Review by New York Times Review
Every mother of two remembers the moment she viewed her firstborn as a threat: couldn't this unpredictable elder child accidentally topple, drop or otherwise maim the newest addition to the family? Especially if he's like Spencer, an exuberant boy who gambols among an imagined menagerie in his expansive backyard jungle. Schaefer offers a fresh take on the "getting a new sibling" book, which doesn't introduce the enemy until the last pages. But those final spreads are so tenderly wrought they will bring tears to any hormonally challenged mother's eyes. Young readers still may not want Spencer's baby sibling, but they will definitely want his backyard. CHLOE Written and illustrated by Peter McCarty. 40 pp. Balzar & Bray/HarperCollins Publishers. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 2 to 6) Drawn in delicate pen-and-ink and watercolors, McCarty's impeccably cute creatures seem to hover magically in midair, like little balloons in some fantastical, vaguely Japanese idyll. In this story, middle-bunny Chloe (making a return appearance after "Henry in Love") is one of 21 sisters and brothers. And she loves it But one day, her father brings home an intruder: a brand-new television. Chloe doesn't love it. After this ode to imaginative piay among siblings, we can understand why Henry fell so deeply in love. CHLOE, INSTEAD Written and illustrated by Micah Player. 32pp. Chronicle Books. $15.99. (Picture book; ages 3 to 6) Chloe again! (To be expected - it's currently on the top 10 baby-name list) But here the Chloe is unwanted. Molly "was hoping for a little sister who was just like me." She got Chloe instead. Molly colors with crayons. Chloe eats them. Molly reads books. Chloe tears them up. This is an all too familiar tale. But Player's retro-modern illustrations, with their pop-art palette (he worked for Paul Frank industries as a designer), put this tale of sisterly rivalry an aesthetic notch above the rest The final image of the two sisters snuggling is pure parental delight. TALLULAH'S SOLO By Marilyn Singer. Illustrated by Alexander Böiger. 40 pp. Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8) Ballet book series generally introduce a boy to the corps by Volume 2 or 3, and a ruckus of some sort generally ensues. In this charming follow-up to 2011's "Tallulah's Tutu" the new boy happens to be a little brother. In a sweet twist, Tallulah is initially proud of Beckett. But when he spends class time sliding around in his ballet slippers and picking his nose, she is less than pleased. The competition between perfectionist big sister and rambunctious little brother will ring true to all readers familiar with the types. Both kids learn a lesson. MOOSHKA A Quilt Story. Written and illustrated by Julie Paschkis. 32pp. Peachtree. $16.95. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8) Mothers who quilt (they suddenly seem as common as mothers who blog) will adore this gorgeously illustrated story about Karla, a girl whose grandmother teaches her to appreciate quilting. Karla's homemade quilt, "Mooshka," helps her sleep at night, "telling" her stories about the various squares in her fabric. When Hannah and her crib move into the bedroom, Karla's initial reaction is: "Unfair. Stinky. My room." But Karla soon learns that Mooshka can comfort Hannah too. If only aU quilts stopped babies from crying. PAMELA PAUL ONLINE A slide show of this week's illustrated books at nytimes.com/books.
Copyright (c) The New York Times Company [May 13, 2012]
Review by Booklist Review
Although Tallulah is initially pleased when little brother, Beckett, signs up for ballet lessons, her mood sours when she is overlooked for the lead role of princess in The Frog Prince and he is cast as the frog. In the end, she helps Beckett rehearse and reaps an unexpected reward. This conveys Tallulah's shifting emotions as a dancer and as a sister with equal perception and finesse. Full of light and grace, Boiger's watercolor illustrations bring the characters to life in lively paintings. An appealing choice for ballet lovers and a fine sequel to Tallulah's Tutu (2011).--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Tallulah, the aspiring ballerina whose tutu tunnel vision led to a meltdown in Tallulah's Tutu, is as determined as ever to achieve her dancing dream. But when her brother, Beckett, who does nothing but pick his nose and goof off in ballet class, wins a bigger role than she does in a production of The Frog Prince, Tallulah is seriously chagrined. Though Tallulah's turnaround is a tad hasty, Singer conveys her initial frustration and disappointment with authenticity, while Boiger's gouache and watercolor art is as fluid and graceful as a pirouette. Ages 4-8. Illustrator's agent: Marcia Wernick, Wernick & Pratt. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Tallulah is a wonderful dancer and she's certain that she will be chosen for the principal role in the upcoming ballet recital. However, she's worried that her scatter-brained younger brother, Beckett, who just began taking ballet lessons, might not be chosen even for a minor part. As Tallulah warns and encourages Beckett, she imagines the accolades that will come her way when she stars in the production, complete with thunderous applause and beautiful bouquets. Tallulah is dismayed when Beckett earns a leading role and she is relegated to the cast. Although the story line is immersed in the world of dance, Singer's picture book (Clarion, 2012) offers a lesson in handling the universal feelings of disappointment and sibling jealousy. She doesn't shy away from the messiness of emotions, but rather offers an honest perspective of Tallulah's tantrum and her need to be noticed. Alexandra Boiger's watercolor illustrations and her use of fainter washes to depict Tallulah's imagination are brilliant. Christina Moore's narration is clear and precise, and she accurately portrays Beckett's character in just four syllables, "Uh-huh, uh-huh." Page-turn signals are optional.-Terri Perper, Middletown Public Library, MD (c) Copyright 2013. 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
Ballerina Tallulah's younger brother Beckett joins her dance class. When he lands a solo in their production of The Frog Prince and she does not, Tallulah sulks. She eventually realizes that Beckett takes ballet to emulate her, then helps him practice; she's rewarded in the casting of their next recital. The sweet story is illustrated in soft, appropriately dainty watercolors. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The ballerina-in-training sparkles in her return engagement when she learns to be a good big sister and to share the spotlight. Tallulah, of Tallulah's Tutu (2011), is certain that she will star in her school's winter recital of the Frog Prince and shows little patience with younger brother, Beckett, who has joined her in ballet studies. Her head swells with visions of flowers for her outstanding performance as the princess. Meanwhile, Beckett pays little attention and even spends a stint in the time-out chair. Surprise! Beckett's jumping skills land him the role of the Frog before princedom, and Tallulah is, alas, only a lady-in-waiting. The moment of reckoning arrives when their mother asks Tallulah to help her crying and nervous little brother. That she does, commendably. The result is a wonderful performance that is instrumental in landing each of them starring roles in the spring production of Hansel and Gretel. Veteran Singer approaches both issuesego and sibling bondingwith a sure hand. Boiger once again uses watercolors in balletic shades of lilac, blue and green to great effect and creates a welcoming studio and stage setting. A lovely story that gently and effectively presents common childhood difficulties wrapped in a world of tutus and sparkles. (Picture book. 3-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
