Kiki's Blankie

by Janie Bynum

With her adored polka-dot blankie in hand, Kiki can do and be anything she wants. In a flash, it transforms her into a cowgirl, a pirate, even a superhero with a cape! So when the blankie blows away, Kiki will do anything to get it back…even face a very scary crocodile. Janie Bynum’s irresistible heroine proves that love makes us brave and strong—even when we don’t have our special blanket to protect us!   

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Animals, Childrens, Superheroes, Adventure

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2009

About the author

JANIE BYNUM is the author-illustrator of several books for children, including ALTOONA BABOONA. She says, "When I sat down to write Nutmeg and Barley, I was thinking about how opposites tend to attract. I also wanted to explore the consequences of miscommunication -- so common in all types of relationships. Finally, and probably most important, Nutmeg and Barley is about how friends nurture each other -- in spite of little tiffs or differences."

from Candlewick's website http://www.candlewick.com

Reviews

[Taylor Kundel-Gower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kiki is feisty and adorable!

[Brandi Kutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Kiki just wants to be with her blankie! She and her blankie go on fantastic adventures, but what happens when the blankie flies away? Will she ever be Super Kiki again?

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rec for ages 3-6.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book that was a hit with children and daycare providers alike. One daycare teacher looked it up immediately after I read it to her kids because she liked it so much.

[Caroline Herfindahl]

A fun story for anyone who has ever loved a special blankie.

[Annie MacPherson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story for when that blanket or favorite stuffed animal really needs to be washed, but those tiny fingers are in a death grip.

[Jessalyn Plant · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is interesting enough and relatable for toddlers. I just found the illustrations a little off for me.

[Ms. Jeane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book I thought might not be quite engaging enough for Blanket Storytime, but I did keep it to read to my daughter for bedtime and she seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.

[Meghan Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a fabulous book to include in a storytime about Imagination or Bravery.

Kiki does everything with her blankie. She becomes a camper, a pirate, a superhero, and a cowgirl among other things when she has her blankie. One day, as she was sailing, her blankie flew away. Kiki feels lost without it. She eventually finds it stuck in a tree above a sleeping alligator. She thinks about scaring the alligator away, but she can't be scary without her blankie. Then she thinks about flying over it, but she can't fly without it. Eventually she feels brave and swings down from a big tree to grab the blankie. Kiki loves her blankie.

[September Michaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kid's book by Janie Bynum, Dallas author, is the story of a Kiki, a monkey who has a strong attachment to her blankie. The story begins by showing all of the things Kiki can do with her blankie. Soon, she loses the blankie and it lands on a branch above an crocodile. Kiki summons her courage to create a plan and saves her blankie, washes it, and goes to sleep.

Large, focused pictures that tell the story. Light text. Would use for as a selection for preschool story time. Not very rhyming or singsong, but there is some inclination to keep the pages turning.

[Bridget R. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kiki and her blankie are inseparable. They go everywhere together and have great adventures. When Kiki looses her blankie, she risks life and limb to retrieve it.

What I Thought: What a cute book. The subject will be near and dear to many hearts. I especially liked the part where Kiki’s blanket got a bath. Little ones are loath to give up there blankets to the washing machine. Seeing that Kiki does without qualm may make it easier for them.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about a monkey and her attachment to her blanket. It takes a little bit of imagination to enjoy the ending, but after all---kids do have imaginations, don't they? Will use for May OR with younger group--expect that they will enjoy the adventure of the monkey as she uses her blanket in different ways as she plays.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kiki's blanket goes everywhere Kiki goes. Her blanket shares her adventures and helps with her creative play. The blanket is more than a blanket. It is a sail, a bandana, a napkin, and more. But trouble happens when a gust of wind blows blankie away.


Theme: blankets
Additional themes: monkeys, crocodiles, imagination

Reviewed from a library book.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book. Nothing outstanding, but it was fun to read before bed. My daughter likes monkeys, so she enjoyed seeing with Kiki did with her blankie on every page. I liked that it showed how to use your imagination.

The pictures were fairly simple and the text wasn't hard either. It's a good book for young readers.

[Sam Bloom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book, but a semi-ridiculous ending sort of ruins it. Not that everything that happens in a children's picture book be entirely plausible, but flying monkeys in an otherwise "realistic" story kind of kill it for me.

[MissInformation · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Kiki never goes anywhere without her blankie." It sets her imagination free to be a cowgirl, sailor, to fly, etc. One day blankie must be rescued from a crocodile- but how will she be brave without her blankie?

Cute, repetitive, and fun. Good for Story time.

[Christine Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kiki the monkey has many daring adventures with her polka-dot "blankie," but when it sails away without her and lands above a sleeping crocodile, she may not be brave enough to come to the rescue. www.hcpl.net

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a cute story about a monkey named Kiki who lost her favorite blanket. Kiki must find a way to get her blanket from the top of a tree with a sleeping crocodile beneath. The illustrations are great and the story is cute especially if your little girl loves monkeys.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though my son isn't a huge fan of the blankie sometimes, this book is about a cute little monkey that uses her blankie for everything! When her blankie flies away, she does all to find it! Mostly it's just fun to say Kiki.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple book about a monkey named Kiki and her blankie. They do everything together! What will Kiki do when Blankie gets stuck in a tree above an alligator? Will she find the courage to jump up and get it? You'll have to read it to find out.

Good for toddler or preschool storytimes.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I myself am a blankie girl and would have done anything to keep my blankie near me. I love Kiki and think this is great for a blankie kid. Ages 3+

[Edna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly delightful story accompanied by sweet illustrations about little Kiki's adventures and feelings for her "security" blankie.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The boys loved this one... especially Aydin!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since Carl has a blankie and also a snuggly animal he calls Kiki, my mom had to get him this book when she saw it. And he loves it! Squeals and laughs out loud. So cute!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great at holding the attention of a two year old.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

We loved this, my little one was in tears at the thought of returning it to the library.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many kids have a blanket or toy that they are really attached to. This picture book beautifully illustrates where imagination and a beloved blanket can take a child.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

the things you can do with a blanket!

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This simple book gets a high review for its similarity to Son's love of his "denden." As his father said, "Is there anything that denden cannot do?" And the same of Kiki's blankie.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got several laughs at Kiki's antics and even some gasps when the crocodile came on the scene in storytime. Fun story and great, clean, bright illustrations.