“Oliver and dePaola accentuate the positive in this follow-up to 2014’s Little Poems for Tiny Ears, which features 19 original poems about moments common to the lives of many children. . . . In a welcoming opening touch, a gatefold lets readers open one child’s front door as the action moves outdoors. . . . Subsequent poems are similarly buoyant. . . . Oliver’s young cast, painted by dePaola with characteristic warmth and in an array of ethnic backgrounds, are resolutely cheerful, generous, and curious.”—Publishers Weekly
“Playful . . . touches on common toddler experiences. . . . The poems are short enough for young audiences and demonstrate a pleasing mix of meters and rhymes, resulting in varied selections. The verses also evoke emotions and the senses. . . . DePaola’s signature acrylic artwork appears on every page, depicting happy multicultural children engaged in diverse activities. The illustrations employ great variety, keeping each page interesting. . . . A great follow-up to this duo’s earlier collaboration, Little Poems for Tiny Ears (2014), this child-friendly anthology should have broad appeal.”—Booklist
