  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 03/01/2013 A preschooler in a contrary mood, Lily hides her beloved stuffed animal Bobbo, a dog, among the sheets on laundry day, and she goes limp when Mom attempts to dress her. Out on the sidewalk later, she flings Bobbo into the air and watches in distress when he lands atop a departing school bus. Lily sobs and Mom calls the school for help, but Bobbo enjoys his adventure. Found in a bush at recess, he visits a classroom until Lily and Mom arrive to take him home. Hughes’ picture books are notable for their sensitive, realistic portrayals of young children and their families. Here she goes a step further, giving Bobbo believable thoughts and feelings without changing his amiable facial expression in the least. Children will enjoy the action and details in the vibrant gouache artwork, which makes effective use of layered and textured colors. Fine-tuned to young children’s sensibilities, this picture book reads aloud very well. - Copyright 2013 Booklist. School Library Journal - 03/01/2013 PreS-K—Lily is having a bad morning, and, as a result, her stuffed dog Bobbo seems destined for an entirely lousy day. In a fit of impishness, the preschooler tosses him into the air and he lands on top of a school bus just as it is pulling away from the curb. Lily fears that he'll be thrown off and lost, but he makes it to school, landing safely in a bush when the bus stops. The soft toy is discovered at recess by a student and spends the rest of the day inside on a classroom Interest Shelf, observing the children at their studies. Lily's mother finally tracks him down, and he is reunited with a relieved, grateful Lily. It's a simple story, written cleanly and clearly. Surrounded by ample white space, the artwork is big, bright, and cheery, although some of the faces of the human characters are sketchily rendered. The best illustrations are those of Bobbo. His static expression seems to be one of unruffled amusement at his state of affairs, and it's definitely worth a laugh.—Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR - Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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