A playful addition to an entertaining and punny series.
This third installment relies on the series’ winning formula: puns galore, a mystery, and unreliable magic.
At the Covenly Fall Fair, the three witches, Yuckmina, Hildegurp, and Glubbifer, run their carnival ride, the Flying Broom, while Jessica, their sensible 9-year-old friend from the earlier books, manages the nearby petting zoo. Soon, they have a mystery on their hands: One of the prize hens, Ruth Bader Ginsbuck; a vest-wearing, top-hatted frog; and the sisters’ cat, Graymalkin, are missing. Can the detectives find them—and also undo some unfortunate romantic and shape-shifting spells, distract a demanding spoiled boy, and avoid falling “fowl” of a chicken-suited villain who seems to have it in for the sisters? Many of the book’s puns will be spotted only by the Shakespeare-fluent—some reference Macbeth, while even more creatively distort Hamlet—but others are universally glee- or groan-worthy. Though the plot is chaotic, short chapters set a brisk pace, and all is resolved (and forgiven) by the end. As usual, the witches don’t always wield their wands effectively, but they can produce any necessary props from their clothing. The wordplay occasionally contains an explicit bit of wisdom (“Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t make it wrong”). Rust’s lively black-and-white illustrations reflect Covenly’s diversity, though the book doesn’t specify the characters’ specific races and ethnicities.
A playful addition to an entertaining and punny series. (caramel apples recipe) (Chapter book. 6-9)Pub Date: April 16, 2024
ISBN: 9781771476041
Page Count: 112
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2024
An enigmatic, quirky representation of an active imagination in search of understanding and companionship.
A child finds connection to the world all around in this Korean import.
The illustrations in this unusual picture book achieve a 3-D effect reminiscent of claymation. The opening scene shows an aerial view of a playground scattered with maple and gingko leaves; a tethered dog watches a child aiming at marbles. Accustomed to spending time alone and solitary play, Tong Tong’s fertile imagination infuses a bag of assorted spherical hard candies with powers that give voice to unlikely speakers, such as the living room sofa and Marbles the old dog, each speaking with Tong Tong to share a sentient perspective. The hard candies also channel the tough love hidden within Tong Tong’s father and Grandma’s bubbly, reassuring voice emanating from another realm. The candies’ magic reveals yet another dimension when Tong Tong is drawn outdoors to witness nature’s beauty as copious falling leaves bid farewell to the season. Through these uncanny exchanges, Tong Tong not only makes surprising discoveries, but also delves into complex emotions, celebrates a continuing relationship with Grandma, and takes courageous steps toward a tantalizing conclusion. The enhanced artwork establishes depth and perspective, featuring details some may find initially unsettling—along with the cryptic, open-ended narrative. That said, depictions of facial expressions are skillful and endearing, and the interplay between text and illustrations will cause readers to linger and ponder.
An enigmatic, quirky representation of an active imagination in search of understanding and companionship. (Picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5420-2959-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
Nicely paced, with just the right number of red herrings to keep readers thinking; they will hope the number 1 on the spine...
Jerry and Maya, classmates and friends, spend their spare time solving mysteries in their hometown of Pleasant Valley in this Swedish import.
Things are not so pleasant for Mohammed Carat, the richest man in Pleasant Valley. His world-famous jewelry store is losing money; apparently, one of his employees is stealing valuable diamonds and gems. The police are no help, so Mr. Carat turns to the youngsters for help. Each employee is a suspect: Vivian is in money trouble, former owner Danny wants his store back, and Luke’s flashy spending is suspicious. Jerry and Maya are hired to help out around the shop—washing windows, taking out the trash and so forth—but really they are there to watch the employees, both from inside the shop and from the church tower next door. Young mystery aficionados will enjoy solving the puzzle along with Maya and Jerry and will admire their observational powers. Full-color cartoon illustrations add much to the story, helping readers to see what the young gumshoes do. A map of Pleasant Valley and an illustrated cast of characters are provided in the early pages, allowing new readers an excellent reference tool to keep the many characters straight.
Nicely paced, with just the right number of red herrings to keep readers thinking; they will hope the number 1 on the spine indicates that this is the first of many Maya and Jerry mysteries. (Mystery. 7-9)Pub Date: July 31, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-448-48067-1
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Review Posted Online: May 27, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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