Review: Flora and the Chicks: A Counting Book by Molly Idle
Source: Hardcopy courtesy of Raincoast Books. Thank you!
Publication: March 7, 2017 by Chronicle Books
Book Description:
Inspired by the main character of the Caldecott Honor book Flora and the Flamingo, this new series of board books is perfect for the very youngest Flora fans. When a nest of eggs begins to hatch, how will Flora ever keep up with so many chicks? Featuring fold-out pages and Molly Idle’s graceful artwork, this adorable counting book will delight young children as they master new words and concepts.
If you are on the lookout for an adorable board book and/or an adorable counting board book, then may I please present to you the absolutely gorgeous and sparkling Flora and the Chicks? I have talked a few times about my love of Molly Idle’s illustrations– as well as my love for the character of young dancer Flora- and it is so wonderful to see her artwork (and the character of Flora!) newly introduced in board book form.
From one to a big finish of ten, the balletic and delightful Flora takes us on a counting adventure with some of the most adorable (and madcap) hatching chicks. Idle’s previous Flora books were quite exceptional and unique in how lift the flaps were deployed in picture books; this board book also uses flaps to great effect. Flora and the Chicks makes use of left-side opening as well as right-side opening sturdy flaps on every other page: not only to emphasize Flora’s flowing and changing balletic positions and movements as she tends to the hatching chicks, but also to highlight the gentle shenanigans that the baby chicks get up to after hatching.
Overall, a delicious board book that I, quite simply, love to bits. A wonderful addition to the roster of early learning counting board books, and a special treat for readers who have enjoyed reading Flora’s many adventures and were hoping for more! Much of the joy in Flora and the Chicks is in Idle’s radiant, fluid and funny artwork. The author-illustrator manages that perfect line between art and humour, making her work something that really can be (and is!) appreciated by readers of all ages.
Review: Little Oink by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illus. Jen Corace
Source: Hardcopy courtesy of Raincoast Books. Thank you!
Publication: March 7, 2017 by Chronicle Books (originally published in 2009)
Book Description:
Little Oink is a neat little fellow. Clean, clean, clean, that’s all he wants to do. But Mama and Papa won’t have it! They say in order to be a proper pig he has to learn to make a proper mess. What’s a little pig to do? Now available as a board book, Little Oink shows Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace applying their traditionally wry humor to the issue of cleaning up, in a laugh-out-loud romp that is sure to make readers giggle with recognition.
The recent death of acclaimed and beloved author and filmmaker Amy Krouse Rosenthal was felt deeply in the children’s literature community and far beyond. I have to say that when I opened up my mail to discover the board book of Little Oink, I felt it in my heart. For years now, I have been a fan of the author’s work, always looking forward to reading and discovering what Krouse Rosenthal would next publish. I remember reading Little Pea, adoring it, then reading my way through Spoon, Chopsticks, Plant a Kiss, Exclamation Mark, and more, as they were published. Little Oink is one of the titles in Little Books series, illustrated by Jen Corace, and is an example of the truly lovely and lively voice rooted in all of Krouse Rosenthal’s books.
As we meet Little Oink, we get to learn a number of things about him, but perhaps the most important thing we learn is that Little Oink loves things to be neat. And because Little Oink likes neatness and tidying, he does not like the fact that he, because he is a pig, has to be messy! Little Oink is expected to ‘make a mess, mess, MESS’, but would much rather clean his room and wear freshly washed and spotless clothing. Little Oink’s parents, as we find out, do their best to encourage Little Oink to make MESS- even making sure that Little Oink messes up his room and puts on dirty clothes before going out to play. While most piggies and other animals might jump at the chance to freely make messes, Little Oink is less than thrilled. But, being a good little piggy, he messes up enough to please his parents and then goes off, happily, to play his favourite (tidy) game: house! Sure to engage readers with its ‘role reversal’ of a little pig who loves to be as neat as a pin, Little Oink is at once a tranquil, comfortable kind of read with just-right moments of visual levity and humour.
Little Oink is a sweet, quietly funny, and all-around engaging read. Jen Corace’s illustrations are so charming; clean, precise lines, bright colours, and beautifully imagined, personable pigs are perfect here for Krouse Rosenthal’s text. Any readers who are fans of the work of Peter H. Reynolds, Patrick McDonnell, Karma Wilson or Kevin Henkes, those who have previously enjoyed Little Pea, Little Hoot, or who have loved any of Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s incredible roster of picture books might especially want to meet Little Oink.
I received copies of these titles courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions and comments are my own.
Advertisements Share this:- More
