A cat named Bingo searches for adventure and finds a lesson in self-discovery—as well as a new friend—in King’s thoughtful picture book.
The story begins with Bingo introducing himself as an explorer who is searching for a way to repair a tiny, rusted car so that he can drive it around the farm that he lives on and, presumably, get into some mischief. Bright photographs of Bingo, a real cat with gray stripes, climbing all over the cat-sized car fill the pages as we see Bingo unsuccessfully inspect the engine, steering wheel and gas pedal. Just as Bingo’s chance at adventure seems to diminish, his best friend Jimmy, a yellowish-orange cat, reluctantly agrees to try and get the car started. But Jimmy wants to be in charge, and he snaps at Bingo for getting in the way. Rather than fight, Bingo abandons the car and explores the farm on his own. He wanders into an empty barn and has a look around, trying to figure out what sorts of animals live there by examining the clues left behind. Young readers will have fun helping Bingo decipher the clues, and they’ll probably relate to how Bingo feels when he finally gets a close-up view of the horses who live in the barn. Bingo likes the sweet smell of the horses, and the long whiskers on their noses, but their enormous heads block out the sun, making him feel tiny. The photos emphasize the size difference and give readers a cat’s-eye view of the enormous animals. Just as Bingo begins to worry that the horses may harm him, he hears a familiar voice calling; it’s the little boy who lives on the farm and, like Bingo, he’s looking for a playmate. The boy knows just what kind of adventure Bingo has been looking for, and Bingo realizes that a true friend isn’t someone who bosses you around or who makes you feel small. King’s universal message comes through in the numerous photos, showing Jimmy snapping at Bingo, Bingo’s hair standing up when he realizes how powerful the horses are and, at the end, the boy gently petting Bingo. Curious readers will enjoy the extras at the end that invite them to go back and take a closer look at hidden details in the photos. Bingo leads young readers on a farm adventure that does not disappoint.
Pub Date: May 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0983982708
Page Count: 41
Publisher: King
Review Posted Online: Feb. 28, 2012
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Uncomplicated fun that sets readers up for the earlier, more-complicated books to come.
Little Blue Truck and his pal Toad meet friends old and new on a springtime drive through the country.
This lift-the-flap, interactive entry in the popular Little Blue Truck series lacks the narrative strength and valuable life lessons of the original Little Blue Truck (2008) and its sequel, Little Blue Truck Leads the Way (2009). Both of those books, published for preschoolers rather than toddlers, featured rich storylines, dramatic, kinetic illustrations, and simple but valuable life lessons—the folly of taking oneself too seriously, the importance of friends, and the virtue of taking turns, for example. At about half the length and with half as much text as the aforementioned titles, this volume is a much quicker read. Less a story than a vernal celebration, the book depicts a bucolic drive through farmland and encounters with various animals and their young along the way. Beautifully rendered two-page tableaux teem with butterflies, blossoms, and vibrant pastel, springtime colors. Little Blue greets a sheep standing in the door of a barn: “Yoo-hoo, Sheep! / Beep-beep! / What’s new?” Folding back the durable, card-stock flap reveals the barn’s interior and an adorable set of twin lambs. Encounters with a duck and nine ducklings, a cow with a calf, a pig with 10 (!) piglets, a family of bunnies, and a chicken with a freshly hatched chick provide ample opportunity for counting and vocabulary work.
Uncomplicated fun that sets readers up for the earlier, more-complicated books to come. (Board book. 1-4)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-544-93809-0
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
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BOOK REVIEW
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.
Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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