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32 pp.
| Little
| December, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-316-22923-4$17.00
(3)
PS
Pairs of woodland creatures cuddle in furry, whiskered, feathered, or downy "just-daddy-and-me-hugs." The tender story, illustrated with precise watercolor and pencil art, is a parade of cozy scenarios ending with "the best hug of all": between a human father and child. Double-page spreads include each animal's sounds and other hidden creatures (identified at book's end) for preschoolers to find.
32 pp.
| Little
| January, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-316-12235-1$16.99
(2)
PS
This animal sounds concept book opens with a panoramic view of a farm. The text, accompanied by bucolic close-up watercolors, describes the type of kisses each animal loves ("Little Calf loves Mooo kisses"). Closer observation of the illustrations reveals additional narrative: Farmer's in the background doing chores, Bluebird's catching insects, etc. Skillful shifts in visual perspective provide a three-hundred-sixty-degree vista of the bustling farm.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2012
32 pp.
| Simon
| August, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-6795-8$15.99
(3)
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With a storm looming, Bird, Mouse, Squirrel, and seven other animals dash to a hill hollow for protection. After a night of lightning and thunder, a "RUMBLE and a GRUMBLE" from two sleeping bears sends the ten critters scurrying out. The counting book concludes with a dawn-of-a-beautiful-new-day ending. Tafuri's soft, textured creatures have tons of toddler appeal.
32 pp.
| Simon
| January, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4169-2834-8$15.99
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PS
While the aptly named Farmer Gray is away, the animals paint the farm. Red Hen paints the barn red; Blue Goose and White Duck mix blue and white (one of the book's several color-mixing lessons) and paint the sky light blue, etc. Toddlers will delight in watching what look like unsullied pages of a coloring book turn into a colorfest.
(3)
PS
A hen, duck, sparrow, and goose come upon an egg, then ask the gray chick that hatches from it, "Whose chick are you?" The mystery is solved when a swan returns to greet her new little one. Tafuri's simple, gentle text and pen and watercolor illustrations of nearly life-size animals offer details that will draw in readers.
32 pp.
| Simon
| August, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-689-87341-6$15.99
(3)
PS
With autumn waning, Squirrel rushes to prepare for winter. The other animals entreat him to slow down, perhaps to enjoy a nibble of pumpkin or just to rest. Squirrel won't be distracted, though, completing his tasks just as the first snow falls. The crisp, repetitive text is accompanied by expansive brush pen, watercolor pencil, and ink illustrations of nearly life-size animals.
32 pp.
| Scholastic
| February, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-439-39881-9$16.95
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PS
At sunset, mother duck shepherds her ducklings to bed, but one youngster dallies, visiting the beaver and frog, among others. A turtle watches the wanderer and escorts him safely to the nest. In a companion to Have You Seen My Duckling? Tafuri has created equally skillful art but a less captivating story.
32 pp.
| Scholastic
| September, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-439-39879-7$$16.95
(4)
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A wide array of animal parents, including lions, penguins, prairie dogs, and humans, tell their children why they are special. Each explanation ends with the words ". . .you are so special, and we will love you forever and ever and always." The sweet refrain soon becomes cloying, but Tafuri's familiar large, close-up family portraits are attractive.
40 pp.
| Scholastic
| April, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-439-27311-0$$15.95
(2)
PS
The young child's dueling desires for adventure and security provide the impetus for this nature story about three bear cubs who get distracted while fishing with their mother. The preoccupied cubs run off, but the mother bear is always watching from a reassuringly close distance. The curious trio offers a subtle concept lesson and an introduction to the various animals found. The illustrations are rendered in soft, earthy tones.
32 pp.
| Scholastic
| October, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-439-27313-7$$16.95
(4)
PS
All the animals in the stable greet the new baby Jesus with their gentle sounds, but the donkey is afraid his loud bray will be unwelcome. In fact, the donkey's "hee aw!" makes the new baby laugh with joy. The sweet story is not original, but its simplicity and repetition are well suited for toddlers. Though somewhat awkward, Tafuri's illustrations are as large and clear as ever.
32 pp.
| Scholastic
| October, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-439-16959-3$$15.95
(3)
PS
This second book about Bunny and Bird finds the two friends playing hide-and-seek with their animal companions. Tafuri's soft watercolor and ink illustrations are well suited to the quiet, gentle text, capturing the animals' frolic in their snowy meadow habitat. Simple, repetitive language makes the tale suitable for both toddlers and early readers.
32 pp.
| Scholastic
| April, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-439-06304-3$$15.95
(3)
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When Goose sets out to find a place for her nest, she keeps wandering into the other animals' homes. Finally, she finds a place just right for her eggs, and once they've hatched, she proudly parades her brood past the other animals. Large type sets off Tafuri's simple repeating text, with its appealing refrain of "Silly Little Goose!" to make this a perfect choice for a young read-aloud.
32 pp.
| Scholastic
| October, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-590-18973-5$$15.95
(3)
PS
In a text "based on an old poem by Gregory Gander," each month is assigned one word. Focusing on a family's outdoor activities throughout the year, the watercolor illustrations extend the expression: February is fulsomely "flowy" (a flowing stream, winter scarves flowing in the wind, etc.), while November is "sneezy" in a less obvious way. Detail-attentive preschoolers won't be surprised by the family's new baby come December.
40 pp.
| Scholastic
| October, 1998
|
TradeISBN 0-590-27143-1$$15.95
(3)
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Tafuri's striking, oversized illustrations show a child preparing for Christmas by making something (cards, cookies, a gingerbread house, bird treats) each day in December. The art, simple text--"Days 12 and 13, I wrap and tie"--and large format make the book suitable for a preschool audience; most children will need adult help with even the most simple crafts (instructions for four activities are included).
32 pp.
| Scholastic
| January, 1998
|
TradeISBN 0-590-92159-2
(4)
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In this oversized book, a doe tells her fawn that she loves him forever, "as the river loves you...giving you cool water to drink." Other animal mothers and finally a human mother also tie their love to the constancy of the natural world. Tafuri's text is repetitive and reassuring, if somewhat sentimental. The watercolor and colored pencil illustrations are softly patterned and endearing.