by Sophie Gilmore ; illustrated by Sophie Gilmore ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 6, 2021
Pretty terrific, indeed, and visually marvelous.
Five friends—Turtle, Badger, Anteater, Mandrill, and Owl—want to do something together.
They want to do something “terrific,” as Turtle suggests, but finding an activity they can all enjoy is not easy. They earnestly consider various pursuits—climbing termite mounds, hanging by toes, digging, swimming through reeds, flying—each a pleasure for at least one but not for all. Gilmore’s palette, filled with greens and browns, is subdued and light, and the faces and bodies of her characters fill the page in a way that is lively and disarming. The disparate group is wonderful to look at, with its variety of shapes and colors of fur, feathers, or shell. The mandrill adds both color and gravitas to this elegant assemblage of sub-Saharan animals. The individual eyes and faces are expressive, personable, and somehow hilarious without being caricatured. When Snake comes along, the rock python has its own idea about togetherness, and it’s not a particularly appealing one. “It’s terrific to swallow an animal whole,” Snake whispers, conveying something shiveringly creepy along with the truth that some activities need not be considered at all. Still, the group of five is reminded in that moment, perhaps inadvertently, that eating together is something friends can enjoy (as long as they are not eating one another). Owl’s round belly hints that Snake contributed in some way to the feast.
Pretty terrific, indeed, and visually marvelous. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 6, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-06-302518-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: May 18, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2021
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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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