Quiet and sincere.
A family supports one another as they grieve the loss of a stillborn baby.
A young only child eagerly awaits the arrival of a new baby. Each family member helps the little one mentally and emotionally prepare, from decorating the nursery with Daddy to picking out books with Auntie and toys with Grandma. But on the day Mommy and Daddy are supposed to bring the baby home, everything changes. The baby is stillborn, and everyone is devastated. The child is sad, too, “because I already loved you!” Little by little, the family grieves and begins the process of healing, but they never forget the baby. Translated from French and written from an unnamed youngster’s perspective, the succinct text clearly and honestly conveys both emotions and information in a child-friendly way. Family members assure the narrator that while death is forever, stillbirth is rare, and “it’s no one’s fault, especially not mine.” The childlike illustrations convey emotions with crayonlike lines and textures. White space directs the eye, encouraging readers to linger. There are few books on the topic of pregnancy loss and even fewer about grieving for a stillborn baby, making this tale an important entry point for deeper discussion. The work closes with a list of U.S. and Canadian organizations that offer support for those dealing with stillbirth. Characters are light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Quiet and sincere. (Picture book. 2-6)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2023
ISBN: 9781773069739
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Groundwood
Review Posted Online: June 8, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2023
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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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