A good addition to the fractious-farm-animals genre, and a fine bedtime story to boot. (Picture book. 2-5)
Another farm where the animals misbehave—well, they are good at something anyway.
"This is my cow, / she's called Daisy. / She should eat grass, / but she's too lazy." Instead what does Daisy do? She sits around all day being spoon-fed jelly. Nancy the pig is no better at doing what she ought. She's much too fancy to roll in the mud. "Instead she stares / at her reflection, / 'My oh my, / you are perfection.' " Lizzie the chicken doesn't lay eggs; she’s much too busy dancing in her purple underwear. Frankie the dog rounds out this rogue's gallery. He's far too cranky to herd the sheep. Instead he watches television and demands tea and cakes. "This is my farm, / it might not look good. / None of the animals / do what they should." But when nighttime comes, all of the animals display their expertise...at sleeping. Jordan and Weldon offer up this Australian farm that, like so many American farms in picture-book–land, finds itself peopled with contrary animals. The rhyming text will be easy to learn, and audiences will enjoy watching the ever-so-slightly goofy animals act up. The watercolor illustrations feature expressive cartoon animals who range from bored Daisy to seemingly over-caffeinated Lizzie. The roller-skating sheep glaring out from under its top hat is particularly hysterical.
A good addition to the fractious-farm-animals genre, and a fine bedtime story to boot. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: March 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-8075-4400-6
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Whitman
Review Posted Online: Dec. 25, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2013
An upbeat Easter outing with a beloved character.
Pookie celebrates Easter with a play date and holiday activities.
Pookie’s friend Bean, a gray puppy, comes over for Easter fun that includes lots of bouncing around and egg decorating. After Bean goes home, Pookie gets excited about the Easter Bunny’s arrival and goes to sleep dreaming of a large chocolate egg. Like the other Pookie books before it, this one is told in rhyme from the perspective of a loving grown-up addressing the little pig, which keeps the pace moving and makes for a great read-aloud. Bean and Pookie are realistically—and endearingly—childlike, from Pookie’s pronunciation of yellow as “lellow!” to the joyful mess they make while decorating eggs. There are plenty of sweet and festive touches, such as the bunny ears that Bean and Pookie (and Pookie’s teddy) wear and the daffodils painted on the end of Pookie’s bed. The illustrations include large, full-page images as well as smaller vignettes against solid backgrounds. One page shows Pookie and parent looking out the window at the moon, anticipating Easter’s spoils. For fans of Boynton and little Pookie, this Easter tale is exactly as expected: a touch of playfulness, a relatable story, and comfort in the familiar. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An upbeat Easter outing with a beloved character. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-66592-838-0
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Boynton Bookworks
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2022
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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