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SALLY GOES TO THE FARM

Sally’s latest adventure finds her once again taking a road trip, but this time it’s to a farm. Sally, the now familiar large black Labrador Retriever, is excited to be taking her first trip into the country. As they near the end of their long drive, they begin to see and smell signs of new animals and new adventures. Sally meets Molly, a Golden Retriever, and together they explore the sights and sounds of farm life. They sneak a drink of milk from Bessie the cow and share a snack with Penelope the pig. They play tug-of-war with Harriet the horse and take a ride on the tractor. They finish the day with a visit with the scarecrow and with a snack of some pie stolen off a windowsill. Feeling full, Sally and Molly decide to stretch out in the hammock. After all, “farming is hard work.” Understated humor and Sally’s exuberance at discovering new things makes this a wonderful addition to the Sally series. Readers will delight in the boldly colored and skillfully rendered woodblock illustrations that depict the agricultural landscape and its inhabitants. While the illustrations will not disappoint, readers may be a little startled to see woodblock prints of dogs sniffing each other’s posteriors. A playful romp through the fields. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: April 1, 2001

ISBN: 0-8109-4498-7

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Abrams

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2002

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DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE SLEIGH!

A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.

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Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.

This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”

A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023

ISBN: 9781454952770

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023

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HEY, DUCK!

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

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