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COWHIDE-AND-SEEK

Name: COWHIDE-AND-SEEK
Author: Sheri Dillard
ISBN: 978-0-7624-9184-1

by Sheri Dillard ; illustrated by Jess Pauwels ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 7, 2019

Mooove along unless you are desperate for more cow tales.

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Bessie might not be the best cow at hide-and-seek, but she’s certainly enthusiastic.

One regular day on the farm, Farmer Ted starts counting his herd, but Bessie thinks it’s the start of a game of “cowhide-and-seek.” Her first hiding place (behind a black-and-white cat) moves; “Bessie moooved, too.” Farmer Ted finishes counting his cows and realizes Bessie is missing; where is she? She’s found a somewhat better place to hide, but the ice cream vendor’s cart she ducks behind is, like the cat, smaller than she is. When a little boy points her out, she tries to tell him not to give her hiding place away to Farmer Ted, but he doesn’t understand “Moo.” She finds a truly questionable hiding place behind a soccer ball at a match, but the ref tweets his whistle at her. With each new hiding place, Farmer Ted acquires more helpers; but Bessie stays ahead of him. Can she find the perfect hiding place? Bessie’s “hiding places” in Dillard’s debut are so lacking in concealment that some young listeners might be confused. She is developmentally consistent with very young children, but those old enough to get the joke will have moved on past that moment. Pauwels’ endearing cartoon illustrations almost make up for the confusion. Farmer Ted and most of those who help him hunt are white, but background characters are diverse.

Mooove along unless you are desperate for more cow tales. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: May 7, 2019

ISBN: 978-0-7624-9184-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Running Press

Review Posted Online: Jan. 27, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MONSTER AND PUPPET SHOW!
by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci ; illustrated by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

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HEDGEHOGS DON'T WEAR UNDERWEAR

by Marissa Valdez ; illustrated by Marissa Valdez ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2025

Sure to have little ones giggling.

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Jacques is a hedgehog with a big secret: “I wear real, bona fide underwear.”

Our narrator received a mysterious package one day; an illustration shows a pair of underwear tied to a balloon with a note “from the Universe” floating down into Jacques’ burrow. Hedgehogs don’t wear underwear, however. Will Jacques be shunned? Jacques worries but comes to a decision: “I have to wear them. When I do I feel special.” Determined, Jacques, who’s been invited to a party, makes a dramatic entrance, with undies in hand. Jacques’ declaration (“I WEAR UNDERWEAR”) is met with remarks of dismay, before another hedgehog opens up about similar fears and shows off a pair of cowboy boots. More hedgehogs introduce themselves with their own confessions. The story ends with Jacques unveiling a painting of the underwear in a gallery filled with hedgehogs wearing all sorts of attire. Though the book is simple in plot, characters, and setting, it wins in its balance of bathroom humor, dramatic storytelling, and celebrations of individual expression. French words are peppered throughout, adding to the fun without detracting from the story for those unfamiliar with the language. The cartoonish illustrations brim with fun; Valdez relies heavily on geometric shapes (triangle noses for the hedgehogs; huge circles for their eyes). Details such as speech bubbles and recurring turtle and snake characters contribute to the outlandish humor.

Sure to have little ones giggling. (Picture book. 3-5)