Blankie

July 1, 2005
PreS -Both of these board books feature an adorable, big-headed toddler, with a lone curl on the top of his head and wearing nothing but a diaper. In "Binky", the youngster searches for a lost pacifier. In "Blankie", the child tells readers about the importance of one's blanket. In both titles, the simple acrylic artwork, done with heavy black outline and set against bold background colors, places the protagonist center stage throughout. Perfect selections for short attention spans." -Sheilah Kosco, Rapides Parish Library, Alexandria, LA"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2005
PreS. Patricelli explored opposites in her previous board books, including " Big Little "and " Quiet Loud "(both, 2003). In her latest, she explores typical toddler emotions and activities through a child's relationship with a favorite security item. Clutching a beloved blanket, a diapered tot announces, "Blankie comes everywhere with me." The uncluttered pictures show the toddler taking Blankie to preschool, the store, and the doctor; holding it while watching TV, during time-outs, during toothbrushing. Finally, the toddler drags Blankie to bed, where it comforts the round-eyed narrator: "Blankie isn't afraid of the dark. But I am." Patricelli's plain, effective words echo the neat, minimalist pictures. Pleasing figures rendered with strong black outlines and almost stick-figure simplicity are set against slightly textured, monochromatic backgrounds on sturdy, square pages. Children will easily recognize the deep bond between the child and the beloved object, and as in a companion volume, " Binky," about a child with a pacifier, this offers a warm, comforting view of a toddler's daily world.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)