by John Butler & illustrated by John Butler ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2003
Butler (Hush, Little Ones, 2002, etc.) leads young readers on an alliterative tour of creatures. From pudgy swines to enormous proboscideans, Butler covers critters big and small. The repetitive rhythm of the tale is ideal for young readers, simply naming an animal and describing a response. “If you see a prickly porcupine . . . say, ‘Ouch!’ ” Starting with only the most adorable of creatures, the tale begins with a heavy dose of cuteness in which curious kittens romp while petite door mice slumber. Savvy readers will soon realize that surprises are in store as Butler slyly interjects some of the less savory members of the species, with “slimy slugs” slipping past a “pretty peacock.” The fun culminates in the arrival of a cantankerous crocodile, to which readers are prompted to shriek (what else of course) “HELP!” The final page depicts all of the animals along with the appropriate exclamation. The delicately detailed illustrations are quite wonderful, though a little unrealistic in some cases. Situated against a plain creamy background, each intricately drawn creature is an exquisite naturalistic rendering, requiring no extra fanfare. Perfect for preschoolers and younger, Butler’s tale easily lends itself to group read aloud settings, with each successive reading sure to become more riotous as the children become familiar with their responses. (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: March 1, 2003
ISBN: 1-56145-108-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2003
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by Audrey Penn ; illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2014
Parents of toddlers starting school or day care should seek separation-anxiety remedies elsewhere, and fans of the original...
A sweetened, condensed version of the best-selling picture book, The Kissing Hand.
As in the original, Chester Raccoon is nervous about attending Owl’s night school (raccoons are nocturnal). His mom kisses him on the paw and reminds him, “With a Kissing Hand… / We’ll never be apart.” The text boils the story down to its key elements, causing this version to feel rushed. Gone is the list of fun things Chester will get to do at school. Fans of the original may be disappointed that this board edition uses a different illustrator. Gibson’s work is equally sentimental, but her renderings are stiff and flat in comparison to the watercolors of Harper and Leak. Very young readers will probably not understand that Owl’s tree, filled with opossums, a squirrel, a chipmunk and others, is supposed to be a school.
Parents of toddlers starting school or day care should seek separation-anxiety remedies elsewhere, and fans of the original shouldn’t look to this version as replacement for their page-worn copies. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-933718-77-4
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Tanglewood Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 18, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014
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by Audrey Penn ; illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson
by Audrey Penn & illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson
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by Audrey Penn ; illustrated by Mike Yamada
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by David Elliott & illustrated by Holly Meade ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2008
Energetic woodcuts accompany playfully simple poems as they give young readers an engaging tour of the barnyard. From the usual suspects—rooster, cow, sheep—to some of the less celebrated denizens of the farm—snake, bees, turtle—each poem varies to suit its subject. The barn cat’s verse is succinct: “Mice / had better / think twice.” The snake’s winds its way down the page in sinuous shape. At their best, Elliott’s images are unexpected and all the more lovely: The turtle “Lifts her fossil head / and blinks / one, two, three / times in the awful light.” Others are not so successful, but Meade’s illustrations give them credence: The rooster “Crows and struts. / He’s got feathers! / He’s got guts!” This rhythmic but rather opaque assertion is accompanied by an oversized rooster who dominates the foreground; eyes shut in concentration, he levitates himself with the force of his crow—the very embodiment of “guts.” Farmyard books are a dime a dozen, but this one is a worthwhile addition, for those poems that reach beyond the ordinary and for the good-natured illustrations that complement them. (Picture book/poetry. 2-5)
Pub Date: March 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3322-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2008
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by David Elliott ; illustrated by Ellen Rooney
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