by Tom Hunter & illustrated by James Yang ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2002
Two little boy figures get together for a play date in a simple, repetitive text that emphasizes opposites. One page reads: “Turn it on and turn it off and turn it on again” and shows the boys pulling the chain on a lamp. The facing page shows their dark silhouettes with text only slightly altered: “Turn it off and turn it on and turn it off again.” The geometric, stick-figure illustrations with two eyes on one side of a face in profile and hair represented by several straight lines sticking up from a head the shape of a marshmallow are reminiscent of the drawings of a four-year-old. The mothers appear only as skirts and black high heels, lending the illustrations a retro feel. It’s short, sweet, simple, and made to appeal to a two-year-old whose greatest joy is to repeat endlessly his favorite activities until it’s time to “Go away and come on back and go away again.” Part of the Harper Growing Tree series that comes complete with “tips for reading and sharing.” (Picture book. 2-3)
Pub Date: May 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-694-01568-7
Page Count: 24
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2002
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by Stella Blackstone & illustrated by Caroline Mockford ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2009
The perennially popular lift-the-flap format combines with the equally well-received invitation to make animal noises in this pleasing romp through a variety of regions and biomes. An African child on the riverbank asks, “Who can snap?” Lift the flap in the reeds for the answer: “I’m a crocodile. I can!” A duck in a farm pond, a panda in a bamboo grove, a wolf on the tundra and a parrot in an Asian jungle follow in succession, all leading to a final spread that unites all the children: “And we all can sing!” Mockford’s illustrations employ baby-friendly bold, black outlines and vibrant colors. A companion volume, Walk with Me (ISBN: 978-1-84686-179-6), explores animal locomotion. (6-24 mos.)
Pub Date: March 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-84686-180-2
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2009
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by Anna Nilsen & illustrated by Anthony Lewis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2009
An ingenious interactive book allows readers to decide for the characters what they love—and what they detest. “Does Tanek like milk? / … / Is Shen going to chew the carrot?” Strung within a die-cut hole, a face of perfect Peanuts roundness is suspended, one side beaming, the other glumly frowning. With each question, readers can reach out and spin the face to answer it accordingly. The book’s audience is at an age when adults constantly seek to con them—“Of course you like eggplant!”—so this opportunity for readers to take the emotional driver’s seat is downright liberating. Children’s names and skin colors allow for a broad ethnic representation in this and the three companion volumes: Teddy or Train? (ISBN: 978-1-84643-241-5), Bath or Bed? (ISBN: 978-1-84643-239-2) and Wind or Rain? (ISBN: 978-1-84643-240-8). (Ages 6-18 mos.)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-84643-242-2
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Child's Play
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2009
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