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STARRY NIGHT, HOLD ME TIGHT

Name: STARRY NIGHT, HOLD ME TIGHT
Author: Jean Sagendorph
ISBN: 978-0-7624-4066-5

by Jean Sagendorph & illustrated by Kim Siebold ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2011

This doesn’t even come close to the many great bedtime/lullaby books out there with a similar “Mommy loves you” theme.

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This debut is a treacly tribute to a mother polar bear’s love for her child.

Gentle, rhyming verse that too often fails in its rhythm both outlines how a mother’s love helps her child grow and describes how the child spends his day. “Big bear hugs, morning, noon, and night. / Momma’s love helps Baby soar like a kite. / Adventures will help Baby Bear learn and grow. / Even when he plays in the snow.” From sliding on the snow and making snow angels to learning how to share and put away toys, Sagendorph tries to pack too much into a story that is already lacking in cohesion—instead of following the pair sequentially through a day, it feels like a hodgepodge of snapshots and lessons. And with verses such as, “When Baby Bear puts away his toys, / Momma Bear is filled with lots of joy,” the lackluster text fails to impress. Siebold’s illustrations are simple in a lovely way, suiting the youngest of listeners. The barest of details outline the bears, and the spreads are primarily white and shades of greenish-blue.

This doesn’t even come close to the many great bedtime/lullaby books out there with a similar “Mommy loves you” theme. (Picture book. 2-5)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011

ISBN: 978-0-7624-4066-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Running Press Kids

Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2011

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK MAKES A FRIEND
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
TIME FOR SCHOOL, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S VALENTINE
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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ANIMAL SHAPES

by Christopher Silas Neal ; illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2018

Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable.

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You think you know shapes? Animals? Blend them together, and you might see them both a little differently!

What a mischievous twist on a concept book! With wordplay and a few groan-inducing puns, Neal creates connections among animals and shapes that are both unexpected and so seemingly obvious that readers might wonder why they didn’t see them all along. Of course, a “lazy turtle” meeting an oval would create the side-splitting combo of a “SLOW-VAL.” A dramatic page turn transforms a deeply saturated, clean-lined green oval by superimposing a head and turtle shell atop, with watery blue ripples completing the illusion. Minimal backgrounds and sketchy, impressionistic detailing keep the focus right on the zany animals. Beginning with simple shapes, the geometric forms become more complicated as the book advances, taking readers from a “soaring bird” that meets a triangle to become a “FLY-ANGLE” to a “sleepy lion” nonagon “YAWN-AGON.” Its companion text, Animal Colors, delves into color theory, this time creating entirely hybrid animals, such as the “GREEN WHION” with maned head and whale’s tail made from a “blue whale and a yellow lion.” It’s a compelling way to visualize color mixing, and like Animal Shapes, it’s got verve. Who doesn’t want to shout out that a yellow kangaroo/green moose blend is a “CHARTREUSE KANGAMOOSE”?

Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable. (Board book. 2-4)