Though it begins quite dark, this winning tale quickly moves forward to reveal a touching story about a family who would do...
The story of a beloved animal best friend almost lost and the neighbor who couldn’t see beyond his greed.
Mahler Harris lyrically recounts the true story of Smokey, a one-eyed horse who was found lying on the ground of his farm by a neighbor who had sinister motives—the expansion of his property into a new mall: "That horse is done in for, never get to his stall. If I get that pasture, I'll build a new mall." He tried to convince the mother to put the animal down to the dismay of the children. It took the magic of music to bring the old horse around and at once he began to sway and dance: "The old horse did listen and circled the farm. Moving and swaying, he danced into the barn." Soon the animal started to heal, and the townspeople became enamored of the sweet horse, including the local football team, who fixed his barn so he wouldn't be injured when he danced. Smokey began to draw a crowd of fans who came from all over to see this remarkable animal. To keep their beloved pet happy, the family kept music playing all day and night, the happy horse never fell ill again, and the angry neighbor's dreams of monetary success were shattered. Mahler Harris tenderly teaches young readers the true meaning of friendship and loyalty, even when a situation seems all but lost. Lemaire's illustrations complete the tale, sweetly bringing to life the beloved animal without putting off readers throughout some of the story’s darker parts.
Though it begins quite dark, this winning tale quickly moves forward to reveal a touching story about a family who would do anything to save their beloved horse.Pub Date: July 2, 2011
ISBN: 978-1456553371
Page Count: 22
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: May 8, 2015
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
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