In Shannon’s debut children’s book, a cat and dog go from apprehensive cohabitants to best friends.
When a small cat joins the home of a large dog, the two animals are initially suspicious of each other. Shannon’s pastel illustrations, in vibrant hues of lime green, cornflower blue, fire-engine red and tangerine, depict the peaceful home where the animals coexist as they keep watchful eyes on each other. Textured, undulating edged frames contain the simple images to create engaging compositions, and animal paw-prints add decorative flourishes on the pages’ corners. As the title suggests, the white dog with black markings and black cat with white accents are opposites, both in appearance and habits; the dog is loud and energetic, while the cat appears sharp and intimidating. The animals’ relationship changes one day when the dog shows the cat an unexpected kindness. The two soon learn that they share many common interests and become inseparable companions. Although Shannon’s prose isn’t particularly rhythmic, its language is simple and easy for young children to follow. However, the repeated identifications of the animals as “the white and black dog” and “the black and white cat” may prove to be tongue twisters when read aloud. At pivotal points in the story, Shannon pauses the narrative, asking young readers to consider the events: “White and black dog shared her food with black and white cat. What a nice thing to do. Are you surprised?” By engaging in such critical thinking, young readers may better absorb the story’s lessons about compassion and judging others by their characters. Although the unlikely companionship between a cat and a dog isn’t an especially original or exciting theme, the story’s moral is applicable and universally relatable to children. Furthermore, the vivid colors may help keep young eyes engaged.
A creatively illustrated, if often heard, lesson about acceptance and friendship for preschool to kindergarten-aged children.
Pub Date: Oct. 23, 2013
ISBN: 978-0989773201
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Muse Direct
Review Posted Online: July 28, 2014
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Uncomplicated fun that sets readers up for the earlier, more-complicated books to come.
Little Blue Truck and his pal Toad meet friends old and new on a springtime drive through the country.
This lift-the-flap, interactive entry in the popular Little Blue Truck series lacks the narrative strength and valuable life lessons of the original Little Blue Truck (2008) and its sequel, Little Blue Truck Leads the Way (2009). Both of those books, published for preschoolers rather than toddlers, featured rich storylines, dramatic, kinetic illustrations, and simple but valuable life lessons—the folly of taking oneself too seriously, the importance of friends, and the virtue of taking turns, for example. At about half the length and with half as much text as the aforementioned titles, this volume is a much quicker read. Less a story than a vernal celebration, the book depicts a bucolic drive through farmland and encounters with various animals and their young along the way. Beautifully rendered two-page tableaux teem with butterflies, blossoms, and vibrant pastel, springtime colors. Little Blue greets a sheep standing in the door of a barn: “Yoo-hoo, Sheep! / Beep-beep! / What’s new?” Folding back the durable, card-stock flap reveals the barn’s interior and an adorable set of twin lambs. Encounters with a duck and nine ducklings, a cow with a calf, a pig with 10 (!) piglets, a family of bunnies, and a chicken with a freshly hatched chick provide ample opportunity for counting and vocabulary work.
Uncomplicated fun that sets readers up for the earlier, more-complicated books to come. (Board book. 1-4)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-544-93809-0
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
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BOOK REVIEW
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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BOOK REVIEW
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