In lilting verse, Brownlow (The Big White Book with (Almost) Nothing in It, not reviewed, etc.) cheerfully celebrates all that infants love to do from morning to night; they don’t just gurgle and sleep. “Baby Daisy feels so pleased / She’s learned to crawl on hands and knees!” while, “Baby Arthur laughs and laughs / Splishing, splashing in the bath.” A baby is sucking his toes, a cute curly-headed rascal throws mucky food, and a pony-tail-topped little girl gets her round head stuck in a sweater. Adding enormously to the appeal of this great little lap book is the gumball riot of sweet color. Each spread is bright with thick paint on canvas where Brownlow, who has an obvious fondness for his subject, creates an array of textures to depict each unique, happy infant often accompanied by friendly-faced stuffed animals and familiar toys. Babies love looking at other wee ones and will recognize their own abilities depicted on these pages while parents will identify with another, less appealing activity on the final page: “ . . . Babies wake at half-past two!” (Picture book. 1-4)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2002
ISBN: 1-929927-44-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
Overall, a delightful collection—priced so that it’s easy to buy several to give as gifts.
Looking for an attractive compendium of nursery rhymes, songs, games, and lullabies all in one place? These 192 pages will deliver the goods, and then some.
The one-page introduction emphasizes the importance of nursery rhymes in the lives of young children: they engage the imagination, develop skills, and foster a love of reading and the spoken word. The contents are organized into six categories that bundle together songs, action rhymes, rhymes about animals, games, counting rhymes, and lullabies. The rhymes are set on full pages or double-page spreads and illustrated with an overall retro look in a mix of styles and media that incorporates thumbprints, collage, cut paper, childlike cartoons, dramatic use of display type, and more. “I’m a Little Teapot” features smiling faces on teapot and cup and a palette of pink, red, and teal, while “Old MacDonald” is rendered in a folk-art style that pops with bright yellows, reds, and greens. Instructions for the action rhymes and the games appear in teeny tiny print at the end of each respective chapter. The die-cut board cover is a plus, as it will stand up to repeated readings. Though each rhyme is illustrated differently, unfortunately and strangely, there is no credit or acknowledgement of the artists. While some of the graphic settings are so overdesigned they are difficult to read, there are so many rhymes that it’s easy enough to skip several and still feel sated.
Overall, a delightful collection—priced so that it’s easy to buy several to give as gifts. (Nursery rhymes. 1-4)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-62686-683-6
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Silver Dolphin
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
Good deeds beget good deeds in this graphically bold and bright celebration of benevolence. Hen gives Pig an egg, a kindness that inspires him to give a carrot to Rabbit, who in turn picks flowers for Cow, and so on until Pig returns the initial favor by presenting Hen with a chick—hatched from her original egg. The clever turn of events leaves readers wondering if Hen has hornswoggled Pig into doing the work of hatching her egg, or if she is simply thanking him for the gift? The youngest readers and listeners will not be distracted by such concerns and will enjoy shouting out “How kind!” as it’s repeated throughout the text; they may also be inspired to emulate the animals and take turns doing one another kindnesses. Electric pink, sky blue, yellow, orange, purple, and tennis-ball-green ink-and-wash illustrations outlined in heavy black add to the cheer and are complemented by the loose yet readable typeface, created by and named for Murphy (Koala and the Flower, not reviewed, etc.). For just plain storytime fun or for introducing the concept of karma, this is a winner. (Picture book. 2-4)
Pub Date: May 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-7636-1732-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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