Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
If Braun (Back to Bed, Ed!) were a less skilled illustrator, his story of Pop, a tiny hardworking tugboat that saves an arrogant-turned-grateful tanker named Toot, could be tiresome in its earnestness. But his cheery artwork and saturated preschool palette are hard to resist, even if this is a book in which "That's what friends are for!" and "It's all in a day's work" are the extent of the wrapup. Braun imagines a toylike harbor where just about everything has a smiling face and googly eyes; thick black outlines, colors that are not quite flat (the purple-lavender water is especially nice), and an impressive assortment of framings give the pages surprising energy. Pop is also a big plus, so to speak: he's so small that he literally has to look up to everyone (just like the target audience), but he's competent and ever the optimist. Thomas the Tank Engine and Little Toot have nothing to worry about, but Braun's story should hold readers' attention and maybe even inspire some bathtub re-enactments. Ages 2-5. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Brandon and his older brother, Riley, are preparing a party for their mother while she is out shopping. They bake a cake, make a birthday card, and construct a pinata. When she returns, the children are thrilled at her surprised expression, not realizing that she may be astonished at the mess they created. The whimsical illustrations have a lot going on, and young children will enjoy inspecting them in detail. Insets explain the history and traditions associated with birthday celebrations, including some traditions from other countries. In the next book, Chelsea and her parents are preparing for Chinese New Year. On the evening before the big day, they gather with extended family for a feast with all of the traditional foods. The cartoon illustrations are colorful and appealing. Insets explain the history and traditions associated with Chinese New Year, both in China and in the United States. A chart of the Chinese zodiac is included. In the third book, Emma and her family are preparing for Easter. They decorate eggs, go to church, eat jelly beans, have dinner with Emma's grandparents, and hunt for eggs. The illustrations, which feature a biracial family, are colorful and expressive. Instructions for making paper Easter flowers are included. Divided into short chapters, these volumes are primarily informational books with stories as backdrops.-Debbie Lewis, Alachua County Library District, FL (c) Copyright 2012. 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 Kirkus Book Review
A big ship slaps the helping hand of a little tugboat in Braun's straightforward tale of reckoning. Pop the tug lives in a harbor populated with grand boats, presented by Braun on magnetic two-page spreads in the bold, thick colors of first-grade art class. The scenes bustle with purpose and the pleasure that comes with being engaged in work that you like; Pop squires his heavy loads with the easy hand of experience. Smiles grace all the elements of the picture, from the crane to the lighthouse. Then a great big new ship, Toot by name, all high and mighty with the arrogance of the clueless, arrives and declines Pop's offer of a towrope. "I'm big and strong. I don't need help from anyone, especially you." Toot proceeds to run into the seawall, gets dressed down by the harbormaster and humbly accepts Pop's tow back to the boatyard. There is a high degree of charm in the baldness of this pint-sized parable. The pacing is pleasingly swift, and the mood is upbeat. And it is impossible not to be smitten by a book with such ingenuous opening words: "This is Pop. Hello, Pop!" A jaunty, minimalist drama that radiates a sense that all will be right by the time the sun goes down. (Picture book. 2-5)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
