“My trip, by me, Miss Mouse.” The ever-cheerful rag mouse first introduced in Miss Mouse’s Day (2000) here accompanies her youthful owner on a plane trip with Mum. Bright illustrations and a simple text keep the narrative focused on those events that are most meaningful to small children: checking in the luggage, sending belongings (including Miss Mouse!) through the X-ray machine, the excitement of takeoff, and then the inevitable boredom of a long flight—relieved by a newfound friend in the row in front. Brightly colored sequential panels illustrate the progress of the trip and are particularly effective when depicting the cramped confines of the plane’s interior, where one seat’s space intrudes into the next. Although the text is nominally in Miss Mouse’s voice, the voice of her owner, a feisty, blond preschool-age girl, occasionally breaks through, as when the little girl leaves Miss Mouse in the bathroom: “Miss Mouse? / MISS MOUSE! / MISS MOUSE! / WHERE IS MISS MOUSE?!? / Here I am!” This moment of great tension illustrates Ormerod’s near-perfect understanding of the relationship children have with their inanimate friends: the little girl moves effortlessly in and out of her toy’s identity in a manner that may be somewhat disorienting to an adult reader but makes perfect sense to a child. An entirely successful illustration of an experience common to many small children right down to the effervescent end, in which our intrepid travelers, stripped down to short sleeves and sandals, wonder, “Will she be waiting for us?” Of course: it’s “Granny!” (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: July 31, 2001
ISBN: 0-688-17870-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2001
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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