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
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
Relatable bedtime fare.
In this picture book from comedian Gatto, a little one embarks on a nighttime detective caper while also learning some calming techniques.
Tucked into bed, a light-skinned youngster with a mop of brown hair is almost ready to go to sleep, but something’s missing. Eyes wide, mouth agape, the child wonders, “Where’s Bearry?” The snuggly teddy is lost. Armed with a household map and magnifying glass and trailed by a pup sidekick, the tot searches high and low. “He’s not in the playroom / with my robot and blocks. / He’s not in the hamper / with all the stinky socks.” More searching comes up empty, and the increasingly distraught narrator worries, “Maybe he took a trip on the ferry? / Oh no! I’m freaking out! // WHERE’S BEARRY?!?!” Luckily, the youngster remembers to take a deep breath and count down from three. These actions help soothe the intrepid detective, and suddenly, all becomes clear. (Spoiler alert: Bearry is found.) The jaunty, singsong text trips up a bit here and there but propels the mystery forward. Flowers’ colorful art captures the wide range of emotions the youngster experiences: sadness, panic, serenity, and relief.
Relatable bedtime fare. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2024
ISBN: 9780593750193
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2024
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