A beary green Christmas book.
A bear, a moose, and a beaver walk into the woods.
This holiday title features an anthropomorphic trio of quintessentially Canadian animals, humorously rendered in digital art with a flat, cartoon aesthetic. But although the bear, moose, and beaver are associated with the same place, and although they all celebrate Christmas in this story, conflict arises because one friend is decidedly not like the others: The bear is a literal and figurative tree-hugger, and when the moose and beaver attempt to chop down the perfect Christmas tree, he stops them. (Why he didn’t realize this was their plan when they went into the forest is an unresolved question). “The moose and the beaver were no match for the bear’s strength,” reads the straightforward text, which is accompanied by a picture of the bear hurling both animals over the tree handily. He then ties them to the trunk in an act that could be read as humorous but that also might make readers wonder why he values the tree over his friends. Ultimately, the bear does try to salvage their planned Christmas celebration by bringing decorations, food, and gifts from their house into the woods. He unties his friends, and they celebrate Christmas around the perfect tree, still standing in the woods.
A beary green Christmas book. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5253-0203-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2019
Sweet, but like marshmallow chicks, just a bit of fluff.
The smallest bunny in Easter Town finds that she and her little chick friend are big enough to help the Easter Bunny prepare for the annual Easter egg hunt.
In the fifth entry in the Littlest series, Penny the bunny wants to help get ready for Easter. All the rabbits in her family are busy with their special jobs, getting eggs, candy, and baskets in order, but little Penny seems too small or clumsy to be of any help. Her parents and siblings try to let her assist them, but she falls into a vat of dye, spills marshmallow goo, gets tangled in the strands of a basket, and fails to fill even one Easter basket. Feeling dejected, Penny befriends a tiny chick named Peck. With the help of Penny’s family, Penny and Peck make miniature treats and petite baskets suitable to their own size. When the Easter Bunny’s main helpers fall ill, Penny and Peck convince the Easter Bunny that their small size will help them do the best job of finding spots to hide eggs as well as their own tiny basket creations. This too-pat conclusion doesn’t quite hold up to logical analysis, as the full-size eggs and baskets are still too large for Penny and Peck to handle. Bland cartoon illustrations are filled with bunnies in candy-bright pastels with a greeting-card cuteness quotient.
Sweet, but like marshmallow chicks, just a bit of fluff. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-338-32912-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 7, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A story starring a funny and argumentative bunny that makes for a read-aloud gigglefest.
Despite clues to the contrary, this little white rabbit insists that he is not the Easter Bunny.
White fur and cottontail, cute bow tie and vest, and a basket of painted eggs: Must be the Easter Bunny! But this determined rabbit refuses to admit that he’s the famous holiday hopper. In a style reminiscent of Mo Willems’ Pigeon and Elephant & Piggie books, McBeth’s rabbit directly addresses an unseen narrator; the bunny’s dialogue is presented in speech bubbles. When the narrator asks about the bow tie, the bunny explains that it “was a gift from my grandmother, thank you very much!” And when the narrator observes the rabbit “hopping! Just like the Easter Bunny!” the bunny responds, “Well, I don’t have a car! And my bus pass is in my other vest!” Kids follow along as the bunny gets dressed, goes to the store, and purchases eggs and sweets. Little readers will enjoy being in on the joke (this is clearly the Easter Bunny) and the playful back and forth. The book lends itself well to a lap-sit read-aloud; adult readers will enjoy adopting different voices for the narrator and the bunny. The final reveal shows the bunny dragging an enormous “Happy Easter!” basket piled high with decorated eggs. The cartoonish illustrations and cheeky dialogue give this tale plenty of personality and zest.
A story starring a funny and argumentative bunny that makes for a read-aloud gigglefest. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9780593528457
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Flamingo Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 18, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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