A passable presentation on dealing with negative emotions.
Can’t a puppy just have a grumpy day?
“One sunny, shining, beautiful day, / Rue woke up feeling grouchy and gray.” Black-furred pug puppy Rue thinks everything is wrong, from her bunchy socks to her crunchy breakfast. Her mom tries a kiss, and her teacher asks her to smile, but nothing helps. At recess, her friends try to get her to play, but Rue just wants to pout. Then Rue gets an idea. She makes a sign inviting everyone to her pout party, where no one can be happy or excited. No one wants to join…except her white-furred kitten friend Joy, who fakes a grumpy face. Rue tries to out-grumpy Joy, but Joy “grumble[s] and groan[s], And stomp[s] with her feet.” Others think it looks like fun and join in. Rue coaches the whole class, and they all make horrible faces…which makes Rue giggle. And everyone laughs. Then Joy assures Rue that next time she feels grumpy, Joy will still be there for her. The rhyme might clunk once or twice and go for the obvious throughout, but children will easily see themselves in the animals of various species that populate McColl’s simple tale. The big-eyed, clothed animals in her cartoon illustrations are expressive and colorful. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A passable presentation on dealing with negative emotions. (Picture book. 2-6)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-64823-017-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: POW!
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2022
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.
Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
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Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.
Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!
Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.
Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 31, 2026
ISBN: 9781454999621
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026
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