Welcome to Morningtown

April 15, 2019
A chipper animal cast greets the morning (“Hooray, for a shiny new day!”) in this book from the creators of Something Smells! The primary plot thread follows a young bear, whom Henry, in softly focused mixed-media pictures, renders with a hint of a young Berenstain Bear. Dressed in fishing garb, his father awakens him in their stone bungalow while other animals stir. Hellman employs visual, sometimes onomatopoeic action words as the town wakes up. The cub is seen stretching, birds on branches are shown yawning, and frisky frogs are “hopping, flopping, splashing awake.” In another spread, the art fleshes out a playfully minimal scene as critters reveal their preferred mode of breakfast: squirrels “crunch,” deer “nibble,” and hummingbirds “sip their morning feast.” Whimsical close-ups of frolicking creatures—bunnies bounce on a bed and beavers whoosh down a slide into a pond—are followed by a bustling panorama revealing Morningtown’s goings-on, which offers kids a chance to identify the animals and their activities. As the tale winds to a droll close, an impromptu nap by one character (hint: he’s an angler) stalls the day’s energetic pace—but not for long. Pleasantly harmonized words and pictures make this a winsome start-of-day read-aloud. Ages up to 5.

April 1, 2019
Animals awaken to a lovely morning and get ready for their day. Chirping birds, splashing frogs and turtles, fish and crabs in the deep sea, and gently floating butterflies all appear in their natural habitats as they begin their day. To a greater or lesser extent, all are depicted as anthropomorphic. Many have homes with beds and other furniture and indoor plumbing. Many wear clothes, brush their teeth, and eat with cutlery. Raccoons play banjos, and porcupines, rabbits, and beavers enjoy playground equipment. They are all neighbors living harmoniously in an idyllic village with expansive parkland (and even a bandstand). A bear family provides a narrative anchor for this very slight tale, as illustrations depict them preparing for a fishing trip amid the rest of the bustle. The book ends when the father bear goes back to bed, and mother and child go fishing together. Each activity is accompanied by boldfaced, large-print, simple descriptive words or phrases that move with the characters through their morning ablutions. Softly colored, detailed cartoon illustrations bring to mind some of the more gently themed animated films of long ago. The pale yellow and brown endpapers could be wallpaper in a child's room. There is no real story to speak of and it feels more than a bit treacly, but very young readers will enjoy seeing the everyday activities and the gentle spirits of these animal counterparts. (Picture book. 2-5)

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June 1, 2019

PreS-It's a new day in Morningtown and everyone is waking up! Moles are climbing out of their secret little beds and butterflies are rising from their dandelion pillows. Everyone prepares for the day by brushing their teeth, washing up, and eating breakfast. The story shows an entire town full of possible morning routines as everyone greets a day bright and brimming with opportunity. Mama Bear steps up and takes her cub fishing while Papa Bear sleeps in. Detailed watercolor illustrations are given a gorgeous golden dawn hue. Morningtown's animal citizens are each given a cozy and welcoming home, be it deep in the sea or high on a mountaintop. The enthusiastic and simple text serves as a reassuring reminder to young readers that nearly everyone gets out of bed and has to pick out underwear in the morning, and that there are many exciting things waiting for us out in the day. VERDICT A useful tool for discussing morning routines. Purchase where needed.-Laken Hottle, Providence Community Library, RI

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