This bit of wish-fulfillment is, frankly, as irresistible as a kitty’s belly.
A little girl asks for a kitten but is told, “Not today, Chloe.” Readers then discover what Chloe loves about kitties and how much she wants one, a wish that leads the single-minded toddler to see cats everywhere for the rest of the day.
Chloe herself seems inspired by the Hello Kitty aesthetic, with her black-dot eyes, red-line mouth and polka-dot hair bow. The cartoon drawings—just black outlines filled with matte colors—of supple, chubby felines capture the cats’ adorable qualities as they purr, exhibit their fluffy bellies and pink paws, and sniff with their “dainty little noses.” The text is simple but descriptive, just one or two lines per page, and appears in nice big type, inviting preschoolers to try reading for themselves. The sequence of imaginative kitty-sightings will hold appeal for both children and adults, not because the cats are difficult to spot but because the situations are comical: Chloe sees kitty in a beehive hairdo, a delicious mound of cotton candy and a cloud (a quirky homage to Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam). Naturally, when Chloe goes to sleep, she visits Kitty City. There is no tension and drama here, for in this feel-good episode, Chloe wakes to find the pet of her dreams outside her bedroom door.
This bit of wish-fulfillment is, frankly, as irresistible as a kitty’s belly. (Picture book. 2-5)Pub Date: Sept. 24, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-59643-862-0
Page Count: 42
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: April 23, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2013
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.
A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.
From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780316581721
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
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