In this lift-the-flap board book, singsong-y rhyming text describes just how much three chicks adore Mommy.
Why do the little ones love Mommy so? This doting mother checks on her chicks when they make a “Pío!” in the night. She’s patient with her babies and cuddles with them. To show just how much they love her, the chicks surprise her with a handmade card, a bouquet of flowers, and a stack of pancakes. The celebration of mother-child love makes this a sweet read for Mother’s Day even though the holiday isn’t specifically mentioned. The three chicks are distinctive: One is bespectacled, another wears a sailor hat, and the third sports a pink bow. The backgrounds of all of the images feature soft colored circles and plenty of hearts. The chicks conspiratorially shush readers as they prepare their surprises for Mommy, and their pride, hope, and love are readily apparent. The best use of the flaps is the one that serves as the hen’s wing as she snuggles up with her little ones. The theme of parent-child love can be seen in many similar board books, but while there isn’t anything novel here, it’s still sweet. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Familiar territory, though mother-child love never really gets too tired. (Board book. 1-2)Pub Date: Nov. 8, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-954689-03-9
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 31, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2022
Categories: CHILDREN'S POETRY | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY
Did you like this book?
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A wintertime story that can be sung to the tune of “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.”
The itsy bitsy snowman and his friends are playing in the snow. They climb up a snowy hill, jump on a sled, slide fast, and zip past children skating on ice. Then, though the text tells readers that he “dodged a snowball fight,” his head becomes separated from his body. Not to worry, “out came his friends / to lend a happy hand.” In the last spread the itsy bitsy snowman stands with his mom, dad, and friends, “And everything was perfect / in his winter wonderland.” The story, intended to be read to the tune of the beloved nursery rhyme, doesn’t always quite fit the template, as in: “The itsy bitsy snowman / climbed up the snowy hill. // He jumped on a sled / and slid fast…what a thrill!” For no obvious reason, on every page one word is printed in a different color from the rest of the text. Rescek’s illustrations are bright, cheery, and cartoonlike, with an appropriate wintry pale blue as the dominant color. Though sweet and cute, there is nothing particularly fresh or new here.
Take it, or leave it. (Board book. 1-2)Pub Date: Sept. 22, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4814-4837-6
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 16, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016
Did you like this book?
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
More than anything else, Little Bear likes playing with Mommy and Daddy.
As Little Bear stands among his toys sporting a cute red-and-white–striped shirt, readers learn that after playing with his toys, “he looks forward to playing with Mommy and Daddy… / …and Mommy and Daddy can’t wait to play with him!” And play they do. Daddy tickles his tummy, “picks him up high and lands him like a plane,” and comforts him when he’s upset. Mommy rubs his nose with hers. And Mommy and Daddy pass Little Bear between them like a ball. The action is helped along by appropriately placed, sturdy die cuts, gatefolds, and flaps. A half-page flap is used to show Little Bear going back and forth between Mommy and Daddy; a gatefold opens up to show that Daddy has just landed a joyful Little Bear. The members of Tharlet’s anthropomorphic bear family have warm, expressive faces, mostly white backgrounds keeping the focus centered on the characters. In this sweet book even Little Bear’s toys sport smiles. Young readers will easily recognize the simple interactions from their own families’ expressions of affection, and they’ll enjoy poking little fingers through the round die cuts.
As warm and fuzzy as a loving bear family can be. (Board book. 1-2)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-988-8341-97-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: minedition
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY
Did you like this book?
© Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
