An amusing anthropomorphic tale about exuberant parent-and-child collaborations.
Calamities occur when a young monkey and his father attempt ambitious projects in this picture book.
A bespectacled monkey and his father work on renovations and improvement projects. But Dad’s enthusiastic yet sometimes-careless nature causes a commotion. For example, he gets doused in paint and electrocutes himself connecting lightbulbs. Although the son is annoyed when Dad accidentally shuts off the power, his father says: “Only a minor mishap!” Father and son embark on a project to construct a treehouse so “Dad can build a room of his own!” They begin with a blueprint of a building on an extended tree branch surrounded by other monkeys’ dwellings. With dedication and teamwork, they make the place materialize. The son says: “It’s a breeze! And so much fun!” Although an illustration shows the treehouse looking messy (it’s askew and wrapped in yellow and black tape) compared to the other monkeys’ digs, father and son are proud. Featuring animated, active language (BANG, ZAAAPP), Brown’s story is a superb read-aloud choice. Parents and kids with their own joint endeavors will relate to the characters’ challenges and triumphs. Lin’s colorful cartoon illustrations depict the two monkeys’ spirited process. They include vivid details that emphasize construction, like hard hats and tools, and textures, such as wood accents. Clever additions have kid appeal, like a computer labeled “APE-LE.” The last spread is particularly joyful, showing monkeys playing on equipment, including slides and a ball pit on a tree.
An amusing anthropomorphic tale about exuberant parent-and-child collaborations.Pub Date: March 22, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-73774-470-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: 4 Blank Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
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
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
Another creature is on the loose.
The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
bookshelf
