A picturesque tour of the ocean is sunk by uneven text.
Lovely artwork is marred by awkward text and poor narration.
An ocean-themed abecedary catches attention with striking artwork. Digital illustrations are enhanced with textured paper, blended watercolors and cut-paper–collage effects. The palette ranges from vibrant tropical reefs to subtle, dark kelp forests. Unfortunately, the rhyming text is often awkward and does not always provide appropriate information about these animals. Moreover, rhythms jar with out-of-sync emphases. “A is for Anchovy. / A strange pizza topping, they’re salty and strong. // B is for Blue Whale: / the largest animal ever at 100 feet long.” The narration is clear and well-paced, but an echo-y affect impairs the quality. Limited animation effects add to the visual interest and work smoothly. Tap the ocean, and a school of anchovies swim onto the page from both directions. Interesting bite-size facts appear when readers tap the bottom of each page. While these facts help develop a clear understanding of the ocean animals, they struggle to counteract a primary text that muddies the water: “K is for Killer Whale. / He’s innocent. Please don’t put him in a cell.”
A picturesque tour of the ocean is sunk by uneven text. (iPad alphabet app. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2013
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: Joshua Wilson
Review Posted Online: Nov. 16, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Continuing to find inspiration in the work of Virginia Lee Burton, Munro Leaf and other illustrators of the past, Long (The Little Engine That Could, 2005) offers an aw-shucks friendship tale that features a small but hardworking tractor (“putt puff puttedy chuff”) with a Little Toot–style face and a big-eared young descendant of Ferdinand the bull who gets stuck in deep, gooey mud. After the big new yellow tractor, crowds of overalls-clad locals and a red fire engine all fail to pull her out, the little tractor (who had been left behind the barn to rust after the arrival of the new tractor) comes putt-puff-puttedy-chuff-ing down the hill to entice his terrified bovine buddy successfully back to dry ground. Short on internal logic but long on creamy scenes of calf and tractor either gamboling energetically with a gaggle of McCloskey-like geese through neutral-toned fields or resting peacefully in the shade of a gnarled tree (apple, not cork), the episode will certainly draw nostalgic adults. Considering the author’s track record and influences, it may find a welcome from younger audiences too. (Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-399-25248-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2009
SEEN & HEARD
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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