Interactive features carry this unicorn board book for toddlers.
Unicorns, rainbows, and interactive features come together in this durable board book.
A perky unicorn graces the cover, and the wheel integrated in the cover page can be used to rotate the sparkly, colorful lines on her rainbow mane, tail, and hooves for a pleasant striped effect. “A unicorn skipped out one day, / spreading magic on her way.” The rainbow unicorn wanders through her enchanted land, chasing away the clouds, stopping rain, and fixing torn fairy wings. Text is sparse, just one sentence-cum-couplet on each of the four double-page spreads, offering little substance for toddlers and not fully connecting with the illustrations. Cartoony illustrations are colorful yet simplistic, reminiscent of animated children’s television programming. Wafting clouds of stars represent unicorn magic, with birds, flowers, pale-skinned fairies, butterflies, and other insects scattered throughout. The final double-page spread shows a herd of unicorns of different colors frolicking together. Beyond the wheel on the cover, other interactive mechanisms include smooth pull-out tabs and sturdy sliders, which toddlers may easily enjoy while developing motor skills. The turn-push-pull-slide features of this book are developmentally perfect for the age, and they are the true adventure in this sturdy book. It’s a shame the text and illustrations fail to deliver in terms of edutainment and pale in comparison to the interactive features.
Interactive features carry this unicorn board book for toddlers. (Novelty board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Feb. 12, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4197-3729-9
Page Count: 8
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Review Posted Online: Jan. 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
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
A good choice for young transportation lovers.
A rhyming picture book about a yellow rescue helicopter geared toward toddlers.
Simple, onomatopoeic text and bright illustrations tell the story of a new, yellow rescue helicopter that receives its first assignment. The smiling, friendly-looking rescue copter is rendered in bold colors that contrast nicely with the gray-blue background. The unencumbered art style helps make the various parts of a helicopter easily identifiable. Some double-page spreads focus on the names of the helicopter parts (rotors, tail boom, skids, etc.), which should appeal to readers who are interested in mechanical transportation. The plot concerns a teacher who is stuck at the top of a Ferris wheel and needs saving. While both the group of ethnically diverse students watching from the ground and the teacher up on the wheel look distressed, they do not look afraid, and the tone is one of hope, which should assuage anxious readers. Whenever the words “yellow copter” appear in the text, they are always printed in yellow, which makes sense and will help teach color association, but other words arbitrarily printed in colored type may confuse young readers. The interpretation of the sound (“whup, whup, whup”) helicopters make—as well as other sounds—should make for a bouncy read-aloud.
A good choice for young transportation lovers. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: May 19, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-451-46991-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2015
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