From Publishers Weekly
In this warmhearted story of a faithful toy, a girl acquires a menagerie of stuffed animals but declares the first her favorite. Blue Kangaroo, who belongs to Lily, is an aquamarine-hued plaything with a faint smile on his long, pointy face. "Every night, Lily said, 'I love you, Blue Kangaroo!' And Blue Kangaroo fell fast asleep in Lily's arms." This special, one-to-one relationship changes when family and friends begin to bring gifts for Lily, including Wild Brown Bear and Yellow Cotton Rabbit. Lily's good-night list expands to include each arrival, but readers will notice that Lily subtly distinguishes her blue pal from the rest. Even though he still hears the title phrase, Blue Kangaroo worries that he's been replaced. Clark (Little Miss Muffet's Count-Along Surprise) uses authoritative colored-pencil outlines and summertime-bright watercolors to evoke sympathy for the kangaroo in busy family scenes. As Lily cuddles her presents (none of which displays her kangaroo's attentiveness), her baby brother grabs for the lonely toy. In the end, though, Lily would rather donate all her other toys to her brother than part with Blue Kangaroo. Clark considers jealousy from several angles, exploring Blue Kangaroo's feelings and Lily's possessiveness. The reassuring message is that newcomers don't have to displace best friends, but sometimes even buddies need to be reminded that they matter. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-A heartwarming story of a little girl and her beloved stuffed animal. As Lily begins to accumulate an assortment of stuffed toys from relatives and friends, Blue Kangaroo begins to feel rejected. When at last the child's bed becomes too crowded, Blue Kangaroo rolls out and hops down the hall and into the baby's crib. When the baby delightedly claims him the next day, Lily offers her brother all of her other animals in return for Blue Kangaroo. A wholly satisfying story of the bond between a child and her favorite animal, enhanced by large, expressive watercolors.
Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NYCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
