Ruth Paul

A collection of colorful Halloween cookies go on the run in this cute rhyming picture-book from New Zealand author/artist Ruth Paul, escaping from their tin when Little Monster comes to look at them. Running out into the night, they say "Boo!" to all sorts of creatures, from fireflies in a jar to skeletons, witch's cats to ghosts. Eventually they must hide inside a jack-o-lantern, before making their way home...

I was not familiar with Paul's work before picking up her Cookie Boo from my show more library's Halloween display this past weekend, but am glad to have discovered it. Her rhyming text reads well, rollicking along in a smoothly entertaining way, while her colorful illustrations capture the madcap antics of the colorful cookies on their Halloween adventure. On a personal note, as someone who usually makes decorated Halloween sugar cookies, I was charmed by the "identity" of the protagonists here, as I rarely see decorated sugar cookies in holiday stories, unless they are devoted to Christmas. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for engaging Halloween fare for younger audiences. show less

No Pecking Order Here!

Be ready to see the coolest chickens ever, sprinkled across all the pages of this picture book. This is a seek-and-find book, with instruction for what to look for throughout the volume. Not only is there lots of fun to be had, these beautiful chickens get themselves into all kinds of places.

Little ones will have a blast looking at this book, and finding these chickens—and I did, too. It can be read alone, but it is lots of fun to do it together with your child.

I show more really like this book, not only for the challenge of seeking things out, but what a great time it is to look at these brilliantly colored pictures. The author is the one who created all these fun chickens. Children two through six-years-old will have a good time with this five-star book.

Thank you, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own show less

This is a simple but sweet story. Sometimes it's nice to have a simple, fun picture book that's not ground-breaking or unique or award-winning - just a nice, solid story with friendly illustrations.

Simple couplets tell the story of puppy Flash who just keeps getting into trouble. "Sniff shoes. Lick shoes. Gnaw shoes. More shoes! Uh-oh...your shoes? Bad dog, Flash." Each mishap ends with a "Bad dog" for poor Flash until he finally does something right.

Ruth Paul's illustrations have a cozy, show more fuzzy feel that I usually associate with British picture books (she's from New Zealand, so I suppose was inspired by many British titles). Flash is an adorably naughty puppy with faint pink spots on his cheeks and a sprinkle of speckles across the pages showing the trail of dirt and destruction he leaves behind.

Verdict: A light and fun story. Great for toddler and preschool storytimes, when the kids will enjoy chorusing "Bad dog, Flash" and finding the puppy's naughty behavior on each page.

ISBN: 9781492610531; Published 2014 by Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library show less

Match patterned eggs to their mama chickens! This is a great concept and I can see a lot of layers to how you might work on different skills. The search and find aspect was not overly easy - there were a few pages that I had to spend a minute or two really looking. This would be great for kindergarten or first graders.