Can the new rooster overcome a language barrier to succeed at his job?
A rooster arrives in a new country to start his job rousing lodgers at the ZZZ Hotel and plans to crow the way he always has, with a hearty “OCKCAY AWAY OODLEDAY OODAY.” Unaccustomed to this call, the guests (depicted as anthropomorphic animals in the lively, cartoon-style digital art) stay fast asleep. When a second try fails to stir them, the rooster employs a megaphone. Instead of being grateful for the wake-up call, however, the animals respond with multilingual cries of protest before returning to sleep. The rooster is baffled—not to mention concerned about job security. To soothe himself and prepare for another move, he cooks up a big breakfast. As the aroma wafts into the hotel, the guests follow their noses to the feast. Now, instead of protesting, they praise the meal in different languages. Food is the great equalizer: “It was something everybody understood,” reads text on the penultimate spread, with an accompanying illustration showing a long line of animals in silhouette waiting to enter the hotel. Intraiconic menu text on the final spread introduces the “OCKCAY AWAY OODLEDAY OODAY DINER,” a new business spurred by the rooster’s culinary success and delivering a feel-good ending to this newcomer's tale. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Humorous fare to welcome into storytime. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 12, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5344-9345-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2022
Categories: CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES
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Bear finds a wonderful toy.
Bear clearly loves the toy bunny that he has found sitting up against a tree in the forest, but he wants to help it return to its home. With a wagon full of fliers and the bunny secure in Bear’s backpack, he festoons the trees with posters and checks out a bulletin board filled with lost and found objects (some of which will bring a chuckle to adult readers). Alas, he returns home still worried about bunny. The following day, they happily play together and ride Bear’s tricycle. Into the cozy little picture steps Moose, who immediately recognizes his bunny, named Floppy. Bear has a tear in his eye as he watches Moose and Floppy hug. But Moose, wearing a tie, is clearly grown and knows that it is time to share and that Bear will take very good care of his Floppy. Yoon’s story is sweet without being sentimental. She uses digitized artwork in saturated colors to create a lovely little world for her animals. They are outlined in strong black lines and stand out against the yellows, blues, greens and oranges of the background. She also uses space to great effect, allowing readers to feel the emotional tug of the story.
A winning tale about finding new friends. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-8027-3559-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Feb. 19, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2014
Categories: CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES
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A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 14, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES
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