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
Though its heart is in the right place, this tale doesn’t come close to the artistry of Kevin Henkes’ Owen (1993), still the...
A little bear struggles with separation anxiety as he prepares to go to school for the first time—without Blankie.
“Edward and Blankie met on the first day of Edward.” The treacly text goes on to describe how they’ve been inseparable ever since, playing, napping and cuddling together. Blankie mops up Edward’s tears when he’s sad, and Edward gives him a bath in the washing machine after an unfortunate encounter with an orange Popsicle. When Edward informs the tumbling blanket that he misses it, his mother remarks that it’s good practice for when he goes to school. Edward is aghast. Mama explains that “[s]chool is a GREAT place to make new friends and try new things,” telling Edward that like Blankie, she will be sad when he goes off to school but happy for him too. Edward and Mama brainstorm ways Blankie can keep busy, and thus steeled, Edward and Blankie turn in. Richmond depicts Edward as an animate teddy bear and Blankie as a blue fabric rectangle of inconsistent size and softness. Amateurish-looking rather than childlike, the watercolor illustrations are so splotchy and ill-defined that it’s often hard to distinguish Blankie from, say, Edward’s sheets or clothing.
Though its heart is in the right place, this tale doesn’t come close to the artistry of Kevin Henkes’ Owen (1993), still the gold standard. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: March 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4022-9715-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Jan. 28, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Bright-eyed, neatly drawn little animals in human dress crowd three successive settings from morning to night in this low-key seek-and-find import originally published in Germany as three separate, stand-alone titles.
Each section opens with a pictorial cast page that introduces Dr. and Mrs. Bunny, their two little bunnies and about 50 different or recurring fellow residents—including Benny Badger or, as he’s repeatedly styled, “that pesky/sneaky/lazy/unruly Benny Badger.” Teckentrup provides three questions on each spread as invitations to initial engagements with the pictures. These range from “Oh no! Who is slipping on a banana peel?” or “Where is Henry Hound fishing now?” to repeated heads-ups that Benny can be caught in some misbehavior like lounging lazily on a bench or trying to steal a chicken. Viewers who keep looking will see plenty of other activity, though aside from the odd small fire or other minor mishap, the action runs to easily identifiable playtimes, farm chores, meals, sightseeing and other quotidian occupations. There’s plenty to reward nose-to-page viewing, but even Richard Scarry fans may find this a little dull. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4521-1700-3
Page Count: 56
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 10, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2014
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