This engaging tale may help young readers grappling with big feelings keep their cool.
A teapot learns techniques to help manage his emotions instead of boiling over in this picture book.
Terrance is a little teapot full of huge feelings: “Things never felt small to Terrance. They always felt big and hot.” Granny reminds Terrance before school of what his speech therapist taught him: decide if he’s at a simmer, a steam, or a boil when gauging his emotions. At school, Terrance gets upset over small things: not getting to go first at tea-ball and being told a teapot joke by Lanie Cup. In therapist Lady Grey’s office, Terrance explores his feelings and why he’s upset; he realizes that Lanie isn’t teasing, she just wants to be his friend. When he has the chance to play a game with Lanie at recess, he simmers down and suggests taking turns. Cloherty adapts real-world techniques that encourage balanced emotional responses to a pun-filled story. Teacups, pots, glasses, kettles, and spoons populate this imaginary world, making metaphoric emotional responses literal. The author transforms some complex ideas into accessible language, making it easy for young readers and adults to discuss ways to apply techniques, guided by prompts and descriptions in the backmatter. Additional text and milestones provide helpful resources for adults. Lopez’s cartoon illustrations deftly portray Terrance’s steaming responses, and the kid-friendly designs and compositions will encourage reader giggles.
This engaging tale may help young readers grappling with big feelings keep their cool.Pub Date: Feb. 22, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-58041-279-7
Page Count: 36
Publisher: ASHA Press
Review Posted Online: March 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Cute and sprightly but not a standout.
Deck the stalls?
A bevy of barnyard animals, a cat, and some dogs get fully into the Christmas spirit by sprucing up the farm with colorful decorations, including holly berries and sparkling baubles. They have a great time and sing while going about their merry chores in a manner somewhat in keeping with the rhythm of the classic tune “Deck the Halls.” (In fact, a flock of sheep are shown holding song sheets for it.) As might be expected with these particular celebrants, some of the familiar lyrics are altered just a bit; for instance, “boughs of holly” is “translated” as “cows and holly.” Adult readers expecting the rhythm here to work exactly as it does in the original will be disappointed, because it doesn’t—it’s clunky. This is merely a brief, lightweight spoof of the familiar ditty, so it’s recommended that grown-ups read rather than sing this—except for that final line!—to very young targeted audiences, who may be unfamiliar with the actual song anyway. Some fun is still to be had in the illustrations, however. The spirited, wittily expressive animal characters are depicted having a fine time romping about and producing a variety of onomatopoeic sounds throughout. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Cute and sprightly but not a standout. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-66591-435-2
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Boynton Bookworks
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
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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
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