YOU CAN'T WIN THEM ALL, RAINBOW FISH

Name: YOU CAN'T WIN THEM ALL, RAINBOW FISH
Author: Marcus Pfister
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4287-8

by Marcus Pfister ; illustrated by Marcus Pfister ; translated by David Henry Wilson ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 6, 2017

Pfister tackles a common frustration with which youngsters will relate; unfortunately, glittery scales are the only thing to...

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Twenty-five years after the original shimmering publication, Rainbow Fish returns to learn a lesson in good sportsmanship.

Rainbow Fish and his friends are playing hide-and-seek. Rainbow Fish is the first to be “it.” He has played this game so many times he believes that he knows all the hiding places in the shoal. Overconfident, he sets off to look. But he can’t find anyone! One by one the fish swim out of their hiding places, much to Rainbow Fish’s chagrin. Then, when Little Blue is the seeker, he finds Rainbow Fish immediately. Rainbow Fish angrily throws a tantrum and swims away. The newest character to the series, Red Fin, gently explains to Rainbow Fish that sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose. An apology neatly wraps up this aquatic morality tale. Translated from German, the text is didactic and straightforward; the one textual bright spot is an enthusiastic, “I’ll find you in a fishy flash!” Lending visual sparkle, of course, is the series’ trademark foil scales. Saturated blues and greens, with splashes of yellow and pink, infuse the underwater world.

Pfister tackles a common frustration with which youngsters will relate; unfortunately, glittery scales are the only thing to add shine to these lackluster depths. (Picture book. 2-6)

Pub Date: June 6, 2017

ISBN: 978-0-7358-4287-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: NorthSouth

Review Posted Online: March 28, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
A PENGUIN LIKE ME
by Marcus Pfister ; illustrated by Marcus Pfister ; translated by David Henry Wilson

- BOOK REVIEW
FRANZ-FERDINAND THE DANCING WALRUS
by Marcus Pfister ; illustrated by Marcus Pfister ; translated by David Henry Wilson

- BOOK REVIEW
WHO STOLE THE HAZELNUTS?
by Marcus Pfister ; illustrated by Marcus Pfister ; translated by David Henry Wilson

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK MAKES A FRIEND
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
TIME FOR SCHOOL, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S VALENTINE
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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ANIMAL SHAPES

by Christopher Silas Neal ; illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2018

Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable.

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You think you know shapes? Animals? Blend them together, and you might see them both a little differently!

What a mischievous twist on a concept book! With wordplay and a few groan-inducing puns, Neal creates connections among animals and shapes that are both unexpected and so seemingly obvious that readers might wonder why they didn’t see them all along. Of course, a “lazy turtle” meeting an oval would create the side-splitting combo of a “SLOW-VAL.” A dramatic page turn transforms a deeply saturated, clean-lined green oval by superimposing a head and turtle shell atop, with watery blue ripples completing the illusion. Minimal backgrounds and sketchy, impressionistic detailing keep the focus right on the zany animals. Beginning with simple shapes, the geometric forms become more complicated as the book advances, taking readers from a “soaring bird” that meets a triangle to become a “FLY-ANGLE” to a “sleepy lion” nonagon “YAWN-AGON.” Its companion text, Animal Colors, delves into color theory, this time creating entirely hybrid animals, such as the “GREEN WHION” with maned head and whale’s tail made from a “blue whale and a yellow lion.” It’s a compelling way to visualize color mixing, and like Animal Shapes, it’s got verve. Who doesn’t want to shout out that a yellow kangaroo/green moose blend is a “CHARTREUSE KANGAMOOSE”?

Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable. (Board book. 2-4)