Yellow Copter

May 11, 2015
When a teacher gets stuck at the top of a Ferris wheel, it's up to a bright yellow rescue copter to save the day: "Rotors ready!/ Whup whup whup/ Tail boom lifting.../ skids are up." As in 2008's Red Truck, Hamilton's enthusiastic rhymes and declarations shine when the book is read aloud; a red skywriting plane traces the words "Hurry Yellow Copter" in big, puffy letters as the copter and its pilot head for the fair. Petrone's muted blue backgrounds make both the copter and the fair's main rides and attractions pop, and the rescue itself feels more like an adventure than a truly dangerous situation. Ages 2â5. Author's agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Illustrator's agent: Gail Gaynin, Morgan Gaynin.

March 1, 2015
A rhyming picture book about a yellow rescue helicopter geared toward toddlers.Simple, onomatopoeic text and bright illustrations tell the story of a new, yellow rescue helicopter that receives its first assignment. The smiling, friendly-looking rescue copter is rendered in bold colors that contrast nicely with the gray-blue background. The unencumbered art style helps make the various parts of a helicopter easily identifiable. Some double-page spreads focus on the names of the helicopter parts (rotors, tail boom, skids, etc.), which should appeal to readers who are interested in mechanical transportation. The plot concerns a teacher who is stuck at the top of a Ferris wheel and needs saving. While both the group of ethnically diverse students watching from the ground and the teacher up on the wheel look distressed, they do not look afraid, and the tone is one of hope, which should assuage anxious readers. Whenever the words "yellow copter" appear in the text, they are always printed in yellow, which makes sense and will help teach color association, but other words arbitrarily printed in colored type may confuse young readers. The interpretation of the sound ("whup, whup, whup") helicopters make-as well as other sounds-should make for a bouncy read-aloud.A good choice for young transportation lovers. (Picture book. 2-4)

May 1, 2015

Toddler-PreS-Yellow Copter is not just any helicopter. He is a rescue vehicle. When a Ferris wheel gets stuck with a teacher sitting at the top, only Yellow Copter can retrieve her and return her to her class on the ground. Nice and easy, the reliable machine does his job. The spare and simple rhyming text introduces important copter words like roters, winch, and harness. The graphic-style cartoon illustrations and catchy cadence will draw the attention of young viewers, who are learning to hear words and repeat sounds. The vivid yellow of Copter stands out against pale blue skies, like a warming sun on a beautiful blue day. VERDICT Toddlers will enjoy this story of a hero and a helper.-Mary Hazelton, formerly at Warren & Waldoboro Elementary Schools, ME

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