(2) PS Self-help gets the Sandra ­Boynton ­treatment with energetic antics, ­deadpan humor, and ear-pleasing rhyme. "Have you been feeling kind of low? / A little lost? / A little slow?" A ­well-meaning, loud-squawking chicken acts as a personal pep squad to Boynton's familiar ­menagerie. "THERE'S SURELY NOTHING MORE ­FANTASTIC THAN SOMEONE WHO'S ENTHUSIASTIC!" the shouty narrator insists, proceeding to cheer on a roller-skating pig, ballet-dancing hippos, and others. But some activities--taking a nap, for instance--are best accomplished without a cheering section ("You. Woke. Me. Up!"), and the tale takes a turn as the chicken suffers an identity crisis: "Oh no!!! I made a mistake!!! I'm no good at this!!!" A mouse friend provides reassurance about mistake-making and own-bucket-filling through rest, self-care, and positive self-talk. The words of wisdom are at an appropriately preschool-ish level but can be taken to heart by anyone. Lest the message come across as heavy-handed, the endpapers close (as they opened) with the chicken's extremely loud and boisterous cries of "WOO HOO!"

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(2) PS The familiar farmyard gang celebrates Christmas Eve in Boynton's latest holiday-themed board book (Christmas Parade, rev. 11/20; Boo! Baa, La La La!, rev. 9/21). After "deck[ing] the halls with cows and holly," singing, trimming the tree, and making merry ("All the happy pigs go HA HA HA!"), it's time to settle down and go to bed. Chickens and other animal friends offer quiet sounds...until (classic Boynton) a rowdy bunch goes "a little wild." Excited little ones will love the implicit invitation.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(2) PS Little Pookie series. On Thanksgiving Day, Little Pookie (Spooky Pookie; Merry Christmas, Little Pookie) helps make apple and pumpkin pies and sets the table with his parents before Nemmy and Boppa arrive. After dinner, the pig family members each share what they're thankful for, with Pookie's closing "and pie" leading to a joyful dessert-eating finale. The simple rhyming text features excited asides from Pookie ("Ooo! Butter!") that fans of this series, especially young listeners, should enjoy along with Boynton's ever-pleasing signature illustrations. A board book embracing family togetherness to be "so thankful for" this season.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(2) PS "On Halloween, the cow says Boo." But who is the "someone out of sight" replying "Baa"? This ­nighttime-set board book stars the beloved animals and animal sounds from Boynton's ­classic Moo, Baa, La La La! and boasts Boynton's signature cartoon style. The follow-up works well on its own, though devotees of the first book (i.e., most toddlers) will delight in recognizing familiar characters and phrasing. The clueless cow contemplates the mystery, wondering, "Who might it be..." After a ­cacophony of familiar noises (meow, quack, snort, snuff, etc.), the cow climbs up "the tallest hill. / She calls out Booo! / Then all is still." Skilled narrative pacing makes the final spread especially satisfying, featuring an answer to the mystery, a well-earned reunion, and a "Happy Halloween to yoooou!"

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(2) PS i can read series. In 1985 Boynton followed up her popular 1982 board book The Going to Bed Book with a "larger and longer" picture-book version, which has now been redrawn with small differences in the art. Similarities to prior versions will be noticeable to avid viewers, but the picture-book format gives both text and art room to breathe and allows Boynton to include more of her signature animals. The redone illustrations are rich and crisp, and full of humor as always. The original picture book and this updated version contain additional text and drawings toward the end, featuring the animals climbing into one bed and two little rabbits singing about the animals' dreams (complete with illustrated musical score) before the final familiar lines rock a new cohort of toddlers to sleep.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2022

(2) PS This is one of those rare occasions where the board book edition is an improvement on the (beloved) original picture book (rev. 11/12). Boynton has selectively collapsed and expanded spreads, tweaked color schemes, reversed the band's direction so they're marching left to right, made slight text enhancements (including using numerals), added a second pig child protagonist watching the parade pass their house, and appended a new final bedtime spread. All her trademarks remain, including a range of animal musicians, plenty of humor, a dynamic array of fonts, and pleasing read-aloud-ready sound effects ("BOOM-biddy BOOM!"). A Christmas parade worth watching and listening to all year long.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) PS A little pig in bunny slippers watches a Christmas parade. An elephant beats a bass drum; he's followed by bassoon-playing chickens, pigs with balloons and a glockenspiel, and hippo drummers. Reindeer, cows, mice, ducks, and "the tiniest bird" add more music and merriment. The band struts across richly colored monochromatic backgrounds; Boynton's recognizable menagerie and up-tempo rhyming text brim with holiday cheer.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2012

(3) K-3 In this unabashed tribute to all things cow, Boynton packs her pages with bovine stories, jokes, limericks, hidden cow pictures, comics, poems, and songs (including "It Had to Be Moo"). Offbeat silliness infuses the volume, overflowing with an abundance of cow wordplay and "udder absurdity." Boynton fans won't be disappointed by her trademark style and quirkiness here on full display.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 "One hippo, all alone, / calls two hippos / on the phone." And so begin the arrangements for a hip hippopotamus party. Boynton's familiar, lovable hippos come and go as the reader counts along with the rhyming tale. This paper-over-board edition is notable for its bargain price.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan