The title and cover caught my attention on today's read. And the platypus. How often does one see a picture book featuring a platypus? And the chick with the trumpet is worth a second glance, too. I'm not sure if this is a lively read or a good bedtime read, but either way, I'm more than a little curious to see what these animals are up to. I bet it has a lot of snuggling involved, which is always a good thing.
So, let's pop this one open and see what this adorable platypus is up to!
PUBBLE SNUGGLES
by Mo O'Hara
Illustrated by Loretta Schauer
Happy Yak
Picture Book
32 pages
ages 4 to 8
The moon rose and all the animals curled up to go to sleep. But then, Platypus’s puggle just wanted to… PARTY IN THE NIGHTTIME!
During the day, an array of baby animals love to play. Giraffe’s calf made everyone laugh, Hen’s chicks did magic tricks and Sheep’s lamb got herself in a jam, but puggle just wants to snuggle… until darkness falls.
Discover what puggle and the other baby animals who can’t keep still at night get up to in this funny bedtime story with a twist. Written by Mo O’Hara, the New York Times-bestselling author, and brought to life with adorable illustrations by award-winning Loretta Schuer. Packed with animals in funny scenarios and witty, rhyming word play, this is an entertaining bedtime read for children who just can’t keep still at night!
MY TIDBITS
Snuggles, snuggles, and more snuggles fill these pages...until they don't and something entirely different takes over.
During the day, many animals are up to all sorts of things. From magic to knitting to silly antics and more, these animals are anything but boring. Little Puggle, however, doesn't take notice of any of it as the sleepy platypus curls up with its mom to sleep...while she does her best to keep the antics from bothering her child. Then, the sun goes down and the entire situation gets flipped onto its head.
These pages guarantee giggles and smiles as the animals are up to all sorts of things. There's never a boring moment and each page holds more surprises as the animals head into the most unexpected activities, at times. The illustrations do a lovely job at letting each animal do its thing, while incorporating the scenes with a slight, humorous flow into the repeated moment of Puggle wanting to snuggle. The first half of the book invites to warmth and...well, snuggling. Then, the book switches gears with tons of energy, and readers will get swept up in the change. It's hard not to laugh and grin as nighttime takes over and the energy doubles. All of this creates a lovely bedtime read.
The text is done in rhyme, which flows well for the most part. The repeated phrase adds a nice touch for listeners to snuggle into and it offers a satisfying way to round things off. There's also a bit of information about animal's habits as they are split between day and night activity. This aspect could be pointed out to reinforce animal knowledge after the read is done for those who want to take this twist. But it makes fun read-aloud with tons of smiles for groups settings or more individual ones as well and is sure to leave listeners wishing they could join in on some of the fun.
And here they are...
Mo O’Hara, originally from America, moved to London because she wanted to live abroad but spoke no foreign languages. After a brief and unsuccessful stint as a serving wench at the Tower of London, Mo found work as an actress and comedy performer. It was when she toured the UK as a storyteller that she started writing for kids. Now, Mo lives in South London with her husband, her two kids and her two (slightly bitey) cats. She has toured all across the USA and the UK and has also visited schools and festivals in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Loretta Schauer has illustrated a number of picture books and fiction titles for younger children, including the recent 'Fairytales for the Fearless' series written by Gareth P. Jones (Rabunzel, CinderGorilla and Snowy White) and the popular 'Luma and the Dragon' series by Leah Mohammed. She has always loved drawing and is never happier than when she’s making something. Loretta lives in York, England.
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