Hap-pea Easter

Toddler-K--Baker's adorable peas present their first holiday book, full of rhyme and whimsy. Though not as large in size as his previous works, the anthropomorphized legumes still bring fun and joy to each page as they celebrate the holiday season. Simple rhyming stanzas offer a preview of the spring season: "Gentle showers, blooming flowers, longer sunny daylight hours," then prepare young readers for Easter activities, such as egg decorating and an egg hunt. A hopping white rabbit makes a cameo as the Easter Bunny at the very end. The palette is just the right balance between pastel and vibrant, with the eggs standing out in many different patterns and textures. VERDICT Sure to be a holiday favorite, as pages filled with pleasant rhymes and joyful illustrations beg to be read over and over again.--Clara Hendricks

Hap-pea-ness is guaranteed for all every Easter. This brief, beguiling book describes that wonderful time of year in lilting rhyme with bright, cheery digitally rendered illustrations. The anthropomorphic peas, whom readers will recognize from Baker's previous titles, frolic in the (usually) glorious balmy weather, appreciate the flowers, and go for rides on minuscule bikes. "Gentle showers, blooming flowers, longer sunny daylight hours"--Baker sings the praises of a lovely spring day. In a cute nod to the main characters, the wordshappy andyippee appear ashap-pea andyip-pea. And, of course, brightly decorated Easter eggs are on full and gorgeous display. (Readers get a glimpse of how the tiny peas make these eggs look so appealing; helicopters, construction equipment, and huge vats of dye are involved.) Words such asspring andeggs appear on the pages in softly colored, oversize capital letters, each one displaying a different delicate pattern. Young children will hone their color-identification skills, learn new words to describe patterns ("stripes, swirls, polka dots--hap-pea patterns, lots and lots"), and practice their search-and-find skills as they're invited to search for eggs in the artwork. At the end, kids will be as overjoyed as the peas to find someone extra special among the eggs. Delightful spring and Easter fun.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.