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IZZY & OSCAR

Name: IZZY & OSCAR
Author: Allison Estes
ISBN: 978-1-4926-0150-0

by Allison Estes ; Dan Stark ; illustrated by Tracy Dockray ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 7, 2015

A grand addition to any pet-themed read-aloud session.

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Pirate captain Izzy finds a treasure of a pet in an octopus.

With his surprising ability to survive outside the water, Oscar the octopus isn’t much like a real octopus, but he isn’t much like an ordinary pet, either. He doesn't fetch or shake hands. He sleeps under the bed instead of on it, doesn't always behave well on a leash and doesn’t want to be ridden. His best trick is camouflage, but that backfires when, surprised in a hiding place, he inks Izzy's mother. Dockray’s lively illustrations portray the action and add to the humor of this cheery, unusual pet story, especially through Oscar’s expressive body language. Done with digitally friendly Doc Martin dyes and pencil, these images are colorful and engaging and will show well to a group. The diversity of the four seashore-exploring children in Izzy’s crew is suggested through their different hair styles and colors. They’re led by ponytailed, Caucasian Izzy, who does her best to figure out just what to do with this animal. “Oscar ate a lot. He grew bigger. So did his octopoop.” Young listeners may finally, sadly agree that “[a]n octopus belongs in the ocean,” but they’ll cheer at the unexpected resolution.

A grand addition to any pet-themed read-aloud session. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: April 7, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-4926-0150-0

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Review Posted Online: Feb. 2, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2015

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

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CARPENTER'S HELPER

by Sybil Rosen ; illustrated by Camille Garoche ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 16, 2021

Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story.

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A home-renovation project is interrupted by a family of wrens, allowing a young girl an up-close glimpse of nature.

Renata and her father enjoy working on upgrading their bathroom, installing a clawfoot bathtub, and cutting a space for a new window. One warm night, after Papi leaves the window space open, two wrens begin making a nest in the bathroom. Rather than seeing it as an unfortunate delay of their project, Renata and Papi decide to let the avian carpenters continue their work. Renata witnesses the birth of four chicks as their rosy eggs split open “like coats that are suddenly too small.” Renata finds at a crucial moment that she can help the chicks learn to fly, even with the bittersweet knowledge that it will only hasten their exits from her life. Rosen uses lively language and well-chosen details to move the story of the baby birds forward. The text suggests the strong bond built by this Afro-Latinx father and daughter with their ongoing project without needing to point it out explicitly, a light touch in a picture book full of delicate, well-drawn moments and precise wording. Garoche’s drawings are impressively detailed, from the nest’s many small bits to the developing first feathers on the chicks and the wall smudges and exposed wiring of the renovation. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.)

Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: March 16, 2021

ISBN: 978-0-593-12320-1

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random

Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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HEY, DUCK!

by Carin Bramsen & illustrated by Carin Bramsen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 22, 2013

A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.

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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)