Young children will be captivated by the exceptional illustrations but not much more
Well-known backyard animals and their immediate surroundings are represented in this beautifully illustrated board book.
Six different animals common to suburban and rural environments are presented in simple text and realistic illustrations. Meet a robin, a honeybee, a toad, a rabbit, a squirrel, and a mole. Each double-page spread of the board book is dedicated to one animal, culminating in the final one, where all are present. Though it does not detract from the book, it is of interest to note that the robin depicted is not an American robin but a European robin. The text, though short and simple, is language-rich: “TOAD slurps a fly with its long, sticky tongue”; “MOLE finds worms as it tunnels underground.” The real pride of place in the book goes to the illustrations. Done in liquid acrylics, each painting is exact to the last detail and beautiful. Unfortunately though, the book falls just short of the mark, as both the text and the illustrations are just descriptive rather than informative, thereby sparking neither curiosity nor imagination. Young readers will probably not come back for repeat readings.
Young children will be captivated by the exceptional illustrations but not much more . (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 8, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-56846-287-5
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Creative Editions/Creative Company
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
A gentle outing for children who are ready for stories of everyday life rather than just objects to name.
A brief rhyming board book for toddlers.
Spurr's earlier board books (In the Garden and At the Beach, both 2012; In the Woods, 2013) featured an adventuresome little boy. Her new slice-of-life story stars an equally joyful little girl who takes pleasure in flying a new kite while not venturing far off the walkway. Oliphant's expressive and light-filled watercolors clearly depict the child's emotions—eager excitement on the way to the park, delight at the kite's flight in the wind, shock when the kite breaks free, dejection, and finally relief and amazement. The rhymes work, though uneven syllable counts in some stanzas interrupt the smooth flow of the verse. The illustrations depict the child with her mass of windblown curls, brown skin, and pronounced facial features as African-American. Her guardian (presumably her mother) is also brown-skinned. It is refreshing to see an African-American family settled comfortably in a suburban setting with single-family homes and a park where the family dog does not need to be leashed.
A gentle outing for children who are ready for stories of everyday life rather than just objects to name. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-56145-854-7
Page Count: 22
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2016
A wholesome and gentle story that's pleasant and soothing for little ones of all faiths, though it will have extra resonance...
The wonder of the natural world becomes more meaningful through active engagement with it.
A young family’s camping vacation makes two significant overnight stops, one at the seaside and one further inland in a lush green field. As parents set up tents, brother and sister feel the hot sand, marvel at the wide waves, breathe in the salty air and hear the wind’s English/Hebrew whisper of “good night, laila tov.” Similarly, while parents plant new tree seedlings in the field, children gather berries, are awed by field mice, surprised by bees and ultimately fall asleep to the rhythmic pattern of rain that mimics the “good night, laila tov” message. Bright, often full double-page scenes in deeply rich, opaque hues on textured paper bring out the natural essence of this sweet bedtime piece told in lilting rhyme. “We drove out to the oceanside. / The sand was hot. The waves were wide. / Tall grasses swayed. The salty air / Was soft and still and everywhere.” The continual assurance of its repetitive refrain, found on every other page, complements the theme of caring for nature’s beauty. Though the Judaic concept of tikkun olam, or repairing the world, is not explicitly stated within the text, it pervades the whole.
A wholesome and gentle story that's pleasant and soothing for little ones of all faiths, though it will have extra resonance in Jewish households. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 27, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-375-86868-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2011
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