Review by Booklist Review
Imaginative play is the fun in this small, square book in the new Playtime with Little Nye series about four animal friends. Little bear Gracie packs a knapsack and tells her pals (including Little Nye, an adorable creature whose species is unclear) that she is going into the wild. She plans to climb a mountain, possibly meet a grizzly, and camp in the dark. The pictures show her doing all of those things, and when her friends ask if they can go with her, she studies her map and leads the way--to the wild at the end of the yard. The words are simple, though some of the bright illustrations in watercolor and digital collage may be a little cluttered for the young preschool audience. Still, kids will enjoy sharing the games the animal characters play, finding adventure right where they live. The second series installment, Vacation Time, is scheduled for simultaneous release.--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Little Nye's pals Gracie, Lester, and Nella lead the way as the friends work together to have fun. Into the Wild opens as Gracie packs a knapsack with supplies and map-ready to head to the far reaches of the backyard for camping. Gracie has questions about her friends' readiness, but they insist that they can be brave adventurers. In It's Vacation Time, Little Nye makes ice pops for a summer treat while Nella packs a large suitcase. Lester and Gracie offer to help, but she has everything under control; from the seemingly bottomless suitcase appear a ball, kite, shovel, and pail for beach games. "It's vacation time!" she says-but the suitcase won't shut. Out comes more: a swim tube, fins, and face mask for paddling and watching fish. The suitcase still won't shut. As Little Nye asks once more about the case contents, ever-prepared Nella pulls out an entire boat, and Gracie ends the story with a problem-solving suggestion to please all. Illustrations in gouache and digital collage follow the action with brightly colored figures, toys in basic shapes, and a friendly quartet of animal pals with recognizable human personalities. Sweet, simple stories for sharing with young audiences.-Mary Elam, Learning Media Services Plano ISD, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
When Nella overpacks (Vacation), her animal friends help whittle down the cargo; in the end they decide to vacation at home. Gracie plans to go Into the Wild, and her friends prove they have the right stuff to join her...in the backyard. Both books celebrate friendship and imagination; the clean design, kind characters, and simple dialogue will charm readers. [Review covers these titles: Into the Wild and It's Vacation Time.] Copyright 2010 of The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
