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HIDE AND SEEK HARRY AROUND THE HOUSE

Name: HIDE AND SEEK HARRY AROUND THE HOUSE
Author: Kenny Harrison
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6602-6

From the Hide and Seek Harry series

by Kenny Harrison ; illustrated by Kenny Harrison ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 13, 2014

Not likely to be a longstanding favorite, but good for a brief bit of fun.

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A quick game of hide-and-seek with an enthusiastic but easy-to-find hippo.

On the opening page, large, clear, black type reading “Harry is our best friend” appears beneath the image of a blonde-headed boy and a pig-tailed girl sitting astride a big gray hippo. We learn that Harry the hippo’s favorite game is hide-and-seek, but that he’s not very good at it. The subsequent illustrations make the point, depicting Harry attempting to conceal his bulk in a variety of easy-to-spot locations. For instance, he is shown sinking into a big tub of bubbles, cramming himself into the kitchen cabinets, snuggled in bed underneath the covers and crouched behind the doghouse. Luckily, the only thing Harry seems to like as much as hiding is being discovered by his friends, who embrace him in the final spread. Toddlers will enjoy outwitting Harry by quickly finding him in the bright, cheerful illustrations, and they will appreciate the culminating expression of friendship and affection. In Hide and Seek Harry at the Beach, the hippo takes his antics to the shore, futilely hiding, among other places, in the sand dunes, in a hammock and, most absurdly, behind a skinny palm tree.

Not likely to be a longstanding favorite, but good for a brief bit of fun. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: May 13, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-7636-6602-6

Page Count: 22

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: May 3, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
HIDE AND SEEK HARRY AT THE PLAYGROUND
by Kenny Harrison ; illustrated by Kenny Harrison

- BOOK REVIEW
HOW I BECAME CHAMPION OF THE UNIVERSE
by Kenny Harrison & illustrated by Kenny Harrison

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SMILE, POUT-POUT FISH

by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 7, 2014

An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to.

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This simplified version of Diesen and Hanna’s The Pout-Pout Fish (2008) is appropriate for babies and toddlers.

Brief, rhyming text tells the story of a sullen fish cheered up with a kiss. A little pink sea creature pokes his head out of a hole in the sea bottom to give the gloomy fish some advice: “Smile, Mr. Fish! / You look so down // With your glum-glum face / And your pout-pout frown.” He explains that there’s no reason to be worried, scared, sad or mad and concludes: “How about a smooch? / And a cheer-up wish? // Now you look happy: / What a smile, Mr. Fish!” Simple and sweet, this tale offers the lesson that sometimes, all that’s needed for a turnaround in mood is some cheer and encouragement to change our perspective. The clean, uncluttered illustrations are kept simple, except for the pout-pout fish’s features, which are delightfully expressive. Little ones will easily recognize and likely try to copy the sad, scared and angry looks that cross the fish’s face.

An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to. (Board book. 1-3)

Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-374-37084-8

Page Count: 12

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
THE WORRY-WORRY WHALE AND THE CLASSROOM JITTERS
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

- BOOK REVIEW
POUT-POUT FISH
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

- BOOK REVIEW
THE POUT-POUT FISH AND THE MAD, MAD DAY
by Deborah Diesen ; illustrated by Dan Hanna

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MERRY CHRISTMAS, LITTLE POOKIE

by Sandra Boynton ; illustrated by Sandra Boynton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 18, 2018

The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer...

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Seven years after Little Pookie (2011) first appeared, this popular piglet is finally celebrating Christmas.

“Oh Pookie! Come look! It’s beginning to snow,” says a maternal-looking pig. But where did Pookie go? Past the Christmas tree, to put on a snowsuit of course. Pookie’s ever cheerful mama is willing to go out too. After all, “It’s a magical time to be walking with you.” When she observes, “Our noses are frozen. It’s time to go in,” Pookie protests in typical toddler style: “But I’m not c-c-c-cold!” The next three pages highlight indoor holiday preparations—making paper garlands, baking and decorating cookies. The rhyming text mirrors the spare illustrations. A spidery type that emulates handwriting makes it clear when Pookie is speaking. Then “the doorbell is ringing. / Our family and friends have arrived for the singing.” The second-to-last spread shows Pookie, mama, and six other pigs—and Boynton’s requisite chicken—singing (“Con brio”), “MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! MER-RY CHRIST-MAS! AND A HAP-PY NEW YEAR!” Conveniently, this text is placed beneath the musical notation. Finally Pookie hangs a stocking and goes off to bed without any fuss, anticipating presents on Christmas morning.

The small size, a predictable winter adventure, and Boynton’s very toddlerlike character make this a fine stocking stuffer or an ideal Christmas Eve read to share with other little piggies. (Board book. 18 mos.-3)