Happy Easter, Little Pookie (Little Pookie)

An upbeat Easter outing with a beloved character.

Toddler-PreS--Boynton shares another endearing tale of Little Pookie told through the eyes of an adoring mother. This installment is about preparations for the sweet holiday of Easter in the beautiful spring weather. Mom sets up a playdate for Little Pookie and bunny friend, Bean. Keeping with the traditions of the holiday, the bunnies--Pookie and Bean, both wearing rabbit ears--hop around together and then spend the day decorating Easter eggs. As quickly as it started, the playdate is over, and Pookie and Bean bid each other farewell. Mom prepares Pookie for the arrival of the Easter Bunny and the fun of the hunt in the morning; but first, Pookie must sleep. Dreams of chocolate eggs dance in Pookie's head as the book comes to an end. Simple rhyming text allows for an easy read-aloud with young children. "And now, silly rabbits, your playdate is done. Thank you for coming! We hope you had fun!" The soft pastel colors place readers in spring. VERDICT Recommended for general purchase for board book collections, as Pookie is a recognizable character who will delight the youngest audiences.--Kristen Todd-Wurm

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Pookie's friend Bean, a gray puppy, comes over for Easter fun that includes lots of bouncing around and egg decorating. After Bean goes home, Pookie gets excited about the Easter Bunny's arrival and goes to sleep dreaming of a large chocolate egg. Like the other Pookie books before it, this one is told in rhyme from the perspective of a loving grown-up addressing the little pig, which keeps the pace moving and makes for a great read-aloud. Bean and Pookie are realistically—and endearingly—childlike, from Pookie's pronunciation of yellow as "lellow!" to the joyful mess they make while decorating eggs. There are plenty of sweet and festive touches, such as the bunny ears that Bean and Pookie (and Pookie's teddy) wear and the daffodils painted on the end of Pookie's bed...For fans of Boynton and little Pookie, this Easter tale is exactly as expected: a touch of playfulness, a relatable story, and comfort in the familiar." — "Kirkus Reviews"