A refreshing take on the division of household labor that will appeal to little ones and their grown-ups.
While Mommy is at work, a boy and his father complete chores with an imaginative twist.
Tom is eager to play, but Daddy is overwhelmed with household tasks. When Daddy appoints Tom his assistant, the little boy decides that the dish brush is a pirate sword, and away they go, cleaning, organizing, and having fun. The “chore pirates” land on a tropical island and reunite “sock bird” pairs, bulldoze a volcano made up of messy toys, and even concoct a pot of magic. Klungel’s story is irresistibly playful. The illustrations are detailed and true to life. A messy kitchen table covered in everything from children’s artwork to an apple core feels like something out of any family’s home. Each new adventure is complete with a fitting ensemble, like safari gear or hard hats, with Tom’s little sister tucked into a baby carrier strapped to Daddy’s chest or back. Not only does the story show that chores are a necessary part of this family’s life, but they also depict Daddy, not Mommy, taking the lead. Daddy and Tom’s exploits serve as wonderful ideas for caregivers wanting to include little ones in these jobs at home. Mommy has brown skin, Daddy and Tom’s sister are light-skinned, and Tom has light brown skin. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A refreshing take on the division of household labor that will appeal to little ones and their grown-ups. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: June 13, 2023
ISBN: 9781605378411
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clavis
Review Posted Online: March 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2023
Another high-volume trail of victories for the red, toothy, roaring two-or-so-year-old introduced in Dinosaur vs. Bedtime (2008). Stoutly denying any need to use the potty, Dinosaur “conquers” a pitcher of lemonade, a lawn sprinkler, a pool toy, puddles and even a three-juice-box lunch in succession, each time exclaiming, “Dinosaur wins! And doesn’t need to use the potty!”—but when that victory dance suddenly turns into a “potty dance,” can he hold it long enough to reach the toilet? Children who have felt the pressure themselves won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough to see if he makes it…and he does, as the final (discreetly posed) scene and Dinosaur’s blissful—and still spike-toothed—smile reveal. “Close one, Dinosaur! Real, real close.” Largely printed in display type, the text is as punchy and emphatic as the big, simple illustrations. A shoo-in for storytime fave status and an excellent title to supplement the standard, more earnest potty-training fare. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4231-3339-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Corduroy’s pocket has nothing on Max’s. While sainted big sister Ruby scurries busily about restoring order to his gloriously cluttered room, Max surreptitiously rescues treasures from the trash, including the dirt from his Power City Rocker Crusher dump truck, an open tube of “Miracle Bubbles,” ants escaped from the ant farm, an ancient Easter egg, and a half-melted Popsicle. Wells hasn’t changed her stumpy sibs, aside from making them even bigger and more portly, but here she places them amidst low relief collages constructed from, among other media, paper, feathers, gravel, rubber ants, and large, brightly colored blobs of—something. The effect isn’t entirely successful; though everything bursts from Max’s bulging pocket in a grand climactic spill, it hasn’t mixed or smeared together at all, making a mess that is, paradoxically, very clean-looking. Still, it’s a good try, as droll as ever, and sure to draw plenty of giggles from the burgeoning Max and Ruby fan club. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-670-89218-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2000
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