by Jill McDonald ; illustrated by Jill McDonald ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 8, 2016
While McDonald’s art is delightful and the Hello, World! series appears to be promising, she should stick to topics that are...
Two youngsters learn about weather and the clothing it requires in this simple introduction that launches the Hello, World! series.
On alternating pages, each child looks out a window to identify the weather, and, on the following double-page spread, the same child chooses appropriate apparel. This duo, one a light-brown–skinned child with pigtails and the other a white kid with short hair, walks young readers through the seasons in McDonald’s jewel-toned cartoons that appear to use collage and watercolor. Written as simple questions and answers, this format provides just enough information for curious toddlers. Solar System, a companion title also by McDonald, is less successful. While her playful style is a perfect fit for young weather watchers, stargazers may be more confused than edified. Some of the planets are difficult to identify without the text, Saturn’s rings are oddly stylized, and a comet looks more like a fish than a celestial body.
While McDonald’s art is delightful and the Hello, World! series appears to be promising, she should stick to topics that are close to home. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 8, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-553-52101-6
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: March 29, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
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by Ashley Evanson ; illustrated by Ashley Evanson
by Ashley Evanson ; illustrated by Ashley Evanson
by Jill McDonald ; illustrated by Jill McDonald
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by Elizabeth Spurr ; illustrated by Manelle Oliphant ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2016
A gentle outing for children who are ready for stories of everyday life rather than just objects to name.
A brief rhyming board book for toddlers.
Spurr's earlier board books (In the Garden and At the Beach, both 2012; In the Woods, 2013) featured an adventuresome little boy. Her new slice-of-life story stars an equally joyful little girl who takes pleasure in flying a new kite while not venturing far off the walkway. Oliphant's expressive and light-filled watercolors clearly depict the child's emotions—eager excitement on the way to the park, delight at the kite's flight in the wind, shock when the kite breaks free, dejection, and finally relief and amazement. The rhymes work, though uneven syllable counts in some stanzas interrupt the smooth flow of the verse. The illustrations depict the child with her mass of windblown curls, brown skin, and pronounced facial features as African-American. Her guardian (presumably her mother) is also brown-skinned. It is refreshing to see an African-American family settled comfortably in a suburban setting with single-family homes and a park where the family dog does not need to be leashed.
A gentle outing for children who are ready for stories of everyday life rather than just objects to name. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-56145-854-7
Page Count: 22
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
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by Elizabeth Spurr ; illustrated by Manelle Oliphant
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by Elizabeth Spurr ; illustrated by Manelle Oliphant
by Laurel Snyder & illustrated by Jui Ishida ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2012
A wholesome and gentle story that's pleasant and soothing for little ones of all faiths, though it will have extra resonance...
The wonder of the natural world becomes more meaningful through active engagement with it.
A young family’s camping vacation makes two significant overnight stops, one at the seaside and one further inland in a lush green field. As parents set up tents, brother and sister feel the hot sand, marvel at the wide waves, breathe in the salty air and hear the wind’s English/Hebrew whisper of “good night, laila tov.” Similarly, while parents plant new tree seedlings in the field, children gather berries, are awed by field mice, surprised by bees and ultimately fall asleep to the rhythmic pattern of rain that mimics the “good night, laila tov” message. Bright, often full double-page scenes in deeply rich, opaque hues on textured paper bring out the natural essence of this sweet bedtime piece told in lilting rhyme. “We drove out to the oceanside. / The sand was hot. The waves were wide. / Tall grasses swayed. The salty air / Was soft and still and everywhere.” The continual assurance of its repetitive refrain, found on every other page, complements the theme of caring for nature’s beauty. Though the Judaic concept of tikkun olam, or repairing the world, is not explicitly stated within the text, it pervades the whole.
A wholesome and gentle story that's pleasant and soothing for little ones of all faiths, though it will have extra resonance in Jewish households. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 27, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-375-86868-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2011
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by Laurel Snyder ; illustrated by Dan Santat
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by Laurel Snyder ; illustrated by Emily Hughes
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