With so many high-quality books on the animal-sounds bookshelf, this one’s easy to skip
Young readers are introduced to well-known animals and the sounds they make.
Sweet, whimsical illustrations in pastel colors introduce a dog, a cat, a frog, a cow, a mouse, a pig, a bird, a sheep, and a rooster, each animal having its own double-page spread. On the verso, a simple statement accompanies each depicted animal: “The cat says ‘meow’ ”; “The frog says ‘ribbit’ ”; “The pig says ‘oink.’ ” Opposite these statements, the animal is depicted performing some playful action: riding a bike, dancing, singing, dressing up as a ghost. Unfortunately, as there is neither rhyme, rhythm, nor logic to connect the two sides, the text falls flat, and readers are more likely to be left mystified than delighted. For example: “The dog says ‘woof.’ / Even when it’s riding a bike.” Or: “The cow says ‘moo.’ / Even on Halloween.” Or: “The bird says ‘tweet.’ / Even when it’s being tickled.” The result is a feeling of arbitrary silliness rather than artful whimsy. In the penultimate spread all the animals make an appearance as they wave at the readers: “They all wave to you. / Even when the book is over!” The final spread acts as a review, with pictures standing in for nouns, rebus-fashion.
With so many high-quality books on the animal-sounds bookshelf, this one’s easy to skip . (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: May 15, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-58536-391-9
Page Count: 22
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: May 21, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to.
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In this board book designed for the littlest llama lovers, adorable-as-ever Llama Llama (Llama Llama Red Pajama, 2005, etc.) gets ready for some Halloween fun.
Dewdney’s characteristic spare, apt rhymes convey a lot of action in effortlessly readable fashion. A charming and simple introduction to Halloween and its associated activities, this title finds little Llama Llama choosing and carving a pumpkin, pouring candy into bowls, picking out a costume and, finally, trick-or-treating. The costume Llama Llama decides to don—pointy teeth and a black mask and cape—is enough to frighten and fool his friends but not readers, who will immediately recognize and smile at the silly little mini-Dracula. With Dewdney’s characters as expressive as ever, young readers will be drawn right into the holiday fun, eagerly anticipating which costume Llama Llama will choose and excited to see him scare his friends and score some candy at trick-or-treat. In the equally appealing companion title, Llama Llama Jingle Bells,the little fellow gets ready for Christmas, baking and decorating some cookies in anticipation of Santa’s arrival. This simple holiday title will win Llama Llama new fans, and old friends will want to add it and its companion to their collections. (Board book. 1-2)
Pub Date: Aug. 19, 2014
ISBN: 978-0451469786
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2015
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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