Whether read as Zen nature walk, bedtime story, or gentle science starter, this story begs to be visited again and again.
A nighttime woodland wander as simple, elegant, and classic as “Taps.”
“Hello, moon. / Goodbye, sun. // Night is near. / Day is done.” These simple words begin a spare rhyming text of about 110 words, opening the door to a magical nighttime animal world. Realistic illustrations in sunny shades morph into the blues of dusk and night, reemerging as the golden tones of dawn. An owl, a fox, raccoons, and mice “scurry pounce flutter [and] glide” as they explore, hunt, and play in the undergrowth. The mice may often seem to be in danger, but they are ultimately always safe. Most images read as nighttime, but each featured animal—and often its offspring—is spotlighted on the page and easily visible, making this a good group read-aloud. The color of the print also changes from black on light backgrounds to white on dark for legibility. However, subtle details are hidden in the shadowy illustrations, and some serious snuggle time with the book will reveal animal nests or dens, mice sneaking through most scenes, and other woodland creatures here and there. This gentle science lesson can be extended with a discussion about the difference between butterflies as creatures of the day and moths as denizens of the night. Although “wild winds blow, / lightning flash. // Thunder roars! / Raindrops splash,” the drama is muted as animals safely scurry home to a “warm and dry, / cozy lair.”
Whether read as Zen nature walk, bedtime story, or gentle science starter, this story begs to be visited again and again. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 25, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-8234-4701-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Neal Porter/Holiday House
Review Posted Online: March 30, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2021
Young readers will be “antsy” to join the hero on her satisfying escapade.
An ant explores her world.
Addie Ant’s ready for adventure. Despite some trepidation about leaving the Tomato Bed, where she lives with her aunt, she plucks up her courage and ventures forth across the garden to the far side of the shed. On her journey, she meets her pal Lewis Ladybug, who greets her warmly, points the way, and offers sage advice. When Addie arrives at her destination, she’s welcomed by lovely Beatrix Butterfly and enjoys an “ant-tastic” helping of watermelon. Beatrix also provides Addie with take-home treats and a map for the “Cricket Express,” which will take her straight home. Arriving at the terminal, Addie’s delighted to meet another friend, Cleo Cricket, whose carriage service returns Addie home in “two hops.” After eating a warm tomato soup dinner, Addie falls asleep and dreams of future exploits. Adorable though not terribly original, this story brims with sensuous pleasures, both textual and visual. Kids who declare that they dislike fruits or veggies may find their mouths watering at the mentions and sights of luscious tomatoes, peas, beans, watermelons, berries, and other foodstuffs; insect-averse readers may likewise think differently after encountering these convivial, wide-eyed characters. And those flowers and herbs everywhere! The highlights are the colors that burst from the pages. Addie’s an endearing, empowering character who reassures children they’ll be able to take those first independent steps successfully.
Young readers will be “antsy” to join the hero on her satisfying escapade. (author’s note about ants) (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 9, 2024
ISBN: 9781797228914
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2024
Hee haw.
The print version of a knee-slapping cumulative ditty.
In the song, Smith meets a donkey on the road. It is three-legged, and so a “wonky donkey” that, on further examination, has but one eye and so is a “winky wonky donkey” with a taste for country music and therefore a “honky-tonky winky wonky donkey,” and so on to a final characterization as a “spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey.” A free musical recording (of this version, anyway—the author’s website hints at an adults-only version of the song) is available from the publisher and elsewhere online. Even though the book has no included soundtrack, the sly, high-spirited, eye patch–sporting donkey that grins, winks, farts, and clumps its way through the song on a prosthetic metal hoof in Cowley’s informal watercolors supplies comical visual flourishes for the silly wordplay. Look for ready guffaws from young audiences, whether read or sung, though those attuned to disability stereotypes may find themselves wincing instead or as well.
Hee haw. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: May 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-545-26124-1
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2018
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