A delight for diaper-clad droid heads.
In a feat of design wizardry, a plain, rectangular body is transformed by unfolding hands, wings, rocket engines, and more on successive pages.
A robo-face visible through a large, round hole cut all the way to the back cover guides young technophiles through nine steps from feet to final smile. Rogalski depicts each component in a blocky, retro-futuristic style and delivers rhymed instructions in a distinctly tongue-in-cheek tone: “Make me a robot / with antennas for ears. / Just don’t say I look funny. / That really grinds my gears!” (No one will write home about its meter, though.) For a climactic surprise, the head can be folded down at the end to reveal an alternative face. Also, as the pages are printed on heavy-duty board, the whole figure is thick enough to stand up when closed. The extending parts are made of a lighter stock—but even if they aren’t quite as durable as the body they can be opened in different combinations to customize the robot’s limbs and looks.
A delight for diaper-clad droid heads. (Board book/novelty. 2-5)Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-7972-0525-0
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
Instills a sense of well-being in youngsters while encouraging them to explore the natural world.
This reassuring picture book exemplifies how parents throughout the animal kingdom make homes for their offspring.
The narrative is written from the point of view of a parent talking to their child: “If you were a beaver, I would gnaw on trees with my teeth to build a cozy lodge for us to sleep in during the day.” Text appears in big, easy-to-read type, with the name of the creature in boldface. Additional facts about the animal appear in a smaller font, such as: “Beavers have transparent eyelids to help them see under water.” The gathering of land, air, and water animals includes a raven, a flying squirrel, and a sea lion. “Home” might be a nest, a den, or a burrow. One example, of a blue whale who has homes in the north and south (ocean is implied), will help children stretch the concept into feeling at home in the larger world. Illustrations of the habitats have an inviting luminosity. Mature and baby animals are realistically depicted, although facial features appear to have been somewhat softened, perhaps to appeal to young readers. The book ends with the comforting scene of a human parent and child silhouetted in the welcoming lights of the house they approach: “Wherever you may be, you will always have a home with me.”
Instills a sense of well-being in youngsters while encouraging them to explore the natural world. (Informational picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Nov. 12, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-63217-224-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little Bigfoot/Sasquatch
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
As gentle and unassuming as Oliver, this story thoroughly charms.
It’s no fun for anyone when someone is left out!
Baby elephant Oliver has two very good friends: Lulu, an owlet, and Charlie, a bunny. Playing outside is something they love to do, but the happy trio runs into trouble while trying to climb trees, because Oliver just can’t manage due to his bulk. Warm, appealing watercolors defined with pen and ink and containing just the right amount of detail show the three friends as they patiently search for a tree that is perfect for all of them. Simple text describes their trial and error, as they find trees that are too small, too weak or too tall. “It’s hopeless!” wails Oliver. “Elephants just don’t belong in trees!” When Oliver, exhausted by their efforts, succumbs to sleep, Lulu and Charlie hatch a plan to solve the problem by using their own unique talents. Will they succeed and provide Oliver with a happy surprise? No doubt! Suffused with warmth and gentle humor, this deceptively simple story demonstrates the power of friendship, the importance of working together and problem-solving, while simultaneously introducing basic concepts (high/low, tall/short) in a pleasing, organic way. Young children will root for the three friends, enjoy the mild suspense and delight in the very satisfying ending.
As gentle and unassuming as Oliver, this story thoroughly charms. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: March 20, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-399-25700-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 10, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2014
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