by Jamie McClaine & illustrated by April Goodman Willy & developed by JAFS, Inc. ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 8, 2011
Subliminal fun that is likely to increase kids’ interest in dental hygiene.
Due to neglect, Moose’s teeth have become a green, slimy mess. Will sparkling moose paste restore his pearly whites?
This whimsical tale about the dangers of tooth decay was adapted from a traditional book originally released in 2003. On the opening screen, a moose saunters out with a toothbrush in hand and a towel slung around his shoulders. Touch him, and he’ll dance a little jig and continue on his way while the narrator delves in to the story. There are 11 different screens, each one displaying as few as four and as many as 16 successive lines of text. Kids will enjoy many of the interactive elements, which include flinging green goo that’s hanging from the moose’s teeth; helping him floss; creating a screen full of bubbles by helping him brush; or making the moose spit after he’s finished rinsing. The app's weak link is the text. The rhyming couplets often feel forced, and there are several spots where certain phrases sound strangely Yoda-like (as in, “untangled they were”), leaving the impression that they were strong-armed into the text. Still, it’s a cute story, the illustrations are adorable and the interaction/navigation are first-rate. Besides, who can resist a clogging moose?
Subliminal fun that is likely to increase kids’ interest in dental hygiene. (iPad storybook app. 2-6)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2011
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: JAFS, Inc.
Review Posted Online: Oct. 30, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2011
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by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 23, 2014
Little Blue’s fans will enjoy the animal sounds and counting opportunities, but it’s the sparkling lights on the truck’s own...
The sturdy Little Blue Truck is back for his third adventure, this time delivering Christmas trees to his band of animal pals.
The truck is decked out for the season with a Christmas wreath that suggests a nose between headlights acting as eyeballs. Little Blue loads up with trees at Toad’s Trees, where five trees are marked with numbered tags. These five trees are counted and arithmetically manipulated in various ways throughout the rhyming story as they are dropped off one by one to Little Blue’s friends. The final tree is reserved for the truck’s own use at his garage home, where he is welcomed back by the tree salestoad in a neatly circular fashion. The last tree is already decorated, and Little Blue gets a surprise along with readers, as tiny lights embedded in the illustrations sparkle for a few seconds when the last page is turned. Though it’s a gimmick, it’s a pleasant surprise, and it fits with the retro atmosphere of the snowy country scenes. The short, rhyming text is accented with colored highlights, red for the animal sounds and bright green for the numerical words in the Christmas-tree countdown.
Little Blue’s fans will enjoy the animal sounds and counting opportunities, but it’s the sparkling lights on the truck’s own tree that will put a twinkle in a toddler’s eyes. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-544-32041-3
Page Count: 24
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2014
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by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry
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by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph
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by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph
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.
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
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More by Alice Schertle
BOOK REVIEW
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry
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by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph
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by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph
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