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A NEW CHICK FOR CHICKIES

Especially suited for those tots expecting a new little sibling (or two, or four!) of their own.

Trasler’s bubbly Chickies are back (Bedtime for Chickies, 2014; Pottytime for Chickies, 2014, etc.), and their ranks are quickly growing.

At first, the Chickies are not pleased by the attention their brand-new little brother is garnering from their caretakers, Pig, Cow and Sheep. They admonish the little guy: “Stop that dancing! Stop that jig. / Get your feathers off our pig.” Pig takes their protest in stride, responding, “Don’t be worried. This is fine. / Now we have a conga line.” In the same vein, the Chickies warn their sibling not to play ball with Cow, who answers that they shouldn't worry because now they “have a beach ball team.” They don’t want him singing with Sheep either, but he placates them with the idea that they now have a five-piece band. The Chickies agree that this is all for the best indeed, until—“craaack”—they get another brother and then a few more in quick succession. The simple text effectively dispels jealousy with humor, and the illustrations—with the simply rendered yet expressive Chickies and their goofy guardians—increase its appeal. As with previous Chickie titles, the catchy rhythms, repetition and familiar topic will make this one a toddler favorite.

Especially suited for those tots expecting a new little sibling (or two, or four!) of their own. (Board book. 1-4)

Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-06-227471-7

Page Count: 24

Publisher: HarperFestival

Review Posted Online: Nov. 3, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2015

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S SPRINGTIME

From the Little Blue Truck series

Uncomplicated fun that sets readers up for the earlier, more-complicated books to come.

Little Blue Truck and his pal Toad meet friends old and new on a springtime drive through the country.

This lift-the-flap, interactive entry in the popular Little Blue Truck series lacks the narrative strength and valuable life lessons of the original Little Blue Truck (2008) and its sequel, Little Blue Truck Leads the Way (2009). Both of those books, published for preschoolers rather than toddlers, featured rich storylines, dramatic, kinetic illustrations, and simple but valuable life lessons—the folly of taking oneself too seriously, the importance of friends, and the virtue of taking turns, for example. At about half the length and with half as much text as the aforementioned titles, this volume is a much quicker read. Less a story than a vernal celebration, the book depicts a bucolic drive through farmland and encounters with various animals and their young along the way. Beautifully rendered two-page tableaux teem with butterflies, blossoms, and vibrant pastel, springtime colors. Little Blue greets a sheep standing in the door of a barn: “Yoo-hoo, Sheep! / Beep-beep! / What’s new?” Folding back the durable, card-stock flap reveals the barn’s interior and an adorable set of twin lambs. Encounters with a duck and nine ducklings, a cow with a calf, a pig with 10 (!) piglets, a family of bunnies, and a chicken with a freshly hatched chick provide ample opportunity for counting and vocabulary work.

Uncomplicated fun that sets readers up for the earlier, more-complicated books to come. (Board book. 1-4)

Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018

ISBN: 978-0-544-93809-0

Page Count: 16

Publisher: HMH Books

Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

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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