Alligator family and friends gather for a Passover Seder.
In the Florida Everglades, three alligators, likely a mother and a father-and-son duo who both wear kippot, prepare for the holiday meal by laying out a Seder plate, hunting for chametz, and putting the gefilte fish on the table. A trio of “gator guests” arrive, two adult gators with a toddler in tow, bearing wine. The celebration continues with the lighting of the candles, the blessing of the wine, the four questions, the telling of the Passover story, eating matzah, and the hunt for the afikomen. “Gator” conveniently makes a pleasant sonic echo with “Seder,” helping to propel the quatrains along: “It’s time for The Four Questions, / asked by Baby Gator. / Then comes the Passover story, / as at every family seder.” The gators are a happy bunch with expressive eyes and perpetual if toothy grins in Elissambura’s jewel-toned images dominated by blues and greens. Just enough Seder traditions are presented for a toddler audience, but few details of the Passover story are described. Compositions are busy and frequently presented in separate verso and recto layouts; combined with the lack of contrast, these design choices skew the audience somewhat older.
A cheerful introduction to the holiday for youngsters, both reptile and human. (Board book. 3-4)Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5415-6041-3
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Kar-Ben
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
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Two outings and a game of hide-and-seek in between add up to a perfect day for Peppa and friends in this four-spread TV-series spinoff.
First Peppa and her bubble-gum–pink family ride to the park (“Vroom!” says little George) for a healthy picnic packed by Daddy Pig. Then it’s home for playtime with Danny Dog and Suzy Sheep, until Grandpa Pig arrives with a boat big enough for all (“Ship ahoy!”). Children can embellish this stripped-down plotline on the foldout playscape attached to the back cover. All of the figures in the flat, very simple illustrations also come as punch-outs on a loose sheet, and there are corresponding slots in the detachable pop-up car and boat. Fans of the British series, which runs on Nick Jr. in the United States, may experience several moments of pleasure before the card-stock vehicles are crushed.
More kit than story, with some assembly required. (sticker sheet) (Pop-up/picture book. 3-4)Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6825-9
Page Count: 8
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Sept. 25, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2013
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Young children won't understand the metaphors but will appreciate the sentiment made clear by the repeated, Halloween-themed declarations of love in Wan's latest board book.
Each of the seven spreads presents an endearment illustrated by an object drawn with heavy outlines and just enough detail to invoke its essential characteristics. Lest it become too maudlin, between the “sugary, sweet candy corn” and a “purr-fect, cuddly kitty” is a “wild, messy monster.” Wan manages to make each drawing expressive and distinctive while relying on just a few shapes—crescents or circles for eyes, dots or ovals accenting cheeks. Although each spread stands alone, there are quiet connections. For example, the orange of the pumpkin is repeated in the candy corn, and the purple that adorns kitty's hat and bow becomes the prominent color on the next spread, setting off the friendly white ghost nicely. The same purple is used for the spider's body on the next to last spread. Subtle, shadowed backgrounds repeat the patterns found elsewhere in the book. For example, the background of the page with the kitty includes pumpkins, hearts, and hats and bows like the ones kitty is wearing.
While this is not an essential purchase, most little pumpkins will love being told, “Baby, I'm batty for you!” (Board book. 6 mos.-3)Pub Date: June 28, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-545-88092-3
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 14, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
Categories: CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS
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