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RAINDROP, PLOP!

Name: RAINDROP, PLOP!
Author: Wendy Cheyette Lewison
ISBN: 0-670-03620-X

by Wendy Cheyette Lewison & illustrated by Pam Paparone ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2004

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A little girl frolics among the raindrops in this effervescent counting book. Out on a stormy day accompanied by her pup, she counts the droplets of rain falling down. Snappy little rhyming couplets keep the pace lively as she counts from one to ten. When the intensifying storm drives her indoors, the she counts down, enumerating the homey items around her as she warms up and enjoys a tasty snack. Text and art work in harmony to convey the full charm of this tale. Paparone carefully highlights the appropriate number of raindrops in each illustration; however, readers will be challenged to locate the higher number of drops amid the onslaught of the approaching deluge. The full-bleed pictures are laden with lush colors; the rich crimson of the tot’s raincoat and galoshes provides a crisp contrast with the bright emerald of the lawn, while the interior bath scenes are filled with a vivid array of lemon yellows and tangerine oranges. Finishing on a triumphant note with the sun bursting forth, this bright tale is just right for snuggling up on a stormy day. (Picture book. 2-6)

Pub Date: March 1, 2004

ISBN: 0-670-03620-X

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2004

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PRINCE AND THE POTTY
by Wendy Cheyette Lewison & illustrated by Keiko Motoyama

- BOOK REVIEW
TWO IS FOR TWINS
by Wendy Cheyette Lewison & illustrated by Hiroe Nakata

- BOOK REVIEW
THE ROOSTER WHO LOST HIS CROW
by Wendy Cheyette Lewison & illustrated by Thor Wickstrom

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HALLOWEEN ABC

by Nosy Crow ; illustrated by Jannie Ho ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 18, 2017

While the ghoulies here are more cute than scary, “jump,” “quiver,” and “run” will probably get across the idea to even the...

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An abecedary of spooky or autumnal delights for the littlest readers.

Each letter of the alphabet is highlighted on a single page, the upper- and lowercase letters appearing in the upper left-hand corner, while the object is named at the bottom or in the upper right. Ho keeps her illustrations simple and places them against plain, brightly colored backgrounds, keeping them accessible to those still learning about Halloween’s many icons. The almost-fluorescent orange cover is sure to attract attention, and the palette of black, purple, orange, yellow, and radioactive green enhances the Halloween mood. But while many of the chosen items will be expected—bats, ghost, haunted house, owl, skeleton, vampire, witch, zombie—others are rather odd choices. J is for “jump,” not jack-o’-lantern (“pumpkin” is illustrated with a jack-o’-lantern); K is for a mostly black “kitten” standing in a coffin; and N is for “nightmare,” which is virtually impossible to express visually for this age group without provoking said nightmare. Here, a lavender-skinned child (zombie?) in pajamas and nightcap has arms raised and mouth open wide in surprise—perhaps in response to the mummy across the gutter? The tough letters use “quiver,” spider-decorated “underpants” on a monster, and “extra treats,” the x underlined.

While the ghoulies here are more cute than scary, “jump,” “quiver,” and “run” will probably get across the idea to even the youngest listeners that Halloween can be scary. (Board book. 2-4)

Pub Date: July 18, 2017

ISBN: 978-0-7636-9527-9

Page Count: 28

Publisher: Nosy Crow

Review Posted Online: Aug. 6, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2018

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
LOIS LOOKS FOR BOB AT THE BEACH
by Nosy Crow ; illustrated by Gerry Turley

- BOOK REVIEW
FIRST WORDS
by Nosy Crow ; illustrated by The Trustees of the British Museum

- BOOK REVIEW
LOIS LOOKS FOR BOB AT HOME
by Nosy Crow ; illustrated by Gerry Turley

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THE CRAYONS GO BACK TO SCHOOL

by Drew Daywalt ; illustrated by Oliver Jeffers ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 16, 2023

Nothing new here but a nonetheless congenial matriculant in publishing’s autumnal rite of back-to-school offerings.

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The Crayons head back to class in this latest series entry.

Daywalt’s expository text lays out the basics as various Crayons wave goodbye to the beach, choose a first-day outfit, greet old friends, and make new ones. As in previous outings, the perennially droll illustrations and hand-lettered Crayon-speak drive the humor. The ever wrapperless Peach, opining, “What am I going to wear?” surveys three options: top hat and tails, a chef’s toque and apron, and a Santa suit. New friends Chunky Toddler Crayon (who’s missing a bite-sized bit of their blue point) and Husky Toddler Crayon speculate excitedly on their common last name: “I wonder if we’re related!” White Crayon, all but disappearing against the page’s copious white space, sits cross-legged reading a copy of H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man. And Yellow and Orange, notable for their previous existential argument about the color of the sun, find agreement in science class: Jupiter, clearly, is yellow AND orange. Everybody’s excited about art class—“Even if they make a mess. Actually…ESPECIALLY if they make a mess!” Here, a spread of crayoned doodles of butterflies, hearts, and stars is followed by one with fulsome scribbles. Fans of previous outings will spot cameos from Glow in the Dark and yellow-caped Esteban (the Crayon formerly known as Pea Green). (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nothing new here but a nonetheless congenial matriculant in publishing’s autumnal rite of back-to-school offerings. (Picture book. 4-6)