This book showcases the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and will delight and engage resident and nonlocal toddlers alike.
Following Hello Humpback! (2017), Budd and First Nations artist Vickers (Tsimshian, Haida, and Heiltsuk) are back, this time counting up from one to 10.
Vickers offers vivid illustrations of West Coast animals in their natural habitats along with traditional Pacific Northwest Indigenous motifs. Each number is presented on one double-page spread, except for seven swans and eight robins, presented together. Each line of the rhyming text begins with the written number and animal shown on that page, printed in raised glossy black uppercase letters; the rest of the sentence is in cursive lowercase letters. Corresponding numerals are printed in the corners. “FIVE SEA LIONS like it sunny // SIX BEARS hunt for honey.” Many of the animals are also presented in raised glossy illustrations with vivid colors. The Indigenous motifs are often subtly incorporated, as with two glossy all-black herons embossed against matte black backgrounds. Every turn of the page brings a new, dramatic landscape that showcases these animals. Although not all the animals in the book are specifically iconic to the Pacific Northwest, the tactile raised elements and the Indigenous motifs add a unique and important component to the enjoyment of this book.
This book showcases the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and will delight and engage resident and nonlocal toddlers alike. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-55017-828-9
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Harbour Publishing
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In this board book designed for the littlest llama lovers, adorable-as-ever Llama Llama (Llama Llama Red Pajama, 2005, etc.) gets ready for some Halloween fun.
Dewdney’s characteristic spare, apt rhymes convey a lot of action in effortlessly readable fashion. A charming and simple introduction to Halloween and its associated activities, this title finds little Llama Llama choosing and carving a pumpkin, pouring candy into bowls, picking out a costume and, finally, trick-or-treating. The costume Llama Llama decides to don—pointy teeth and a black mask and cape—is enough to frighten and fool his friends but not readers, who will immediately recognize and smile at the silly little mini-Dracula. With Dewdney’s characters as expressive as ever, young readers will be drawn right into the holiday fun, eagerly anticipating which costume Llama Llama will choose and excited to see him scare his friends and score some candy at trick-or-treat. In the equally appealing companion title, Llama Llama Jingle Bells,the little fellow gets ready for Christmas, baking and decorating some cookies in anticipation of Santa’s arrival. This simple holiday title will win Llama Llama new fans, and old friends will want to add it and its companion to their collections. (Board book. 1-2)
Pub Date: Aug. 19, 2014
ISBN: 978-0451469786
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to.
This simplified version of Diesen and Hanna’s The Pout-Pout Fish (2008) is appropriate for babies and toddlers.
Brief, rhyming text tells the story of a sullen fish cheered up with a kiss. A little pink sea creature pokes his head out of a hole in the sea bottom to give the gloomy fish some advice: “Smile, Mr. Fish! / You look so down // With your glum-glum face / And your pout-pout frown.” He explains that there’s no reason to be worried, scared, sad or mad and concludes: “How about a smooch? / And a cheer-up wish? // Now you look happy: / What a smile, Mr. Fish!” Simple and sweet, this tale offers the lesson that sometimes, all that’s needed for a turnaround in mood is some cheer and encouragement to change our perspective. The clean, uncluttered illustrations are kept simple, except for the pout-pout fish’s features, which are delightfully expressive. Little ones will easily recognize and likely try to copy the sad, scared and angry looks that cross the fish’s face.
An upbeat early book on feelings with a simple storyline that little ones will respond to. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-374-37084-8
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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