Kipper, the perky black-eared pup, returns in a lift-the-flap salute to soggy weather. With the help of some rainy-day friends, he explores which animals enjoy the wet weather. From frogs to snails, readers lift the flaps to unveil a myriad of creatures that relish the damp. Each spread contains a question on one page with the answer, lurking beneath the illustrated flaps, on the other. The content of the questions is simple enough to engage the young children—tell what you do in a puddle, identify which animal in a pond likes the rain, etc.—and right on target for preschoolers just beginning to hone their observation skills. The clean, rounded lines of the drawings are signature Inkpen (Kipper and Roly, p. 941, etc.) while bold splashes of color enliven the simply rendered pages. Kipper, as charmingly endearing as ever, is joined by a parade of adorable pigs, ducks, frogs, and others to beguile readers. A cheerful tale to chase away the rainy-day blues and encourage youngsters to don their foul weather gear and make like the ducks. (Picture book. 2-5)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-15-216351-4
Page Count: 12
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2001
Children will especially appreciate seeing their wisdom validated in this sweet mother-son outing.
In this variation on a well-trodden theme, mother barn owl Caterina takes her son Leo to the beach.
They would both love to see a whale. But no one can plan to see a whale. Not even Caterina, in spite of, or perhaps because of, all her research. She brings a large cart stuffed with brochures, lists, articles, and information about whales, not forgetting the sunscreen, an elaborate lunch, craft supplies, and all the essentials for a day at the beach. She even researches castles in preparation for building a castle based on a Japanese temple. Leo, however, refuses to be distracted by the research and keeps his eye on the prize, leading his mother into the ocean, where their search is finally rewarded with a huge beautiful whale, close-up and personal. The message of the story will resonate with today’s busy and stressed parents: don’t let your obsessions get in the way of true experience, and allow yourself to be guided by the young. What distinguishes this book from similar-themed offerings is the engaging eclectic collage that nimbly mirrors Caterina’s parenting style. Fussy little lists, photos cut from magazines, drawings, textures, and other ephemera are strewn across the pages, giving young readers plenty of eye candy and adults some serious ideas to think about.
Children will especially appreciate seeing their wisdom validated in this sweet mother-son outing. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: May 19, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-8037-4131-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Although a bit slim on story, still a good choice for mischievous preschoolers with an interest in the martial arts.
Dressed in black and ready for action, a young ninja shows off his skills—which would be more impressive if he did not initially use them to antagonize.
Tuell uses chopped (forgive the pun) rhyming phrases perfect for young ears and new readers as a redheaded ninja practices his stealthy skills: “Hip, hop, slide… / …flip, flop, kick. // Little Ninja, / very quick.” But a yellow-haired younger brother is the unhappy target of all the ninja’s nefarious missions. His balloon is taken away, his chocolate-chip cookie stolen and his castle of building blocks knocked down. Finally, a frustrated cry of “NINJA, NINJA, / WOULD YOU STOP?” results in an unconvincingly instantaneous change of heart. The following spread shows the siblings happily rebuilding. It seems the story has come to a close, but a page turn reveals the ninja playing outside and about to dive into a pile of autumn leaves—where a pair of pale blue eyes peeks out. With his triumphant ambush of the ninja, the younger brother clearly enjoys the comeuppance. All ends well as the final pages show both brothers planning and scheming as a “NINJA TEAM!” Bright primary hues add an energetic yet retro feel to Carpenter’s illustrations.
Although a bit slim on story, still a good choice for mischievous preschoolers with an interest in the martial arts. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: April 15, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4197-1027-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
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