HENRY AND BOO

Name: HENRY AND BOO
Author: Megan Brewis
ISBN: 978-1-84643-999-5

by Megan Brewis ; illustrated by Megan Brewis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2017

Little ones will enjoy shouting “BOO” along with Henry’s new friend even if adults, much like Henry, may grow weary of the...

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“Henry didn’t know where BOO had come from. He simply arrived one day.”

One day, while Henry, a gray, pear-shaped dog, is sipping a cup of tea and reading the newspaper, he looks up to see a lavender rabbit standing on his table, greeting him with a cheerful “BOO!” With no clue as to why or how BOO has arrived, Henry politely attempts to escort BOO out, to no avail. In fact, BOO seems to have no intention of leaving Henry’s side: “everywhere Henry went…BOO went too.” Ignoring BOO doesn’t deter the rabbit; hiding from BOO doesn’t either. When Henry comes up with a “brilliant solution” to ship BOO “SOMEWHERE FAR FAR AWAY,” his plan is disrupted when a ferocious bear appears, seemingly ready to attack. Henry, quaking, is taken aback when BOO knows just what to do: he shouts “BOOOOO!!!”—scaring away the bear and saving the day. That Henry finds value in BOO only after BOO becomes useful to Henry may not sit well with all readers, but others will be charmed by the odd couple. English–South African textile designer Brewis uses soft lines, warm watercolors, and ample white space to make Henry and BOO’s world feel soft and safe throughout.

Little ones will enjoy shouting “BOO” along with Henry’s new friend even if adults, much like Henry, may grow weary of the conceit. (Picture book. 2-6)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-84643-999-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Child's Play

Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
STEVE, TERROR OF THE SEAS
by Megan Brewis ; illustrated by Megan Brewis

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK MAKES A FRIEND
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
TIME FOR SCHOOL, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S VALENTINE
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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ANIMAL SHAPES

by Christopher Silas Neal ; illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 27, 2018

Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable.

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You think you know shapes? Animals? Blend them together, and you might see them both a little differently!

What a mischievous twist on a concept book! With wordplay and a few groan-inducing puns, Neal creates connections among animals and shapes that are both unexpected and so seemingly obvious that readers might wonder why they didn’t see them all along. Of course, a “lazy turtle” meeting an oval would create the side-splitting combo of a “SLOW-VAL.” A dramatic page turn transforms a deeply saturated, clean-lined green oval by superimposing a head and turtle shell atop, with watery blue ripples completing the illusion. Minimal backgrounds and sketchy, impressionistic detailing keep the focus right on the zany animals. Beginning with simple shapes, the geometric forms become more complicated as the book advances, taking readers from a “soaring bird” that meets a triangle to become a “FLY-ANGLE” to a “sleepy lion” nonagon “YAWN-AGON.” Its companion text, Animal Colors, delves into color theory, this time creating entirely hybrid animals, such as the “GREEN WHION” with maned head and whale’s tail made from a “blue whale and a yellow lion.” It’s a compelling way to visualize color mixing, and like Animal Shapes, it’s got verve. Who doesn’t want to shout out that a yellow kangaroo/green moose blend is a “CHARTREUSE KANGAMOOSE”?

Innovative and thoroughly enjoyable. (Board book. 2-4)