There’s a subtle lesson here to slow down and evaluate before making a decision. But with this book, a snap judgement holds...
This year Santa is in a big hurry with his Christmas Eve deliveries. In fact, he’s so rushed that he is delivering packages by helicopter.
He dashes up to each house, takes a quick peek in the window, and tosses in a present for the sleeping animal or child with an accompanying comment in a speech balloon. The windows are die-cut shapes in the right-hand pages, with each one revealing just a small portion of the sleeping resident. After the first present is delivered, Santa’s snap judgements go awry, as he mistakes a dinosaur’s plates for the ears of a fox, rows of bunny ears for a crocodile’s teeth, and so on. After the die-cut page is turned, the reader can see what the animal really is, but Santa is blissfully unaware. Young readers will love knowing more than Santa does. A delightful finale finds all the animals and one boy enjoying their presents, which all work out just fine in the end. Gomi’s understated illustrations use geometric shapes, deep, saturated colors, and the cleverly placed window die-cuts to give the story added dimension. This Santa is an older Asian man with a white mustache and a deep pink suit. The only other human character is an Asian boy with dark tan skin and black hair.
There’s a subtle lesson here to slow down and evaluate before making a decision. But with this book, a snap judgement holds up—it’s a winner. (Picture book. 2-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4521-5138-0
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2016
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.
Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
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A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
Another creature is on the loose.
The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
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