This awkward attempt to force underwear out into the open will likely please many toddlers but few of their grown-ups.
This celebration of briefs (not boxers) leaves little to the imagination.
Bear receives an envelope inviting him to follow a trail of undergarments. His journey leads him deep into the dark woods, and even under the kitchen sink, in search of these undies. The final clue takes him to a disco, where blocky, big-eyed, SpongeBob SquarePants–like characters don their recently recovered underpants. A hairy monster with polka-dot briefs, jagged teeth and bare feet balances a bunny and porcupine in either hand and serves as the unusual party's host. “Welcome to FUN-TO-WEAR, / a party about underwear! / Here's every pattern / and every pair. / Count all Ten and shout: / HOORAY FOR BEAR!” Tabbed, numbered pages help readers keep track of the corresponding clothing. Tabs, text bubbles and backgrounds are all color-coordinated with the various undies. Any substantial plot or character development is sacrificed to the gleeful celebration of tightywhities (or stripies, or plaidies or swirlies).
This awkward attempt to force underwear out into the open will likely please many toddlers but few of their grown-ups. (Board book. 2-3)Pub Date: May 29, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-60905-204-1
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Blue Apple
Review Posted Online: June 12, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2012
These busy arrangements require an older audience and a different format.
Though bright and bold, this exploration of color demonstrates a dreary understanding of tots' abilities.
Clearly recognizable photographs, several to a spread, present both objects regularly associated with specific colors (yellow school bus, red ladybug) and those that occur in many hues (crayon, flower). Each color is introduced in a clear spread that features several labeled objects, while the following spread asks the audience to find items of that color in a crowded scene full of like choices. “This is candy for a special after-dinner treat. Can you find everything orange?” The scattering of orange-peel candies and an array of gumdrops and jelly beans in eye-poppingly bright shades makes it difficult to distinguish among the treats. Each of these spreads also presents a factoid in an inset circle that lacks any context for the toddling set. “GUESS WHAT? / It takes 7 to 21 days to make a jellybean.” Companion title Same and Different requires a similarly advanced skill set, asking listeners to "spot the difference."
These busy arrangements require an older audience and a different format. (Board book. 2-3)Pub Date: June 12, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4263-0929-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: National Geographic
Review Posted Online: June 12, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Though a bit of a bust in the concept department, it’s a good way to set the stage for friends like George and Martha, Frog...
A new pair of best friends for the board-book crowd is introduced in this Australian import.
Lionel (a lion, natch) and Molly (a tiny mouse) make an improbable pair of best friends. Despite the size and dietary differences, though, they like the same things: jumping in puddles, picking apples, soaking up the sun, and watching leaves fall. Each activity is conveniently paired with a color—blue, green, yellow, red, respectively. Unfortunately, the tactile elements on each spread are unrelated to the color. For example, the puddle-jumping spread shows off a shiny fuchsia umbrella, while the “big blue puddle” is not highlighted. On the next page, Lionel's fuzzy yellow belly will attract little fingers, while the green apple referred to in the text is hidden in an equally green tree. In fact, recognizing and naming the colors is incidental to this simple story of friendship. Companion Opposites works somewhat better, though again the tactile elements seem arbitrarily chosen instead of carefully used to direct the child's attention to essential concepts. For example, on the page that says “Lionel is BIG. / Molly is small,” the bees are both fuzzy and, in one case, bigger than the mouse. The sweet tales of friendship overcome these minor flaws. Lionel and Molly's friendship will be a useful model for toddlers who are just starting to move beyond parallel play to social interaction.
Though a bit of a bust in the concept department, it’s a good way to set the stage for friends like George and Martha, Frog and Toad, and Elephant and Piggie. (Board book. 2-3)Pub Date: June 2, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4998-0049-4
Page Count: 12
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
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