A thoroughly enjoyable tale of bravery, imagination, friendship and triumph.
Stein’s (When Disaster Strikes, 2011, etc.) debut picture book introduces a daring frog who risks everything to save the swamp he loves.
Geronimo is a bold frog who grew up on stories about the brave Native American warriors of the Big Cypress Swamp in Florida. He’s never allowed himself to be held back by his size; as a young frog, he delighted in leaping out of trees and terrifying his brother and sister while shouting “Geronimo!” in honor of the ancient warrior whose stories inspired him. Even being sent to bed without his horsefly stew never deters him from following his irrepressible dreams. When a gang that has wild parties and leaves their garbage everywhere threatens his swamp, it’s Geronimo who steps up to lead the other animals in a mission to save it. It’s not easy, and the gang captures Geronimo. But his leadership has inspired the team of animals; they find bravery where they had none so they can save their leader. After the courageous rescue, it still takes both ingenuity and the recruitment of outside help for Geronimo and his friends to save the swamp for good. The brilliantly colored illustrations are full of life and energy. Geronimo is a dynamic force, and his energy and appeal seem to leap off the pages. Stein balances several instructive moments for kids. Tiny Geronimo’s ability to save a swamp from a bunch of aggressive, mean humans shows kids that they, with perseverance, can triumph, no matter how daunting the opposition. In addition, the illustration of a heron with plastic around its neck vividly depicts the impact that littering has on the environment—another good lesson for kids. These lessons, however, do not distract from the pure joy of the adventures of Geronimo and his animal friends. The text flows well when read aloud, and it’s just challenging enough to keep the interest of children who have moved beyond very basic picture books.
A thoroughly enjoyable tale of bravery, imagination, friendship and triumph.Pub Date: Nov. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-1482535655
Page Count: 58
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: Jan. 6, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 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
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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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