When a great wind blows apart Little Hedgehog’s nest, he snuggles into his vivid orange-and-red hat, scarf and mittens. Hedgehog, of One Snowy Night (2005), ventures into the storm to seek shelter with his friend Badger. As he journeys through the woods, he discovers, first, a family of field mice shivering in the long grass. Without hesitation, he gives them his hat. Soon he happens upon Otter and gives him his mittens. As the cold worsens, Hedgehog meets a deer and her shivering fawn. He doesn’t hesitate to offer his scarf. When he finally reaches the welcoming hearth of Badger’s house, he is but a prickly snowball. As we see the ultimate outcome of Hedgehog’s actions, this sweet story becomes a testament to kindness. The bright woolens are of a tactile velvety flocking, and the art depicts the windswept and snow dotted landscape in deep greens, rich browns and gray-blue. Little Hedgehog’s tender story is about true compassion and pure generosity, illustrating how goodness rarely goes unnoticed. (Picture book. 2-6)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2006
ISBN: 1-56148-532-2
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Good Books
Review Posted Online: May 20, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2006
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A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 14, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES
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A little boy exults in his new role as big brother.
Rhyming text describes the arrival of a new baby and all of the big brother’s rewarding new duties. He gets to help with feedings, diaper changes, playtime, bathtime, and naptime. Though the rhyming couplets can sometimes feel a bit forced and awkward, the sentiment is sweet, as the focus here never veers from the excitement and love a little boy feels for his tiny new sibling. The charming, uncluttered illustrations convincingly depict the growing bond between this fair-skinned, rosy-cheeked, smiling pair of boys. In the final pages, the parents, heretofore kept mostly out of view, are pictured holding the children. The accompanying text reads: “Mommy, Daddy, baby, me. / We love each other—a family!” In companion volume I Am a Big Sister, the little boy is replaced with a little girl with bows in her hair. Some of the colors and patterns in the illustrations are slightly altered, but it is essentially the same title.
A good choice for caregivers looking for a positive, uncomplicated introduction to a new baby that focuses on everything an older sibling can do to help. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-545-68886-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
Categories: CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY
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