- Little Red Rolls Away
- by Linda Whalen
- illustrated by Jennifer E. Morris
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (April 15, 2017)
- ISBN-10: 158536987X
- ISBN-13: 978-1585369874
- ASIN: B01HIMFLTW
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PREPARING CHILDREN FOR CHANGE
REVIEWS
Kirkus Review
Little Red, a small barn, is moved from his home, much to his distress.
Red wakes up one morning to find that his friends Bossy Cow, Piglet, and Rooster are missing. It gets worse. Machines rumble in, hoist up Red, and haul him away, first on a flatbed truck and then on a barge. As Red moves farther away from his familiar setting, he feels more and more insecure about where he is going. Whalen neatly describes both the anxiety and the powerlessness Red feels (although her overuse of the rule of three in her patterned repetition of phrases does undermine the story’s freshness). Morris’ vibrantly colored cartoony illustrations depict an anthropomorphic Red, whose expressions as he is carted hither and yon lend gentle humor. The humans depicted are predominantly white, although other ethnicities are shown. Little Red’s journey ends in an amusement park’s petting zoo, as he is reunited once again with his animal friends and “even new friends to get to know!” The story’s overt message is solidified by the last page, titled “How to Help a Child Navigate Change,” by Whalen and Susan Hall, an early-childhood specialist. It gives a brief overview of the anxieties children may feel when encountering change such as a move, with suggestions of how to help.
Designed to address the anxieties moving holds for children, this book is competent and clear. (Picture book. 3-7)
Little Red, a small barn, is moved from his home, much to his distress.
Red wakes up one morning to find that his friends Bossy Cow, Piglet, and Rooster are missing. It gets worse. Machines rumble in, hoist up Red, and haul him away, first on a flatbed truck and then on a barge. As Red moves farther away from his familiar setting, he feels more and more insecure about where he is going. Whalen neatly describes both the anxiety and the powerlessness Red feels (although her overuse of the rule of three in her patterned repetition of phrases does undermine the story’s freshness). Morris’ vibrantly colored cartoony illustrations depict an anthropomorphic Red, whose expressions as he is carted hither and yon lend gentle humor. The humans depicted are predominantly white, although other ethnicities are shown. Little Red’s journey ends in an amusement park’s petting zoo, as he is reunited once again with his animal friends and “even new friends to get to know!” The story’s overt message is solidified by the last page, titled “How to Help a Child Navigate Change,” by Whalen and Susan Hall, an early-childhood specialist. It gives a brief overview of the anxieties children may feel when encountering change such as a move, with suggestions of how to help.
Designed to address the anxieties moving holds for children, this book is competent and clear. (Picture book. 3-7)
Kiss the Book
Reviewed by P. K. Foster, teacher-librarian
Little Red Rolls Away is reviewed here
Literally Lynne Marie: PPBF
Why I Like This Book: From the beginning, little listeners and readers will be hooked by the mystery of where Little Red's friends have gone and will gladly follow sweet Little Red along on his journey.
Read full review here
Books For The Curious Child
This story is perfect for children experiencing changes in life, like a big move, changing schools, etc..
An Afterward provides tips on How to Help a Child Navigate Change.
Read full review here
Picture Book Depot
"Ms. Whalen’s prose is sweet, age-appropriate and just wistful enough to conjure memories of childhood changes that once rocked readers’ worlds. Jennifer Morris’ illustrations are richly colored and kid-friendly so that the experience of being whisked away to who-knows-where isn’t too scary for young readers." -Rita Lorraine
Read the full review here.
The Pirate Tree
"Whalen’s delightful text broaches the difficult subject of leaving the familiar and having to adjust to new experiences." Read the full review here
The Bookworm Sez
"Stuff happens. That’s a hard lesson to learn when you’re a 4- to 8-year-old, but knowing how to deal with changes might be easier, once your child is introduced to “Little Red Rolls Away.”
Read the full review here
Kids Book Buzz
I liked this book because of the exciting traveling adventures and because the animals are cute. The pictures do a good job of showing how Little Red Barn is feeling during his journey!
Read full review here
Reviewed By: Shreya - Age 7
Reviewed by P. K. Foster, teacher-librarian
Little Red Rolls Away is reviewed here
Literally Lynne Marie: PPBF
Why I Like This Book: From the beginning, little listeners and readers will be hooked by the mystery of where Little Red's friends have gone and will gladly follow sweet Little Red along on his journey.
Read full review here
Books For The Curious Child
This story is perfect for children experiencing changes in life, like a big move, changing schools, etc..
An Afterward provides tips on How to Help a Child Navigate Change.
Read full review here
Picture Book Depot
"Ms. Whalen’s prose is sweet, age-appropriate and just wistful enough to conjure memories of childhood changes that once rocked readers’ worlds. Jennifer Morris’ illustrations are richly colored and kid-friendly so that the experience of being whisked away to who-knows-where isn’t too scary for young readers." -Rita Lorraine
Read the full review here.
The Pirate Tree
"Whalen’s delightful text broaches the difficult subject of leaving the familiar and having to adjust to new experiences." Read the full review here
The Bookworm Sez
"Stuff happens. That’s a hard lesson to learn when you’re a 4- to 8-year-old, but knowing how to deal with changes might be easier, once your child is introduced to “Little Red Rolls Away.”
Read the full review here
Kids Book Buzz
I liked this book because of the exciting traveling adventures and because the animals are cute. The pictures do a good job of showing how Little Red Barn is feeling during his journey!
Read full review here
Reviewed By: Shreya - Age 7