by Jane Foster ; illustrated by Jane Foster ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 3, 2016
Lovely, modern, age-appropriate design makes this and its companions excellent choices for sharing with babies and toddlers.
This sturdy, fresh, and simple board book, along with two simultaneously publishing companions, builds on Foster's earlier success (Jane Foster's 1 2 3, 2015).
Each double-page spread introduces a color illustrated by two easily recognizable images. The only words are the names of the color and the objects, neatly suiting them to the youngest children. Patterned backgrounds are a lighter shade of the named color. Objects are outlined in black, with enough detail to hint at texture in the otherwise flat, iconic images. The book’s whimsy (flowers sprouting from the gray elephant's trunk, for instance) is not overdone, making it appear fresh rather than forced. All the images are repeated on the final page and end panel. First Words, published simultaneously, presents just one word and one picture per page; it shares some animals and objects with Colors though with subtle changes, so side-by-side examination is another learning opportunity. Each spread in Black and White places one black-and-white animal against a colored background, with a two- or three-word description on the opposite page in clear white type against a black background. The one exception to the animal theme is a trio of stylized flowers.
Lovely, modern, age-appropriate design makes this and its companions excellent choices for sharing with babies and toddlers. (Board book. 0-2)Pub Date: May 3, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0256-6
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
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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 Rose Rossner ; illustrated by Jessica Gibson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 2, 2021
<p>Perfectly fine but nothing new.</p>
Caregiver-child love abounds in this rhyming board book full of animal puns.
One thing’s for certain, there’s plenty of sweet (and groanworthy) sentiments in this book. Rossner writes, “Giving HOGS and kisses / sends me to the moon!” and, “I’m such a lucky DUCK. / You really QUACK me up!” The book progresses entirely in this fashion, with a new animal pair and pun with each page turn. It reads well as a book for a caregiver to share with a lap-sitting child. On that mark, it succeeds in providing plenty of opportunities for giggles and snuggles. That said, at times the meter is forced, making the cadence a bit stilted, and the cuddles/bubbles rhyme is a dubious one. This is an issue for a book that will almost solely be read aloud. Gibson’s illustrations are very charming; the animals and insects with big eyes and expressive faces have high appeal. The warmth of the animals’ embraces and cuddles translates well from the page, inviting the same snuggles from readers. Decorated eggs appear on each page, and the bunny pair from the cover features prominently. Overall, the concept and message of the book are high interest and age-appropriate, but it doesn’t stand out from the very crowded shelf of “I love you, little one!” books similar to it.
<p>Perfectly fine but nothing new.</p> (Board book. 6 mos.-2)Pub Date: Feb. 2, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-7282-2343-8
Page Count: 25
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: May 18, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2021
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by Rose Rossner ; illustrated by Morgan Huff
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by Rose Rossner & Brooke Backsen ; illustrated by AndoTwin
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