Readers journey through the seasons with puppies whose behavior resembles that of preschoolers. They dodge falling apple blossoms in spring, have a picnic with friends in summer, pick apples and jump in piles of leaves in fall, and have a snowball fight in winter. Murphy (Caterpillar’s Wish, p. 454, etc.) captures the joy and surprises inherent in the arrival of the seasons, making this book a real heartwarmer. The bright coloring of her illustrations engages readers, as the puppies find a new adventure around every corner; the text is a terrific one to read a loud, subtly conveying with humor some time-honored lessons on ecology, sharing, and cooperation. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: April 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7894-3484-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Little Caterpillar longs to fly away with friends Ladybird and Bee. Wingless and earthbound, she patiently awaits their eventual reappearance. However, when Ladybird and Bee return from an aerial jaunt one day they discover that their friend is missing. Snail informs them that she is slumbering within a cocoon. Soon, to her friends delight, Caterpillar emerges sporting a pair of glorious yellow wings and asks to be called by her new name, Butterfly. The three are next seen soaring over the garden together. Murphy (I Like It When . . ., 1997) puts the characters for this vivid picture book amid the bright foliage of a bountiful garden. In the full-page illustrations, awash with color and drawn from a bug’s perspective, boldly outlined flowers loom as tall as trees, while leaves provide a verdant canopy for the convivial insects. The oversized format and thick, durable paper allow toddlers the freedom to manipulate the pages on their own, which they will, and frequently. (Picture book. 1-4)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7894-2593-9
Page Count: 20
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Pint-sized sleuths use written and visual clues to discover the identities of their quarry in this diverting and ingenious approach to the standard lift-the-flap format. Each spread features a riddle, written in multicolored block letters, superimposed over the image of the animal in question, revealing only a tantalizing glimpse of the creature’s front and hind quarters. Additional clues are provided by the particular sound associated with the animal—perhaps a quack, an oink, or a hiss. A turn of the half page in the center of the spread reveals the full animal and its name overhead. Leslie’s riddles offer concrete clues while remaining silly enough to tickle preschoolers’ fancies: “Who has a snuffly pink snout and a curly whirly tail?” Vivid backgrounds, generous use of colors, and amiable creatures contribute to this gleeful tour of the animal kingdom. (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: May 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-525-46182-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1999
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
bookshelf