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THE LITTLE BIRD WHO LOST HIS SONG

Name: THE LITTLE BIRD WHO LOST HIS SONG
Author: Jedda Robaard
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0093-7

by Jedda Robaard ; illustrated by Jedda Robaard ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 5, 2015

With so many exquisite titles currently in board-book format, caregivers can safely skip this and its companion.

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Little Bird looks everywhere for his lost song.

When his best efforts fail to produce even a “cheep,” Little Bird checks his music box, but his song is not there. Next, he checks the radio, a record player (really!), a clock, and the teakettle, but he doesn’t find his song in those places either. Strangely enough, while readers learn that these items don’t contain or produce Little Bird’s song, they don’t get to hear what sounds they do make (with the exception of the teakettle’s “whistling sound”). Then, in the bewildering conclusion to this tale, Little Bird finds that he can chirp again because his friends have joined forces to knit a long scarf to keep him warm. There is no previous indication that Little Bird is cold, and this odd resolution seems designed to wrap up the tale with a lesson on the benefits of friendship, a valuable lesson indeed but one that is here unearned and misplaced. Published simultaneously, The Little Bear Who Lost Her Way also suffers from an unconvincing and less-than-compelling storyline. The soft, appealing illustrations and lift-the-flap interactivity serve both titles well but are not enough to tip the scales in their favor.

With so many exquisite titles currently in board-book format, caregivers can safely skip this and its companion. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: May 5, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-4998-0093-7

Page Count: 10

Publisher: Little Bee Books

Review Posted Online: May 11, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
IF MY MOM WERE A BIRD
by Jedda Robaard ; illustrated by Jedda Robaard

- BOOK REVIEW
MILO AND MILLIE
by Jedda Robaard ; illustrated by Jedda Robaard

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SMILE, POUT-POUT FISH

by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 7, 2014

An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to.

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This simplified version of Diesen and Hanna’s The Pout-Pout Fish (2008) is appropriate for babies and toddlers.

Brief, rhyming text tells the story of a sullen fish cheered up with a kiss. A little pink sea creature pokes his head out of a hole in the sea bottom to give the gloomy fish some advice: “Smile, Mr. Fish! / You look so down // With your glum-glum face / And your pout-pout frown.” He explains that there’s no reason to be worried, scared, sad or mad and concludes: “How about a smooch? / And a cheer-up wish? // Now you look happy: / What a smile, Mr. Fish!” Simple and sweet, this tale offers the lesson that sometimes, all that’s needed for a turnaround in mood is some cheer and encouragement to change our perspective. The clean, uncluttered illustrations are kept simple, except for the pout-pout fish’s features, which are delightfully expressive. Little ones will easily recognize and likely try to copy the sad, scared and angry looks that cross the fish’s face.

An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-374-37084-8

Page Count: 12

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
THE WORRY-WORRY WHALE AND THE CLASSROOM JITTERS
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

- BOOK REVIEW
POUT-POUT FISH
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

- BOOK REVIEW
THE POUT-POUT FISH AND THE MAD, MAD DAY
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

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MERRY CHRISTMAS, LITTLE POOKIE

by Sandra Boynton ; illustrated by Sandra Boynton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 18, 2018

The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer...

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Seven years after Little Pookie (2011) first appeared, this popular piglet is finally celebrating Christmas.

“Oh Pookie! Come look! It’s beginning to snow,” says a maternal-looking pig. But where did Pookie go? Past the Christmas tree, to put on a snowsuit of course. Pookie’s ever cheerful mama is willing to go out too. After all, “It’s a magical time to be walking with you.” When she observes, “Our noses are frozen. It’s time to go in,” Pookie protests in typical toddler style: “But I’m not c-c-c-cold!” The next three pages highlight indoor holiday preparations—making paper garlands, baking and decorating cookies. The rhyming text mirrors the spare illustrations. A spidery type that emulates handwriting makes it clear when Pookie is speaking. Then “the doorbell is ringing. / Our family and friends have arrived for the singing.” The second-to-last spread shows Pookie, mama, and six other pigs—and Boynton’s requisite chicken—singing (“Con brio”), “MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! AND A HAP-PY NEW YEAR!” Conveniently, this text is placed beneath the musical notation. Finally Pookie hangs a stocking and goes off to bed without any fuss, anticipating presents on Christmas morning.

The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer or an ideal Christmas Eve read to share with other little piggies. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)