A mindful, whimsical lesson in inclusivity.
A duo of pears adjusts to a new playmate.
Together, a “pair of pears” teeter on a seesaw, play table tennis, and ride a tandem bike. Then Orange arrives and asks to join them. Little Pear immediately agrees, but Big Pear isn’t so sure. The trio try playing tic-tac-toe, rowing a boat, and having a tug of war, but three’s a crowd. Orange and Little Pear don’t mind, but Big Pear feels “squeezed out” by “someone new and zesty” and leaves in search of a new playmate. When Big Pear encounters three peas jumping rope, she asks to join them. So the three peas and Big Pear try playing piggy in the middle and making a cheerleading pyramid, activities designed best for three. As the peas tuck into their night pod, Big Pear just doesn’t fit. Missing her old friends, Big Pear returns with new games “perfect for three.” Using humorous wordplay, the text sends the message there’s always room for one more, a concept reinforced by the droll, quiet illustrations. Simple flat shapes in lime, orange, and ocher represent the pears, orange, and peas with minimal black lines suggesting their faces, limbs, and accessories. Variations in perspective, size, and placement of pear, orange, and pea shapes against the plain white, aqua, and gray backgrounds effectively create illusions of depth, time, and emotion for this small but expanding circle of friends.
A mindful, whimsical lesson in inclusivity. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 5, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-95035-470-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scribble
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
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 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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