Review by New York Times Review
"Shake your eggs high! Shake your eggs low!" Sound familiar? You've been to those neighborhood classes that introduce many toddlers (and parents) to music - and organized learning. But as Weinstone, the former punk rocker behind the popular Music for Aardvarks program, knows, not every child jumps right in. As the others rock out with their bearded teacher, one little guy needs time. By the end of this friendly, stylishly illustrated rhyme-fest, he's got the beat and hates to say goodbye. MAPLE & WILLOW APART Written and illustrated by Lori Nichols. 32 pp. Nancy Paulsen. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 2 to 6) It's a moment of hard truth every younger sibling faces: Maple is off to kindergarten, while Willow's routine stays the same. In the latest in this utterly charming series about two tree-loving sisters, Maple compounds the injury by coming home each day and gabbing endlessly about the exciting goings-on at school. Luckily, Willow finds a magical new friend, Pip, who sometimes seems like a plain old acorn. Nichols's touch is light and deft as ever as playing with Pip brings the girls together again. DAD'S FIRST DAY Written and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. 32 pp. Bloomsbury. $16.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 6) Wohnoutka's back-to-school story mines the helicopter parenting phenomenon for big laughs, even for those who may cringe in recognition. After Oliver and his father spend a summer doing everything together, it's Dad who's reluctant to face the first day of school. "My tummy hurts," he says, then dawdles and hides as Oliver worries about being late. "You're probably going to really miss me when you're at school," Dad says in the car, to which the smiling child replies, deadpan, "Sure, Daddy." MONKEY: Not Ready for Kindergarten Written and illustrated by Marc Brown. 32 pp. Knopf. $12.99. (Picture book; ages 4 to 6) Poor Monkey is not convinced by all the enthusiasm for his first day of kindergarten. He has a list of what might go wrong, like "What if his teacher doesn't like him?" A play date with future classmates and an arranged secret goodbye handshake with his parents pay off as he enters the classroom smiling. Brown patiently covers the fear-of-school bases, and his soft, child-like art, which evokes an improbably skillful grade-schooler's crayon work, helps put us inside Monkey's point of view. IF YOU EVER WANT TO BRING AN ALLIGATOR TO SCHOOL, DON'T! Written and illustrated by Elise Parsley. 32 pp. Little, Brown. $17. (Picture book; ages 4 to 7) This debut introduces Magnolia, who has a choppy black haircut and a mouth often wide open in a yelp. She has some hard-won advice: Alligators are not advisable in school. Hers caused a heap of disaster, with enormous webs of chewing gum, origami everywhere and a mean-looking gray-haired teacher dispensing punishment. Some adults may find it too familiar, but children are likely to get a kick out of Magnolia's not-quite-contrite tone and the colorful chaos her giant pet creates. ONLINE An expanded visual presentation of this week's column at nytimes.com/books.
Copyright (c) The New York Times Company [August 23, 2015]
Review by Booklist Review
Brown, the well-known author of the popular Arthur picture books, astutely touches on the worries of a child about to go from being the youngest to the middle sibling. Monkey, as the title plainly says, just isn't ready to meet baby and be displaced. Worse, everywhere he goes he's reminded of the fact that a newcomer is on the way. Luckily, Monkey's family finds ways to reassure him, stressing the importance of being a big brother and reminiscing excitedly over his own babyhood. As he begins to help with preparations, Monkey's excitement grows, too. Brown's monkey characters share the high forehead look of Arthur the aardvark, but their round chins and long tails don't take away from their otherwise human expressions. The colors in Brown's palette are kept calm and muted. Lots of soft cheery yellow predominates, subtly letting readers know that all will be well long before Monkey cuddles his new sister. A reassuring read for young children whose parents want to smooth the way for new arrivals.--Cruze, Karen Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Monkey's family is growing in this follow-up to 2015's Monkey: Not Ready for Kindergarten, and while Monkey may have gotten used to school, he's unexcited about becoming a big brother: "I like being a little brother," he moans after getting the news. Brown realistically conveys Monkey's journey from a place of skepticism to one of acceptance and love as the family prepares for the baby's arrival, including pulling out old baby photos, visiting the doctor, and tackling the often-perplexing challenge of crib assembly. As in the previous book, Brown's hand-drawn text and scribble-covered mixed-media illustrations combine to create a story that feels intimately connected to the experiences and perspectives of its young audience. Ages 3-7. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Monkey is upset when he discovers that a new baby is on its way. Although his brother sings the praises of being an older sibling and the family helps to prepare him by visiting babies and reading books about them, Monkey has nightmares and even draws a picture in which the infant flies "far away into space." Unhappy about his attitude but undaunted, his parents show Monkey his baby pictures, take out his baby clothes, and let him listen to the baby's heartbeat and feel it kick. Monkey helps Mommy pack her suitcase for the hospital and assists Daddy in assembling the crib. The cartoon illustrations, executed in colored pencils and gouache and accompanied by hand-lettering, have a childlike feel. Most appear on backgrounds filled with lines and scribbles. The text presents a boy not easily convinced he should surrender his place as little brother. He would rather play with friends than accompany Mommy to the doctor, and he wants to hang on to his baby cup. But the final illustration assures readers that Monkey is finally ready to provide his baby sister with what "babies need most.love" as he cuddles her and offers her his own beloved sippy cup. VERDICT While this book doesn't break any new ground, it can still reassure youngsters who share Monkey's reluctance to welcome a new sibling. A solid addition with adorable illustrations.-Marianne Saccardi, Children's Literature Consultant, Greenwich, CT © Copyright 2016. 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
Monkey is going to be a big brother, and, again, he's not ready (Monkey: Not Ready for Kindergarten). Eventually, his older brother and parents encourage him to help the family prepare by sorting clothes, building furniture, and going to doctor's visits. A hand-written font and childlike art combine with authentic emotions and dialogue for a satisfyingly kid-centric exploration of a family's growth. (c) Copyright 2017. 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.
