Another design success for Jaramillo and the lucky babies who are given this book.
In this bilingual version of a traditional Mexican counting song, an ever growing herd of elefantitos plays on a spider’s web.
It works out better than one might think, at least at first. “One / little elephant / balanced oh so elegant / right on the web of a spider…” begins the rhyming text on verso, while on recto a smiling gray elephant improbably balances on a line of spider silk strung across the page. A big, blue numeral 1 floats in the air next to it, while below is printed the refrain: “Along came a friend, from around the bend / and the elephant called to invite her.” A blue-and-white–striped pull-tab allows readers to cock the elephant’s head at the yet-unseen elephant on its way. It all goes well from one through five, but that sixth elephant results in a snapped line, a startled-looking spider, and a spread-spanning green “Ooooops!” As with Jaramillo’s earlier Los Pollitos / Little Chickies (2016), the book is constructed concertina-fashion, with the same illustrations but the original, Spanish text on the other side: “Un elefante / se balanceaba / sobra la tela / de una araña… // Como veía, que resistía, / fue a llamar a otro elefante.” The pull-tabs all work smoothly, and the numerals and pull-tab stripes change color along the spectrum as the book proceeds.
Another design success for Jaramillo and the lucky babies who are given this book. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Nov. 27, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-9969959-1-7
Page Count: 10
Publisher: Encantos
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
A pleasant holiday spent with a perfectly charming character.
One of Boynton's signature characters celebrates Halloween.
It's Halloween time, and Pookie the pig is delighted. Mom helps the little porker pick out the perfect Halloween costume, a process that spans the entire board book. Using an abcb rhyme scheme, Boynton dresses Pookie in a series of cheerful costumes, including a dragon, a bunny, and even a caped superhero. Pookie eventually settles on the holiday classic, a ghost, by way of a bedsheet. Boynton sprinkles in amusing asides to her stanzas as Pookie offers costume commentary ("It's itchy"; "It's hot"; "I feel silly"). Little readers will enjoy the notion of transforming themselves with their own Halloween costumes while reading this book, and a few parents may get some ideas as well. Boynton's clean, sharp illustrations are as good as ever. This is Pookie's first holiday title, but readers will surely welcome more.
A pleasant holiday spent with a perfectly charming character. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: July 7, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-553-51233-5
Page Count: 18
Publisher: Robin Corey/Random
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In this board book designed for the littlest llama lovers, adorable-as-ever Llama Llama (Llama Llama Red Pajama, 2005, etc.) gets ready for some Halloween fun.
Dewdney’s characteristic spare, apt rhymes convey a lot of action in effortlessly readable fashion. A charming and simple introduction to Halloween and its associated activities, this title finds little Llama Llama choosing and carving a pumpkin, pouring candy into bowls, picking out a costume and, finally, trick-or-treating. The costume Llama Llama decides to don—pointy teeth and a black mask and cape—is enough to frighten and fool his friends but not readers, who will immediately recognize and smile at the silly little mini-Dracula. With Dewdney’s characters as expressive as ever, young readers will be drawn right into the holiday fun, eagerly anticipating which costume Llama Llama will choose and excited to see him scare his friends and score some candy at trick-or-treat. In the equally appealing companion title, Llama Llama Jingle Bells,the little fellow gets ready for Christmas, baking and decorating some cookies in anticipation of Santa’s arrival. This simple holiday title will win Llama Llama new fans, and old friends will want to add it and its companion to their collections. (Board book. 1-2)
Pub Date: Aug. 19, 2014
ISBN: 978-0451469786
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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