by Christianne Jones ; illustrated by Cale Atkinson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2018
Altogether a useful and attractive story with an often needed lesson.
Harrison P. Spader, a pale-green hippopotamus, has personal-space issues.
Harrison has a very poor sense of just how close he should come to all of his friends, among them, a dog, a rabbit, a bear, and a moose. Lively illustrations and a couple of sentences of text per page neatly summarize his issues; he doesn’t just sit too close, but also hugs too much, high-fives too hard, and shakes hands too long. Facial expressions clearly depict his victims’ dismay and his innocent, exuberant misapprehension. His parents finally provide him with some tips for determining how close he ought to stand to his friends (although they don’t ever address his other problems, such as the high-fiving and hand shaking). Although didactic by intention, this effort is easy to digest. Atkinson’s illustrations display just enough hyperbole to be funny, and Jones’ text captures Harrison’s common-enough problem without mocking his youthful enthusiasm for personal contact. The solution Harrison’s father offers, “the Space Saver,” involves Harrison’s defining that nebulous concept of appropriate space by standing “Arms out front then out real wide.” Although this movement does create a socially acceptable space, it could get little children into a bit of trouble if an area is too crowded (just as Harrison discovers).
Altogether a useful and attractive story with an often needed lesson. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5158-2723-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Picture Window Books
Review Posted Online: May 22, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2018
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by Pip Jones ; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2020
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
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by Sandra Boynton ; illustrated by Sandra Boynton ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 4, 2023
WOO-HOO! This is the perfect way to foster healthy self-esteem in little ones.
What’s better than a cheerleading chicken?
Are you ever blue, unsure, tired, or overworked? Do you ever feel lost or overwhelmed? This uplifting book, expressed in delightful, jaunty verse, explains how to lift your spirits pronto: What you need is a booster chicken telling you’re doing great even when you’re not so confident, as when you’re learning or practicing a new skill, for instance. Your feathered champion will be right there, encouraging you all the way, with a loud “WOO HOO!” that’ll keep you going and remove any doubt you’re super terrific. But what if your cheerful chick errs and doesn’t do what it set out to do? Don’t worry—your cheery chicken just needs a reminder that everyone makes mistakes. That alone is a pep talk, enhanced by the wisdom that making mistakes allows everyone to learn and demonstrate they did their best. So forgive yourself, chickens! But the best thing is…instead of relying on someone else—like a chicken—to strengthen your ego, say a generous daily “WOO HOO!” to yourself. This riotous book hits all the right notes and does so succinctly and hilariously. The energetic, comical illustrations, in Boynton’s signature style, will elicit giggles and go far to make the book’s important point. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
WOO-HOO! This is the perfect way to foster healthy self-esteem in little ones. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-316-48679-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2023
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