A nifty, participatory way to introduce sports to young children.
Moving from jobs (Clothesline Clue to Jobs People Do, 2012) to sports, Helig, Hembrook, and Davies keep children guessing.
“High on the clotheslines / the clues swing and sway. / Who uses these things / for the sports that they play?” Seven clotheslines hold clothing and sometimes equipment (not all of which is typically washed), with more underneath the line or propped against the uprights. Pinstriped pants and shirt, a cap, and a glove hang above a bat, bases, and a ball. Readers guess and then turn the page for the reveal: “He plays baseball.” (Boston fans beware: the pinstripes are paired with red socks.) With a nod to diversity, the men fence and play baseball and football. Women play soccer, tennis, and basketball and do archery. An inquisitive (and sometimes mischievous) squirrel appears on every clothesline page, and the reveals always show a glimpse of the school bus from the title page. It all comes full circle at the end when the children try out these sports during Sports Day at school. The rhythms and rhymes are solid, and the verses nicely incorporate the vocabulary for the equipment and clothing used. Skin tones are a mix of peach and browns, but all the people are able-bodied. Too, the women tend to pair up with girls and the men with boys.
A nifty, participatory way to introduce sports to young children. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-58089-602-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: June 5, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A loving look at failing at fishing in the best possible way.
Quiet contentment is the name of the game in this gentle tale of fish and scones.
Big Bear wants to go fishing, and so does Little Bear. They dress for the occasion, but are they ready? “Almost.” They need poles (“Almost”), then snacks (“Almost”), then a big green book of stories. Ready at last, they get into their rowboat and wait, but nothing’s biting. Scones are noshed. Stories are read. And at last, one big fish does swim around them for a while before leaving. Then it’s time to go home and nap together on the big hammock. With prodigious skill, Hest employs the quiet repetitions that make reading a book aloud a joy. “Poles, says Big Bear. Fishermen need poles. Oh yes, says Little Bear. Poles.” “Scones, says Big Bear. Fishermen need nice, warm blueberry scones. Oh yes, says Little Bear. Scones.” Stead, meanwhile, makes great use of vast white spaces, filling them with bees, clouds, and two bears with great affection for one another. Their love is evident as Big Bear holds Little Bear closely after the cub takes a flying leap into the boat. This tale has all the hallmarks of a family classic.
A loving look at failing at fishing in the best possible way. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 7, 2024
ISBN: 9780823449750
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Neal Porter/Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Fun enough for a single read-aloud, but mostly fluff.
Charlie has chosen an unusual pet, and managing her at the community pool takes a lot of effort.
Charlie, a black child with a high top fade, didn’t have a dragon in mind when adopting a pet, but Rosie, a round-bellied, dark pink dragon, liked Charlie. “And now we’re best friends. We do everything together.” Today, they are going to the pool. Last time “didn’t go that well,” so this time Charlie is prepared. First, Charlie reviews the rules with Rosie. Then Charlie chases after her, keeping her from terrorizing the families with her play. After many pages of damage control, Charlie finally gets Rosie to calm down, give both Charlie and some friends a ride, and eventually swim on her own. Charlie’s pep talk to Rosie before her solo swim can be taken as sound advice for life. But can Charlie keep her from downing the gummy skunks? (And if they give her such terrible breath, why did Charlie bring them along?) The digital illustrations are bright, playful, and attractive, well suited to the story. The dragon’s shenanigans go on far too long, with some abrupt, arbitrary changes in direction, and the humor won’t appeal to everyone. Still there are some young dragon lovers and fans of mischief who will revel in this silly romp.
Fun enough for a single read-aloud, but mostly fluff. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5420-4292-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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