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THERE'S A BUG ON MY BOOK!

Name: THERE'S A BUG ON MY BOOK!
Author: John Himmelman
ISBN: 978-1-58469-587-5

by John Himmelman ; illustrated by John Himmelman ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2017

This simple, interactive book about the appearances and movements of things that creep and crawl is elevated by its...

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Several small animals commonly considered bugs, as well as a snake and a frog, supposedly land on this book and then leave—for a variety of reasons—each using its own special method of locomotion.

Crisp outlines and vivid colors depict the animals in meticulous detail, from the snake’s scales and the worm’s rings to the markings on the backs of spider and frog. Each page has a pleasant, solid-colored background, against which each animal and its shadow are clearly displayed. Simple sentences are directed at readers, with the pretense that real animals are landing on the book and must be gently removed. Regarding the worm: “Let’s push it off. No squishing.” As each animal leaves—by its own volition or with readers’ supposed help—a two-word sentence describes the animal’s movement, as in “Grasshoppers hop.” Playful typography reinforces the motion, as in the slightly higher placement of the “o” in “hop.” There is underlying humor, as readers follow a six-page trail of slug slime, and the text reads, “Slugs slide. But not very fast.” More humor arrives in the form of the returning snake, whose very presence sends the sticky tree frog away (“Good-bye, frog”). Endnotes give more detailed, but still kid-friendly, explanations of all the animals’ movements, and there are two pages of additional activities for teachers and parents.

This simple, interactive book about the appearances and movements of things that creep and crawl is elevated by its insistence that all creatures deserve to be respected and handled with care. (Informational picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: March 1, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-58469-587-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Dawn Publications

Review Posted Online: Dec. 20, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
YELLOW IS A BANANA
by John Himmelman ; illustrated by John Himmelman

- BOOK REVIEW
THE BOY WHO LIVED IN A SHELL
by John Himmelman ; illustrated by John Himmelman

- BOOK REVIEW
ALBERT HOPPER, SCIENCE HERO
by John Himmelman ; illustrated by John Himmelman

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WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 4, 2025

An earnest graduation gift: sweet for lifelong fans, cheerfully encouraging for striving, future graduates.

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Success comes at last for the bright-eyed Pigeon.

A clever, tongue-in-cheek ersatz colophon reveals that this graduate has been awarded a “Master of Ornery-thology, Bachelor of Arts of Persuasion with a Minor in Major Freak-outs (summa cum loudly).” Fans will be glad that the Pigeon’s tireless, abundant optimism is finally being ceremoniously recognized. On the cover, the Pigeon wears a mortarboard at a jaunty angle, commenting, “I have the hat!” Of course, dressing the part is essential. But also, “I did the work. I paid attention to the little details. I took some BIG steps.” The Pigeon encountered obstacles (not shown, but many memorable ones will come to mind for the Pigeon's followers). And the Pigeon is plagued by worries familiar to many students who are about to graduate: “WHAT WILL HAPPEN THEN?!? What will I do? Who will I be?” The Pigeon appears in every frame, in close-ups and in poses variously thoughtful, confident, or slightly distressed. Our hero’s simple big eyes and wings are, as ever, remarkably expressive. “Oop!” In one scene, while walking off the dais, diploma in wing, the Pigeon comes to what seems like the edge of a chasm. At last, our hero takes flight with other graduates. Willems' popular characters Gerald and Piggie are there to look on admiringly.

An earnest graduation gift: sweet for lifelong fans, cheerfully encouraging for striving, future graduates. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: March 4, 2025

ISBN: 9781454960430

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MONSTER AND PUPPET SHOW!
by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci ; illustrated by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

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IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

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Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!

Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)