by Patricia Lee Gauch and illustrated by Barbara Lavallee ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2009
A whimsical original fairy tale about motherhood. When Elizabeth Amelia’s mother discovers a ball of yarn in the attic, she knits a woollen baby. With wry ingenuity, Gauch describes the perks of a yarn child: She’s bouncy, she washes well and she is warm—both in spirit and person. After her marriage, Elizabeth Amelia longs for a child of her own. Unable to find just the right yarn to use, she unravels just a bit of her own wool to knit a baby girl. Four children later, Elizabeth Amelia has undone herself until she is almost all gone: “Elizabeth Amelia,” exclaims her husband. “You’re nothing but a pillow!” With her family’s encouragement, the irrepressible Elizabeth Amelia re-knits herself into a new creation, complete with crimson shoes so she and her husband can go dancing again. Lavallee’s watercolor illustrations, featuring an array of rich hues, are a natural extension of the tale. Her detailed pictures neatly capture the folksy nature of the story. With humor and a dash of wisdom, this allegorical tale examines the transforming nature of parenthood, in both its positive and negative aspects. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8050-6535-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2009
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by Jennifer Ward ; illustrated by Steve Jenkins ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 18, 2014
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers.
Echoing the meter of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Ward uses catchy original rhymes to describe the variety of nests birds create.
Each sweet stanza is complemented by a factual, engaging description of the nesting habits of each bird. Some of the notes are intriguing, such as the fact that the hummingbird uses flexible spider web to construct its cup-shaped nest so the nest will stretch as the chicks grow. An especially endearing nesting behavior is that of the emperor penguin, who, with unbelievable patience, incubates the egg between his tummy and his feet for up to 60 days. The author clearly feels a mission to impart her extensive knowledge of birds and bird behavior to the very young, and she’s found an appealing and attractive way to accomplish this. The simple rhymes on the left page of each spread, written from the young bird’s perspective, will appeal to younger children, and the notes on the right-hand page of each spread provide more complex factual information that will help parents answer further questions and satisfy the curiosity of older children. Jenkins’ accomplished collage illustrations of common bird species—woodpecker, hummingbird, cowbird, emperor penguin, eagle, owl, wren—as well as exotics, such as flamingoes and hornbills, are characteristically naturalistic and accurate in detail.
A good bet for the youngest bird-watchers. (author’s note, further resources) (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 18, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4424-2116-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2014
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by Ruth Behar & Gabriel Frye-Behar ; illustrated by Maribel Lechuga ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 12, 2023
A heartwarming reminder to embrace change.
A dog who belongs to an expecting couple adjusts to home life as a new baby arrives.
Pepita, the family pet, is beloved and still so little they call her Bebita (baby girl). But Pepita’s world is changing as her Mami and Papi await the arrival of a baby. Pepita is used to being spoiled “with treats and tummy rubs and my favorite fluffy pillow….But lately, things have been changing.” As the home gets new additions like a crib and gifts from the grandparents, Pepita feels left out, no longer the center of attention. Once the baby arrives, Pepita tries to adjust but is kept up at night by crying and doesn’t get playtime like before. But Pepita’s sweetness shines through as she finds ways to help out and bond with the new baby. “I feel so proud to be the big sister,” she concludes. The book is sprinkled with Spanish phrases, reflecting that Pepita is part of a Latine household; readers unfamiliar with Spanish will find the glossary helpful. Illustrations are warm and cuddly throughout, and the story is highly relatable; soon-to-be big siblings fretting over a new arrival will find it especially comforting. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A heartwarming reminder to embrace change. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2023
ISBN: 9780593566985
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
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