An ephemeral but pleasantly coherent take on the viral hit
A trip to the aquarium triggers a “Baby Shark” flash mob.
A parent and child enter the aquarium hand in hand. “Will we see a shark?” the child asks. “Will we see a baby shark?” Of course they do: A cutely snub-nosed (and biologically impossible) shark pup smiles from the tank…and the earworm takes over. “Baby shark! Doo doo doo doo doo doo!” The verse repeats twice more, the “doo doo doo” printed in wavy lines, before it is punctuated by a concluding “Baby shark!” With the turn of the page, it is joined by “Mama shark!” and another child walks up. Cue “doo doo doo.” Then Daddy shark appears, and a third child joins the group, pointing as the earlier two make the “Baby Shark” hand motions. Grandma shark (distinguished by faint wrinkles around the lips, as is Grandpa on the next page—perhaps they forgot their dentures?) swims up next, and then all are seen grinning like the “hungry sharks” they are before the children, now numbering five, “run away!” to join their caregivers, “safe at last!” Kudos to Lewis for creating a plausible visual narrative and peopling it with diverse children. Like all the other “Baby Shark”–themed books in the current tsunami, however, it relies heavily on its readers’ preexisting familiarity with the song for its success.
An ephemeral but pleasantly coherent take on the viral hit . (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-250-26318-6
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: Nov. 23, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2019
As a counting book, fun. As a new Sendak book, by its mere existence, notable.
A posthumously published tale of overly prolific bunnies from a master of the picture-book form.
A young magician bows before readers and releases a rabbit from his hat. More and more rabbits appear. As the book counts from one rabbit to 10, the boy becomes increasingly frustrated with the sheer number of bunnies appearing from his headwear. His irritation is alleviated only when the narrator declares, “So then—he made them vanish again!” Now the numbers count down, and with every rabbit gone the child grows distinctly happier and more lighthearted. Originally created in 1970 as a pamphlet for a fundraiser for Philadelphia’s Rosenbach Museum, this book is visually similar to such Sendak crowd-pleasers as the Nutshell Library titles, particularly One Was Johnny (1962). Adult fans seeking the darker and weightier subject matter associated with the author’s later works would do best to look elsewhere. Children, however, will be drawn to the escalating tide of fuzzy bunnies and will share the protagonist’s sense of satisfaction at watching them go. The artwork is filled with simple charm, and the counting element proves to be a nice plus as well. The protagonist has skin the white of the page.
As a counting book, fun. As a new Sendak book, by its mere existence, notable. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9780062644671
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Nov. 18, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Children will appreciate this preschool tour and be eager to revisit.
What fun: Exploring a preschool classroom without even being there!
Each spread in this adorable board book contains an embedded groove that gives listeners the opportunity to move a character around a different brightly colored, inviting area of the school. Thus, kids will play while enjoying this book, and they’ll also learn about a preschool environment before they’re actual students themselves. By moving figures around the varied spaces in this school, where the students and teacher are friendly, welcoming, gaily dressed animal characters, children will enjoy a light adventure, gain a safe sense of autonomy, and learn in advance what they will see and do when they join the preschool set officially. The whole joyful experience is described in jaunty, lively rhymes, while the sweet, appealing illustrations, created digitally with markers, collage, and watercolors, depict lively scenes of young animals engaging harmoniously in typical preschool activities. There are cubbies for hanging up outdoor clothing, a tank with two turtles, instruments to play and songs to sing, arts and crafts activities, books to read and storytime, movement games, toys and a kitchen corner to share—and, best of all, new friends to meet and play with. Preschool’s great—and students can return for more fun tomorrow! (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Children will appreciate this preschool tour and be eager to revisit. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 11, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-79721-084-1
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: April 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2023
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