A delightful book that reminds us all to try something new, even if it’s “yacky!” (Picture book. 3-6)
It’s dinnertime for little dinosaurs, but trying new foods is never easy.
Caregivers will recognize the scenario instantly: sitting at the table with their own little dinosaurs, trying to coax a bite out of them. This dino—a human child clad in a triceratops-styled cowl—has every excuse in the book not to eat the single floret of broccoli on their plate, from “too lumpy” to “too scratchy,” which may be baffling to caregivers but will make perfect sense to toddlers. However, when their mom suggests that the foodstuff in question is not the child’s nemesis, broccoli, but “trees,” our little dinosaur finds their brave side and learns to try something new, dramatized in a funny, four-image sequence: “gulp! / MMF! / yacky! / ROARRR!” Realistically, the broccoli is not an immediate hit, but their mother reassures them that just trying is brave, turning the once-finicky eater into a “ ‘try’ ceratops.” Simple and expressive, fine-lined cartoon illustrations with a dino-green color scheme help bring the story to life in a way that will elicit chuckles. More importantly though, the book helps promote healthy ways to talk about food with kids by gently encouraging them to be brave. The first in a senses-themed series, its message is tailored to children on the spectrum and with sensory disorders but has broad applicability to neurotypical audiences as well. Both child and mom have paper-white skin, straight, black hair, and pink cheeks.
A delightful book that reminds us all to try something new, even if it’s “yacky!” (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 18, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-525-55344-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: March 11, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
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. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
WOO-HOO! This is the perfect way to foster healthy self-esteem in little ones.
What’s better than a cheerleading chicken?
Are you ever blue, unsure, tired, or overworked? Do you ever feel lost or overwhelmed? This uplifting book, expressed in delightful, jaunty verse, explains how to lift your spirits pronto: What you need is a booster chicken telling you’re doing great even when you’re not so confident, as when you’re learning or practicing a new skill, for instance. Your feathered champion will be right there, encouraging you all the way, with a loud “WOO HOO!” that’ll keep you going and remove any doubt you’re super terrific. But what if your cheerful chick errs and doesn’t do what it set out to do? Don’t worry—your cheery chicken just needs a reminder that everyone makes mistakes. That alone is a pep talk, enhanced by the wisdom that making mistakes allows everyone to learn and demonstrate they did their best. So forgive yourself, chickens! But the best thing is…instead of relying on someone else—like a chicken—to strengthen your ego, say a generous daily “WOO HOO!” to yourself. This riotous book hits all the right notes and does so succinctly and hilariously. The energetic, comical illustrations, in Boynton’s signature style, will elicit giggles and go far to make the book’s important point. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
WOO-HOO! This is the perfect way to foster healthy self-esteem in little ones. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-316-48679-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2023
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