An unabashedly idealized but nevertheless wholehearted hymn to grandmotherhood (Picture book. 2-4)
The arrival of a new grandchild is joyously celebrated in this grandmotherly ode to their new life together.
Tenderhearted affection is displayed through the softly hued watercolors of furry, cuddly rabbits and is combined with gushing verse recited by one delighted grandmother bunny to her sweet and innocent grandbaby. “The moment I saw you, / I fell in love, / Honey, my bunny, / my sweet turtledove. // Wiggling and giggling, / you captured my heart. / I loved you so much, dear, / right from the start.” Love at first sight deepens as the pages turn, becoming that special relationship of mutual devotion unique to a grandmother and grandchild. While this displays no shortage of greeting-card syrup in its sentiment, its gentleness will make for nice initial read-aloud sessions for the intended audience and an appropriately thoughtful gift from any new grandma to grandchild (as blank lines for inscription, a “special letter” to the grandchild and a picture of grandmother and grandchild attest).
An unabashedly idealized but nevertheless wholehearted hymn to grandmotherhood (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-58536-836-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: May 14, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Though its single-minded focus on success offers positive role modeling, it needs to be used with other, more realistic...
A toddler shares his glee at leaving diapers behind.
The book is completely child-focused, without an adult in sight. This youngster's independence influences each aspect of his toileting; he takes himself to the pot, and he uses a step stool to reach the sink to wash his hands after. There's no indication that any accidents may occur. The boy boasts, “When it's time, I know.” Brisk, rhyming phrases miss the mark. “Everyone uses the potty, / like me and Daddy and Mommy. / It's potty time, hooray! / I'm a big kid today.” With a little button nose and short spiky hair, the Caucasian tot is appealing. His favorite teddy bear plays the role of a loyal companion and even sits on his own potty just like the child. A die-cut–framed, battery-operated button (“flush me!”) triggers sound effects. Adults looking for a straightforward celebration of this milestone will gravitate toward this short selection, but there's no hint of the inevitable missteps young children face during the process.
Though its single-minded focus on success offers positive role modeling, it needs to be used with other, more realistic titles (and lots of patience). (Board book. 2-3)Pub Date: May 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-545-35080-8
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 29, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A fun paean to fathers willing to go the extra mile for their nature-loving kids.
Dendrophilia is the name of the game in this tale of a patriarch emulating his leafy neighbors.
When Dad finds Madeleine imitating a tree, he asks why. “Because a tree gets to stay outside all day long!” the child explains. After Madeleine begs Dad to join in, he acquiesces, but “only for a minute!” Trouble is, Dad is a particularly convincing tree. First a baby owl falls asleep on his shoulder, and then a robin makes a nest in his hair. Soon Dad is covered in animals, getting hit by kites, becoming soaked in the rain, and standing outside in the dark. Each provocation, however, is met with Madeleine’s assurance that trees don’t mind these trivialities. And when it’s time to go inside, the child agrees, “We definitely are not trees. But that’s OK.” After all, they got to be outside all day! Agee eschews his usual penchant for peculiarities with this sweet tale. Dad’s the straight man here, and Agee is unafraid to have him deadpan a look right at viewers when situations become particularly wacky. Accompanied by textured, collagelike visuals, this is an amusing little ode to the extent to which dads sometimes go above and beyond. Madeleine and Dad are light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A fun paean to fathers willing to go the extra mile for their nature-loving kids. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780593531372
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Rocky Pond Books/Penguin
Review Posted Online: March 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2023
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