Blends appealing art with gentle rhymes for storytime magic.
A smiling arachnid surfs a drainpipe surge.
The fuzzy, chunky, charcoal-gray spider’s admiring audience gathers: A pastel-pink-striped worm peers curiously, while an adult and child beetle look on as they shelter from the rain under a red-and-white-spotted mushroom. More friends arrive, among them a blue-shelled snail and a ladybug, and the gleeful Itsy Bitsy Spider invites them all to join in the fun. But after they sensibly realize that this is a potentially perilous game and decline, Itsy Bitsy becomes sad. Admirably sensitive to their friend’s feelings, the critters “put their heads together” and cleverly adapt a leaf to serve as an “Itsy Bitsy boat.” Not only can they all have fun together, but their collective creative powers also lead to the surprise appearance of a Bug Water Park, with a long spiral slide and other pleasures. A rainbow collection of pastel flowers and gigantic mushrooms forms a pleasing backdrop in this close-up garden excursion. Cabrera employs a naïve style, with thin layers of color. There’s no shortage of versions of this nursery rhyme, but Cabrera’s choice to build on the story, the themes of kindness and inclusion, and the delightful, kid-friendly art make this one special. It’s a strong read-aloud option, with illustrations that will show well at a distance for classroom or library audiences—and the titular spider’s so fetching that even avowed arachnophobes will change their tune.
Blends appealing art with gentle rhymes for storytime magic. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Aug. 19, 2025
ISBN: 9780823459605
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: April 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
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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