke or sharing with a gathering for storytime. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Dec. 20, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4424-2769-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Nov. 20, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2011
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S FAMILY
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A patient mother with a healthy sense of whimsy helps prepare her headstrong toddler for bed.
The story opens with a toddler, fists raised into the air, proclaiming, “No! No! No!” Thank goodness this not-at-the-moment-sweet creature’s mother is patient and creative as she corrals her child into a bedtime routine that may feel familiar to many readers. The words and behaviors of the child evading bed are translated into animal sounds and behaviors: wide-eyed and asking “Who? Who?” like an owl; shaking hair and roaring like a lion; hanging on for a hug like a koala. And, of course, the requisite leaving bed for a last trip to the bathroom and drink, like a human child. Zunon’s art takes this book to the next level: Her portrayals of the animals mentioned in the text are colorful and full of intriguing patterns and shapes. Additionally, the expressions on the faces of the mother, child, and animals speak volumes, portraying the emotions of each. Arguably, the sweetest part of the story comes at the end, when the child asks to sleep with Mommy and Dad. Though the mother sighs, the child climbs in, along with “owl, bear, snake, kitty, fawn, squirrel, koala, tiger, wolf.” (Readers attuned to details will notice the father’s look of delight at the parade of animals.) All characters are Black.
An adventurous treat of a bedtime story. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Jan. 14, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4926-3832-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Sept. 15, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2019
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS
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