Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Two mortal enemies set aside their animosity for the sake of a common cause in this WWE-mimicking kitchen smackdown. When a kitchen clock announces "Time for breakfast!!!" Tiny Spoon, a yellow implement, and purple Little Fork jump out of their respective drawers, determined to win the heart, mind, and, most importantly, mouth of an energetic infant. Dialogue balloon text by Lombardo (Everybody Says Meow) is comically high-strung: "I've always fed the baby," says Spoon. "She loves to SIP! And SAVOR! And SLURP!" But Fork insists "now Baby wants to BITE! And CHOMP!" Dynamic paneled cartoons in nursery hues by creative team Dan & Jason (the Blue, Barry & Pancakes series) reach a fever pitch when pj-sporting Baby, who's portrayed with light brown skin and saucer eyes, toddles onto the scene, addressing the battling cutlery with equal enthusiasm as "Spood" and "Frok," and then gleefully hurtling them (and a much bedraggled pink stuffed rabbit) clear across the kitchen. But in this high-energy conflict turned collaboration, the duo make their way back to the table and prove they're a mighty mealtime force. "I got the oatmeal!" says Spoon, while Fork chimes in "Scrambled eggs! I'm on it!" Ages 4--8. (Oct.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
Tiny Spoon has always helped Baby eat solid food until the morning a new utensil emerges from the next kitchen drawer. "The name's Little Fork. The job? Feed the baby." Baby may be ready "to BITE! And CHOMP!" but Tiny Spoon isn't going down without a fight. Spoon and fork trade barbs ("I'd like to see you try and twirl spaghetti!" "I'd like to see what you would do with chicken soup!") until Baby pads into the kitchen ready for breakfast. "The moment of truth has arrived." Who will Baby choose? Baby grabs both utensils, lifts them up, and -- very on-brand for toddlers -- throws them on the floor. The two utensils call a truce and work together to get back up on the highchair tray, where they find they're both useful in their own ways (oatmeal! scrambled eggs!). Easy-to-follow digital comic-style panel illustrations work with the all-dialogue text to amp up the humor, convey action and emotion, and help advance the plot. All the characters, from the kitchen clock to the cutlery to Baby and Baby's chipper stuffed bunny, are engagingly expressive. Silly fun with a side helping of the benefits of cooperation. Kitty Flynn November/December 2022 p.67(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A utensil showdown mixes rivalry with teamwork. "Wait a minute! Who are you?" Tiny Spoon and Little Fork demand of each other in a shared speech bubble. The expressive, anthropomorphized objects compete for Baby's attention. Pastel yellow Tiny Spoon and lavender Little Fork each boast about their great lineages in separate spreads that mimic photo albums. The only time an adult is seen is when Tiny Spoon recounts Dad, Baby, and Tiny Spoon's first solid food meal. Baby has light brown skin and seems unaware of the feud, scooping up both gadgets while chewing on a pink bunny stuffy. True to life, Baby tosses the trio across the room, and they must work together to get back to Baby for breakfast time. Large cartoon panels make this picture book an introduction to the graphic-novel format for younger children. Older children will appreciate the humor of this story most but may not gravitate to a book centering on a baby. Opportunities abound to build vocabulary related to movement as the tools "shimmy" and "climb" their way to a launching position. There are no lulls in action, but there is little to make this one stand out from the rest. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Fine as an appetizer but not the main course. (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
