Little Mouse’s day is filled with things to do, and little readers are along for the ride.
This oversized board book features two dozen sliders that illustrate the steps in various checklists that little ones can follow to accomplish different routines during the day. In the “Mealtime Checklist,” steps include washing hands, setting the table, placing the napkin appropriately, chewing thoroughly, clearing the table, and wiping one’s face after eating. For each step, the moment before an action is shown, and then the slider is moved to reveal the action in process. For “Help set the table,” Little Mouse is first seen smiling at a stack of crockery and cutlery, and then laying them out. “Chew food well” is rather enigmatic, as the “before” picture shows Little Mouse and an empty plate, and the “during” picture shows him brandishing a fork and smiling but not in any way obviously chewing either poorly or well. The spare illustrations serve the book’s nature, but little readers already attuned to routines will have little use for this title, other than fiddling with the sliders a bit. This is seemingly designed for readers reluctant to stick to a schedule, but there is little incentive here beyond sliding a tab. Younger children will just slide them all at once, and older readers will be looking for a bit more reward for their trouble.
A well-meaning misfire. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2017
ISBN: 9791027603015
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Twirl/Chronicle
Review Posted Online: Aug. 27, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2018
Categories: CHILDREN'S HEALTH & DAILY LIVING
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It’s time for little Duck to give up his beloved pacifier.
Like many tots, “Duck likes his pacifier,” and the first double-page spread shows him sucking on it happily. Mama Duck, though, believes he’s outgrown it: “Only in bed, sleepyhead,” she admonishes, plucking the pacifier from Duck’s beak as he sits down to a meal. On subsequent pages, she repeats this phrase and pulls away the pacifier as surprised, sad-looking Duck sits in his car seat and reads a book. Adult readers will wonder here—why wouldn’t Mama Duck just put away the pacifier instead of repeatedly snatching it from her wee one throughout the day? Then, surprise, Mama Duck announces that Duck doesn’t need his pacifier at all: “Not even in bed, sleepyhead.” Here, a pleased-looking Mama Duck is pictured with the pacifier hanging from a cord around her neck, out of little Duck’s reach. The following double-page spread features Duck wailing in his crib. Turn the page, and readers see that “soon enough, Duck stops crying…and falls asleep” with no pacifier and no comfort from Mama. When morning comes, he proudly announces: “I’m a BIG DUCK now!”
Despite the happy ending, a story meant to serve as reassurance to little ones giving up their own pacifiers comes off as harsh and decidedly unpleasant. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4795-5793-6
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Picture Window Books
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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In this episode in the life of toddler Leo, younger brother to Lola (Lola Reads to Leo, 2012, etc.), his parents take him to the doctor’s office for a checkup.
Leo, a brown boy with tightly curled hair, dressed in a onesie and holding onto a table, “is a big boy now.” His mother and father, who are exactly the same shade of brown, are in the background as Leo feeds himself, plays ball, sings, and dances. When it is time to go, he “puts his toys away” and gets “his blankie and Mister Seahorse.” Daddy packs a bag and brings him to the clinic, where Leo sits on the floor playing with Mister Seahorse while they wait for their turn. (This doctor evidently has a separate well-child waiting room, as every soul in the diverse gathering is smiling happily—there’s not a runny nose in sight.) When it is Leo’s turn, he shows his doctor, a white woman, “what he can do now.” He gets a sticker and a book and gets checked all over. He even continues smiling while he gets his shot, which “will keep him healthy.” The rounded features and shining, rosy cheeks of the invariably smiling characters make for a pleasant trip with Leo through his safe and welcoming world.
A helpful way to prepare toddlers for a visit to the doctor with a character who’s easy to love. (Picture book. 1-3)Pub Date: Sept. 11, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-58089-891-1
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: July 16, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2018
Categories: CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S HEALTH & DAILY LIVING
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