This book’s likable French protagonist makes its environmentalist message go down easy.
“Once upon a time in the great city of Paris, near Rue Saint-Rustique in the 18th arrondissement, there lived a girl named Belle.”
After a few more facts about Paris are revealed, readers learn that the creative, friendly Belle visits her grandparents in the country every summer and that this summer, her special present is a bicycle. Belle pedals off into the countryside, where a minor cycling accident leads her to meet the title’s bee and then to learn a few scientific facts from it. The made-to-be-read-aloud storytelling rhythm of the first page continues throughout, with more text than is typical of contemporary picture books. In fact, the text, tone, illustrations and a song by woodland creatures are all reminiscent of Golden Books. However, one of its strongest messages is all 21st-century: Human beings need bee pollination for many of their favorite foods. Other more general aphorisms include the bee’s comment to Belle—in French and then English—“A place and a purpose for everything—that’s the beauty of nature.” Readers unfamiliar with French language and culture will feel the lack of a glossary or pronunciation key. The red-and-white-checkered endpapers, echoed in the pages illustrating the contents of Belle’s backpack, reinforce the originality of this fantasy-and-nonfiction book. A list of “delicious foods” needing bee pollination is appended.
This book’s likable French protagonist makes its environmentalist message go down easy. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Dec. 9, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-500-65027-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Review Posted Online: Oct. 21, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2014
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
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