Charming illustrations can’t save this lackluster effort.
In this largely forgettable bilingual tale, Birdie finally leaves the safety of the nest.
A presumably Latina girl narrates the story of the bird family living outside her window. “There was a Papa, Mama and four little babies.” While the mother bird and her babies rest in the nest, Papa goes in search of food, and the babies grow. Soon, both parents are out gathering food for the hungry quartet. “One day Papa noticed that his babies were singing louder and louder. That showed him that they were happy birds and that made Papa very happy. He sang, too.” As the young birds age, they begin exploring the branch beyond their nest and eating more food, “except for Birdie, the smallest bird of all.” The other birds fly away and bring back their own food, but Birdie remains with Mama and Papa: “He liked the way Mama and Papa cleaned him, fed him, ruffled his feathers, and kept him warm when he slept between them.” Then, Birdie is gone, off flying by himself, and the tale abruptly ends. Yomtob’s colorful, humorous illustrations bring some life to Aragon’s often awkward story. Purple English text precedes the red Spanish version, and the illustrated vocabulary list is notable for its brevity and lack of indefinite Spanish articles.
Charming illustrations can’t save this lackluster effort. (glossary) (Bilingual picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: May 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-60448-022-1
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Lectura
Review Posted Online: March 20, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2012
Who could resist a cute yellow chick wanting a little extra comfort at bedtime? Every evening Mother Hen puts Chickie and his blue Bunny to bed. Uh-oh—Chickie sees she’s wearing her pretty necklace; is she going out? No, Mother Hen reassures him and blue Bunny they don’t need to be afraid. But Bunny gets scared and Bunny needs to go to the bathroom and Bunny needs one last kiss. This familiar story thread of a childhood experience is charmingly told only in dialogue and with expressive, simple shapes. Distinct outlines contain boldly applied swaths of color in warm, reassuring hues for maximum toddler friendliness. The illustrations of Chickie tugging the covers up to his beak and sitting on the toilet holding his Bunny are endearing. Parents will recognize what children won’t: Chickie’s colloquy with Bunny is part of his own burgeoning ability to comfort himself. And what is the good-night solution that finally does the trick? “One last kiss,” of course. This French import is a sweet dream for all parents of toddlers needing bedtime bolstering. (Picture book. 2-4)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5378-3
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Eerdmans
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2010
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This ode to the range emphasizes the enduring allure of the American West.
A little boy longs for a life out on the open frontier.
Luke's dreams transport him from his family near the ocean to his new role as a cowboy at the Wymont Ranch. Photographs capture the change of scenery and his routine; his initially serious, quiet reality (reflected in black-and-white images) morphs into crisp, colored shots. The child is almost too small for his Western britches (accessorized with dangling lasso and wide-brimmed black cowboy hat). He stares intently at the audience, the accompanying one-word block of text (“Tex”) reveals his adopted name. His somber expressions continue until care for his pony Thunder evokes unadulterated joy. Brief statements (“Tex loves mountains”) placed against solid backgrounds describe typical activities but allow the photographs to do most of the talking. The young ranchhand remains hard at work, completing typical chores, then sprawls in relaxation; he herds cattle, irrigates fields and lounges with his cowdog Sue. While he leads his pony into the great unknown, the final page turn returns to sleeping Luke; his wrangler-designed sheets the only remnant of his alter ego. The photographs capture breathtaking natural beauty, though some posed pictures more readily recall advertisements than the genuine experience of a youngster at play.
This ode to the range emphasizes the enduring allure of the American West. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-57076-501-8
Page Count: 44
Publisher: Trafalgar Square
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2011
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