A story with an important message and a happy ending, suitable for even the youngest readers.
A compassionate, educational picture book about a rescued collie who finds a loving home.
Based on the story of the author’s own pet, this picture book depicts how S.J. was saved from a “puppy mill,” in which dogs were harshly treated and spent much of their lives crammed into filthy, crowded, wire cages. S.J. lives there with his nine siblings, as well as his mother, father, grandparents, uncles and cousins. The owners of the mill sell puppies to pet stores, often taking the puppies from their parents before the puppies are old enough to take care of themselves. Dogs are shown enduring extreme weather in their outdoor cages, without toys, water dishes, warm beds, or human care or affection. One day, several people from an “Animal Helpers” truck rescue seven lucky adult collies. Young S.J. watches as several family members, including his parents, grandparents, and two sisters are chosen over him; just when all seems lost, S.J. places his paw on a rescuer’s hand and turns his own fate around. This picture book effectively teaches children compassion for animals and will also be enjoyed by parents and educators. Although the book aims to raise awareness about an unpleasant subject—the terrible plight of dogs in substandard, inhumane dog-breeding facilities—Carr makes her points gently and effectively throughout, helped along by Carabetta’s fine color illustrations, which convey the shifting emotions of the dogs beautifully.
A story with an important message and a happy ending, suitable for even the youngest readers.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: 978-1478312758
Page Count: 60
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: Nov. 21, 2012
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
BOOK REVIEW
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BOOK REVIEW
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
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