Vivid colors, a multiracial cast, and seamless alliteration make this book a wonderful read—not once, not twice, but again...
This charming farm-to-table picture book hits all the right spots for the younger set.
Words and pictures share center stage. The book follows the farm cycle step by step, from seed-sowing and nurturing in the spring, through harvest and market in summer, and finally to a meal shared with friends and family. Graced with abundant water and sunlight, “seed” becomes “sprout,” then “shoot,” then “stalk.” When harvest time comes around, the bounty is “snipped” and is bound for the farmers market. At the market, farmers “sell,” and shoppers “sample” before choosing what to buy. At home in the kitchen, vegetables are prepped, cooked, and seasoned. Soon, everyone sits down to a lovely picnic dinner of corn, succotash, salad, and more! Using only words starting with the letter “S” for both the clipped primary text and sound effects and labels that grace the illustrations (“Sprinkle spice. / Stir salad”; “Shake Shake”). Pfeffer has ensured his story is a playful read as well as the perfect introduction to where our food comes from. Furthermore, the spare prose pairs well with Austin’s bold, graphic illustrations. Austin doesn’t just skillfully incorporate Pfeffer’s text directly into his art; each scene is rendered in delightful detail and features numerous layers of storytelling waiting to be revealed.
Vivid colors, a multiracial cast, and seamless alliteration make this book a wonderful read—not once, not twice, but again and again. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 8, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5247-1464-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2018
Pair this with Leo Timmers’ Who Is Driving? (2007) for twice the guessing fun.
Heling and Hembrook’s clever conceit challenges children to analyze a small town’s clotheslines to guess the job each of their owners does.
Close-up on the clothesline: “Uniform and cap, / an invite for you. / Big bag of letters. / What job does she do?” A turn of the page reveals a macro view of the home, van and the woman doing her job, “She is a mail carrier.” Indeed, she can be spotted throughout the book delivering invitations to all the rest of the characters, who gather at the end for a “Launch Party.” The verses’ rhymes are spot-on, though the rhythm falters a couple of times. The authors nicely mix up the gender stereotypes often associated with several of these occupations, making the carpenter, firefighter and astronaut women. But while Davies keeps uniforms and props pretty neutral (he even avoids U.S. mail symbols), he keeps to the stereotypes that allow young readers to easily identify occupations—the farmer chews on a stalk of wheat; the beret-wearing artist sports a curly mustache. A subdued palette and plain white backgrounds keep kids’ focus on the clothing clues. Still, there are plenty of details to absorb—the cat with arched back that anticipates a spray of water, the firefighter who “lights” the rocket.
Pair this with Leo Timmers’ Who Is Driving? (2007) for twice the guessing fun. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-58089-251-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: May 15, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Egg-stra special.
The creators of Pick a Pine Tree (2017) and Pick a Pumpkin (2019) cover each step of a popular Easter tradition.
The first stop for a light-skinned caregiver and child is the farm. Peering into the henhouse, they spot an egg (reminding readers that eggs don’t originate at the grocery store). More eggs are collected throughout the spring countryside and brought home, ready to hard boil. While the eggs are cooling, it’s time to prepare the dye! The lively text highlights natural methods first (“Stew some plants / to make a brew: / beets turn eggs / a rosy hue. / Spinach? Green! / Berries? Blue! / Try some herbs / or spices, too”) but also gives a nod to store-bought kits. After a full day of egg decorating, the youngster wakes up the next morning for a festive neighborhood egg hunt. Happily, treats found inside plastic eggs are not limited to sugar only; they include secret notes, tiny toys, and coins, too. (The child adds their dyed eggs to this bounty.) Sprays of bright greens, a shining sun, and dotted buds on trees as well as pastel bunting and fuzzy bunny ears and flower crowns on little ones bring a light, airy lift to this joyful community gathering. The children involved in the egg hunt are diverse in skin tone. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Egg-stra special. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Feb. 14, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-5362-2847-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Nov. 15, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2022
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
bookshelf
