A pleasant brain-tickler for toddlers old enough to make the metaphorical leap.
Little ones learn about the “clothes” animals wear.
A sheep wears a “fluffy jacket,” and a snake wears a “snug stocking” in this board book from the author/illustrator of Everyone Poops. The small board book is illustrated in Gomi’s trademark style: rounded, simple animals sit against a colorful background in the center of the recto, while the text accompanies on the verso. The colors are muted and the animals offer no expression, a refreshing change of pace from the constantly smiling animals in so many other board books. Some little ones might be confused by some vocabulary (adults need to be prepared to explain what a “fancy cardigan” is), but the book entertains regardless. It’s also thought-provoking, as with the exception of the human boy that closes the story, the clothing mentioned is all metaphorical: from the goldfish’s “tie-dye skirt” to the zebra’s “striped pajamas,” the articles of clothing are all the animals’ natural scales, feathers, or fur. The end involves a brown toddler boy who discovers he is wearing “…nothing?” (depicted with rudimentary anatomical detail) and quickly puts on clothes. For little readers who hate getting dressed, this might help spark the desire.
A pleasant brain-tickler for toddlers old enough to make the metaphorical leap. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: March 7, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4521-5028-4
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: March 14, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
An amusing and lively read that celebrates a venerable literary form.
A bear desperate to hibernate seeks refuge from neighbors.
A big brown bear is dressed in pajamas and ready to turn in for winter when suddenly: “KNOCK KNOCK.” “Who’s there?” asks the bear. “Justin the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by!” responds a fox bearing an arm full of firewood, and thus begins a series of knock-knock jokes that brings more and more woodland neighbors into the bear’s home. The bear grows increasingly frustrated as the illustrations grow ever more frantic, the compositions filled with animals bearing party supplies, food, and gifts. Eventually it is revealed that the bear’s neighbors are merely wishing their friend a safe and happy hibernation, and readers as well as the grouchy bear will find their hearts warming as a tiny chipmunk embraces its leg, proclaiming, “Al miss you all winter long.” Little readers will enjoy the narrative Sauer builds on these knock-knock jokes, and the repetition of the format will encourage them to create some of their own. The dynamic illustrations pop with color and noise, juxtaposing nicely with the bear in PJs who’s clearly desperate for some shut-eye. The end goal of sleep makes this a nice bedtime read-aloud, particularly for little readers who may be resisting the end of the day, even as the giant, red “KNOCK KNOCK”s encourage raucous storytime participation.
An amusing and lively read that celebrates a venerable literary form. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 31, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-338-11694-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: April 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2018
Likely to be popular with young Pete the Cat fans and parents seeking a gentle introduction to preschool.
The popular character enjoys storytime, painting, and a snack on the very first day of preschool.
The younger incarnation of Pete the Cat packs his backpack that he picked out from the store himself, gets a snack from his mom, and rides the school bus with his big brother, Bob (who isn’t much bigger than Pete, sizewise). At school, Pete meets his stylish teacher, Mrs. Lopez, and fellow feline classmates while keeping his signature cool. The day ends with Pete declaring: “Preschool is awesome! Pete loves everything!” James Dean’s big-eyed cats populate the simply drawn scenes that look as though they were painted in preschool-esque fashion with thick swaths of tempera. At a couple of moments (when he eats his banana and declares it tasty and when he sings along) his customarily expressionless face actually breaks into a smile. Kimberly Dean’s text is uninspired, but it’s in sync with the upbeat tone of the series. Pete’s preschool experience, while not particularly realistic, is a highly positive one; refreshingly, there is no trace of the separation anxiety or anxiousness found in many first-day-of-school books.
Likely to be popular with young Pete the Cat fans and parents seeking a gentle introduction to preschool. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: June 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-06243582-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: HarperFestival
Review Posted Online: July 23, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
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