A cheery singalong to share.
A reimagined version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” with some hoppy new friends.
Twelve colorful amphibians pass a bright-yellow present from one to the next while also getting help from various woodland creatures along the way. Each verse introduces a new natural wintry item such as “ten holly leaves” or “four snowy flakes.” There are even “two rockin’ robins” who join in the fun (which hints at the book’s original publication country of England, where robins can be found all year). The frogs are collecting all of the items for a very special, festive reveal. The song scans well except for the inclusion of the frogs’ names (“On the eighth day of Christmas / Tate frog gave to Kleine”), which can sometimes trip the tongue. These Santa hat–adorned amphibians, who first appeared in Robinson and Stanley’s Ten Little Yoga Frogs, a U.K. title that hasn't yet been published in the United States, strike curious poses against the snowy terrain, reminiscent of their moves in the earlier book. Snow-dusted pines, icy lakes, and frosted hillsides create cozy backdrops for this early concept counting book. The yellow present is ultimately opened (thank goodness, the only suspense found in the narrative is resolved) at the final festivities. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A cheery singalong to share. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-913639-96-9
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Catch a Star/New Frontier
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
A warm and welcome story for emerging readers and their families.
Pumpkins star in this family-centered early reader.
Sketched in rhyming, easy-to-read couplets, this familiar autumn setting is made even warmer by the sweet family that is making a trip to the pumpkin farm. “Sunny day. Pack a lunch. / In the treetops squirrels munch.” So begins the story of a black mother and father and their young son and daughter. They find their special pumpkins and return home for carving, just in time for trick-or-treating. Mother and father are shown walking hand in hand or gently guiding their youngsters, who are very excited to pick out the perfect gourd. Read aloud, the predictable rhyme scans well, making this a book for emerging readers to read over and over, gaining confidence each time. The full-color illustrations, full of oranges and yellows, match the words, providing important visual cues. Little ones will laugh when the younger brother initially finds a huge pumpkin and rolls it over the hill like a bowling ball. “Thump! Thump! Thump! Then… / Uh-oh!” Eventually, he finds one just the right size for carving. Children of color are remarkably absent in the easy-reader stacks, so it’s an especially welcome treat to see them in this rural setting. Preschool and kindergarten teachers will want to add this to their collections.
A warm and welcome story for emerging readers and their families. (Early reader. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-553-51341-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: April 28, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Fans of this popular series will find this a rewarding addition to family Easter celebrations.
Bergren and Bryant attempt to explain Easter to young children in a gentle, nonthreatening manner, with partial success.
When Little Cub questions her father about Easter, Papa Bear explains the religious significance of the holiday in various symbolic ways to his cub. He uses familiar things from their world, such as an egg and a fallen tree, to draw parallels with aspects of the Christian story. Papa Bear discusses his close relationships with Jesus and God, encouraging Little Cub to communicate with God on her own. The theme focuses on the renewal of life and the positive aspects of loving God and Jesus. Easter is presented as a celebration of eternal life, but the story skirts the issue of the crucifixion entirely. Some adults will find this an inadequate or even dishonest approach to the Easter story, but others will appreciate the calm and soothing text as a way to begin to understand a difficult subject. Bryant’s charming watercolor illustrations of the polar bear family, their cozy home and snowy forest scenes add to the overall mellow effect.
Fans of this popular series will find this a rewarding addition to family Easter celebrations. (Religion/picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-307-73072-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: WaterBrook
Review Posted Online: Dec. 11, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2013
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