Clyde Likes to Slide

by Keith Marantz, Larissa Marantz (Illustrations)

In this entertaining 8x8, Clyde can't wait to go down the slide--until he sees how high it is!

Clyde has a problem: He's at the top of the slide at the playground, only it's much higher than the slide he's used to at home, so he starts to imagine all the things that could go wrong. What if the slide is too hot? What if it starts to rain? What if he goes down so fast, he shoots off into space? There's only one way to find out--but can he do it?

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2020

Reviews

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clyde is back and this time he's worried about a giant slide! Clyde likes slides but has second thoughts when faced with a big slide at the playground for the first time. His imagination exaggerates his fears, and he almost gives up playing on the slide. Bright and playful illustrations help visualize Clyde's anxieties (both real and imagined). A charming story that gently encourages readers to try to fight past their fears in order to learn and enjoy new experiences.

[Kelly Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need to get all the scary “what ifs” out of the way so you can take the plunge or in Clyde’s case take the slide! Clyde is an adorable and huggable hippo who loves to slide until the playground slide looks bigger and scarier than the slide in his backyard. We can giggle at his real and relatable anxiety as he considers “possible doom” scenarios for a slide trip gone wrong. In the end you and your little readers will cheer for Clyde when he realizes he really does LOVE to slide.

[Kjersten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was an anxious child and I totally relate to Clyde. He wants to have an adventure sliding down the big slide at the park, but he is scared! Very young readers who sometimes get scared too will feel less alone going through Clyde’s fears with him and then, gulp, sliding down the slide anyway. In CLYDE LIKES TO SLIDE, Keith and Larissa Marantz have created a loveable, relatable, imaginative character that is sure to delight parents, teachers, and kids alike.

[Candy Wellins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect pick for preschoolers. Clyde likes the slide in his backyard, but isn’t sure about the big one at the park. He visualizes all his worst fears and goes for it anyway. A great story about being brave and overcoming obstacles.

[Amy OHanlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly relatable, young Clyde the Hippo’s anxiety makes any situation seem like a huge problem. Though he loves to slide, trying the big one at the park has him imagining more and more outlandish ideas of what could happen. As someone who also worries wildy, I think this book would be wonderful for anxious youngsters.

[Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clyde returns for another adventure to throw his worry at. Clyde's internal struggle is adorable as he mulls over all the potential pitfalls of going down a slide. The art and story are wonderful and the Marantz duo has created a great, relatable character for the little worrier in us all.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clyde the adorable purple hippo is back and worried again! This time his overactive imagination conjures all the things that could possibly go wrong on the biggest slide at the playground. Again, the wonderful colorful illustration invite readers to empathize with this darling hippo and see how he confronts his fear. A perfect read for any overthinkers, children and adults alike!

[Mary Copp · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time going down a BIG slide? There are so many reasons to be fearful and Clyde goes through them all. In fact,“What if he goes down so fast, he blasts into space like a rocket and ends up on another planet?” Yet, a simple question from a friend who is next in line, gives Clyde pause – to reconsider the doom he anticipates. And with a deep breath and his eyes tightly shut, the little hippo overcomes his fears. Clyde is thrilled with his success and is now up for the challenge of going down the BIG slide with his eyes wide open! A delightful, reassuring story with colorful, enchanting illustrations. A perfect picture book for anxious preschoolers.

[Qing Zhuang · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Clyde Likes to Slide” is a story about a little hippo’s first time on the big slide at the park. He is so afraid that he brings his stuffie with him and imagines scary scenarios if he goes down the slide. He eventually goes for it and now loves it. Do you know a child like Clyde? I bet you do! Compassionately told by Keith Marantz, the story is one that every child can relate to. It is a big deal for young ones to try new things and the anxiety and the courage it takes to overcome it are immense but critical in a child’s development. The illustrations by Larissa Marantz are bright, digital yet warm, featuring an assortment of adorable animal characters. Colorful modern patterns are used to describe Clyde’s emotions and innerworld during this short but dramatic ordeal. At the end, Clyde is shown leveling up to the spiral slide, and if you ever hang out with young children you know it’s all the rage. Life is more fun with a little bit of courage and openness!

[Scoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about a little hippo overcoming his #anxiety. Perfect for all ages. I over think every thing, just like Clyde! The illustrations are hilarious and make me laugh out loud.

[Elisa Boxer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute must-have for any parent who wants to help an anxious child face their fears. The pop-off-the-page illustrations are adorable. The text is delightfully simple. But this book has incredible depth and resonance in terms of taking action in the face of catastrophic thinking. I wish I had this book when my anxious son was younger. It would have been my #1 pick!

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book so perfectly captures real and overwhelming toddler/preschool fears. A tall playground slide can seem oh, so intimidating to a little one, and Keith and Larissa Marantz show the enormity of Clyde's fears from his perspective. Larissa Marantz's playful illustrations reveal how truly real Clyde's anxieties are, even if they seem fantastic like shooting off into space. Keith Marantz's pacing and tension are so perfect, by the time Clyde overcomes his fears your toddler/preschooler will be cheering him on as well.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clyde the Hippo: Clyde Likes to Slide by Keith and Larissa Marantz, PICTURE BOOK Penguin Workshop, (Penguin Random House), 2020, $9. 9780593094495

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Clyde the Hippo is a worrier. This is his first time going on the slide at the park. It is much higher than his slide at home. What if . . . it's too hot or too sandy? What if he goes down too fast or too slow? But just when he decides to turn around and go back down the ladder, his friend Toby says just the right thing.

I love Larissa Marantz illustrations! Clyde's imagined perils on the slide are great - just what a child might think. I love that Clyde makes his own decision, that neither his mom nor his friends "make" him slide. A sweet story, easy for a beginning reader to try on their own, and part of a series.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clyde is getting ready to go down the big slide for the first time. It's not like his little slide in his own yard. He wishes he'd prepared by donning a little extra gear. Sigh. Here goes. Eyes shut. And...whoosh! Again, again.

Big illustrations. Every kid will enjoy this one.

[Melanie Ellsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clyde, a young hippo, and Orson, his stuffed animal dog, make an adorable duo in this book about confronting fear. The perfectly pared down language is simple but also funny and moving. I loved the line when Clyde, sitting at the top of the slide, afraid to go down, looks back and sees his friend on the stairs "also awaiting possible doom." There's a hilarious series of illustrations as Clyde imagines worst-case scenarios around going down the slide. The language and illustrations wonderfully capture Clyde's fear and his exhilaration when he finally faces those fears. This book is a great pick for anxious children who like to be prepared for everything, and it will also appeal to anyone who has ever faced something new and scary. I can't wait to read more stories about Clyde as he uses his huge imagination, exuberance, and persistence to face his next challenge!

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toddler and preschool anxiety over playground equipment is real. For some children, even the smallest slides look terrifyingly BIG. But in this book, Clyde imagines all sorts of truly silly scenarios that could happen when he goes down the slide. Like, perhaps he could go too fast and be blasted into space. Or what if he goes so slow and everyone has gone home by the time he reaches the bottom? It could even start to rain while he's on his way down, and he'd be washed away. Clyde takes a leap of faith and, thank goodness, discovers he really likes the slide. The hilarious pictures and exaggerated fears will have children in giggles - not only over Clyde's fears, but perhaps some of their own.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh sweet Clyde! I've said it before, with CLYDE GOES TO SCHOOL, and I'll say it again for CLYDE LIKES TO SLIDE--- I love this anxious little hippo, and I wish I'd had these books when my own worrywart was in preschool.

Clyde is excited to go on the slide at the playground, until he realizes how much BIGGER it is than the one in his backyard (cleverly shown on the title page, before our story begins). He imagines every possible scenario a little hippo could worry about, only to be forced to slide down anyway, because a friend is waiting behind him. And--- surprise! Clyde LOVES to slide!

This book is short, sweet, and just the thing to help an anxious child process their everyday experiences in a fun and funny way.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clyde the Hippo is a worrier. This is his first time going on the slide at the park. It is much higher than his slide at home. What if . . . it's too hot or too sandy? What if he goes down too fast or too slow? But just when he decides to turn around and go back down the ladder, his friend Toby says just the right thing.

I love Larissa Marantz illustrations! Clyde's imagined perils on the slide are great - just what a child might think. I love that Clyde makes his own decision, that neither his mom nor his friends "make" him slide. A sweet story, easy for a beginning reader to try on their own, and part of a series.

For this and more of my reviews, visit http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keith and Larissa Marantz have brought Clyde, the anxiety-ridden, butterfly loving hippo back for a second book in the Clyde the Hippo series. In book one, Clyde faced the dreaded first day of preschool, and now it’s time for another first—he’s about to try the big slide at the park. But so many things could go wrong! Colorful and oh, so funny illustrations show the horrible fate that awaits Clyde (and his stuffed animal, Orson) if he dares to go down the slide. I won’t give away the ending, except to say that it’s perfect! CLYDE LIKES TO SLIDE is a fun read aloud and an engaging story that anxious (and not-so-anxious) kids everywhere will love.

[Carrie Finison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clyde the little purple hippo is back in this adorable story featuring a familiar situation to parents and children - the first time down the big, big playground slide. Clyde's anxiety starts to get the better of him as he thinks about all the things that *could* happen - with subtle humor and funny illustrations that will get kids smiling. In the end, Clyde takes the plunge and discovers how much he LOVES the slide. Every young child faces something scary like this at some point and will relate to Clyde's top-of-the-slide dilemma and take delight in its resolution.

[Lizzy Hartwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book so perfectly captures real and overwhelming toddler/preschool fears. A tall playground slide can seem oh, so intimidating to a little one, and Keith and Larissa Marantz show the enormity of Clyde's fears from his perspective. Larissa Marantz's playful illustrations reveal how truly real Clyde's anxieties are, even if they seem fantastic like shooting off into space. Keith Marantz's pacing and tension are so perfect, by the time Clyde overcomes his fears your toddler/preschooler will be cheering him on as well.

[Hope Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clyde likes to slide is a perfect book for little ones who fear trying something new or challenging. Clyde is afraid of a slide that is out of his comfort zone, and while he is contemplating, his imagination runs wild until he decides to try and see. This universal story about trying something new is very relatable to young children. The text captures a child’s emotions so well while colorful and vibrant illustrations fill each page. A great sequel to a charming purple hippo.

[Anna Crowley Redding · Rating 5 out of 5]

CLYDE LIKES TO SLIDE just so perfectly nails the fear, wonder, and surprises that come with trying something new. What will happen? Will I be okay? These are the fundamental questions addressed in this joyful book. The sparse text and imaginative illustrations keep us in the moment and transport us to unexpected places... just like the mind of a child. A must for parents and kids who are taking new things!

[Abi Cushman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Clyde climbs up the big slide at the park and starts to get second thoughts. It's a feeling we can all relate to. But with humor, an adorable main character, and an equally adorable stuffed dog named Orson, this book offers readers a way forward.

Kids will love the fun, bright illustrations and the very relatable little hippo. A fantastic addition to the CLYDE THE HIPPO series!

[Lindsay Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

CLIDE LIKES TO SLIDE is the perfect antidote for preschooler who might be nervous to try new things. Spare, relatable text by author Keith Marantz shows Clyde expressing his worries and overcoming them. Vivid, rounded illustrations by illustrator Larissa Marantz immerse the reader in Clyde's friendly world. A great addition to any library for preschoolers and the earliest independent readers.

[Gregory Barrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clyde Likes to Slide but he has never seen this slide. It’s new and big which makes it a bit scary. This is a delightful book that highlights the emotions and thoughts when you encounter something different while growing up. Larissa Marantz’s illustrations are bright and stylized and while Clyde and Orson are adorable, I equally love the textures and patterning she uses to create Clyde’s world.

[Jen Malia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids love Clyde Likes to Slide, especially my 5-year-old son. Keith and Larissa Marantz show Clyde’s fear of the big slide in a way that kids can understand. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “What if...” as an excuse to try new things from my three kids. This is a must read to help kids get out and explore their world.

[Julie Rowan-Zoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clyde the purple hippo is back and ready to try something new, except his imagination is getting the best of him - again! Little ones will be rooting for him, even those whose fears sometimes overwhelm and dampen curiosity. Bright, cheerful illustrations reassure that Clyde will certainly soon be enjoying himself!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, who isn't afraid of the slides at parks? This is a totally reasonable fear for toddlers and adults with bad backs everywhere. Children will love Clyde's very rational (okay, very silly) fears about slides. The illustrations are colorful and fun and children will enjoy looking for some of Clyde's friends from the other books in the backgrounds.

[Joana Pastro · Rating 5 out of 5]

CLYDE LIKES TO SLIDE is so sweet and fun! A relatable story that will certainly help diminish childhood anxiety and help kids get through the fears that come with each new experience. Larissa Marantz’ art is AMAZING and sure to make children laugh out loud! I highly recommend this book!