Pitch-perfect and fast-paced, this series hits all the right notes.
A sometimes-dissonant quartet of anthropomorphic instruments continue to weather ups and downs at summer camp.
In their debut, the campers of Bunk J—Zook the kazoo, Kaylee the ukulele, Cordelia the accordion, and Trey the triangle—found harmony in time to triumph in a camp-wide competition. Now they’re pitted against their nemeses in Bunk M for a game of tug-of-war. As usual, Zook is full of himself, but Cordelia slips, and they end up sliding to third place. Bunk J’s trash talk irritates some of the other campers, who plan to divide the team; when Cordy can’t get over her mistakes, they see their chance. Kaylee suggests a surprise party to bolster Cordy’s self-esteem, but their planning lacks all discretion. Cordy’s convinced that her friends are dumping her, and their clumsy manipulations reinforce her angst. The next camp challenge is a group hike up Piccolo Peak, and Cordy channels her insecurities into training. The hike is canceled due to rain, but Cordy’s already set out. Now it’s up to her friends to rescue her. Conflict, excitement, and cartoon mastery compose a siren song for young readers. The round-eyed, expressive instruments cut adorable figures in Smith’s art, and Bunk J’s antics and support for one another are appealing.
Pitch-perfect and fast-paced, this series hits all the right notes. (Graphic chapter book. 6-9)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2024
ISBN: 9781499815207
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
What a wag.
What do you get from sewing the head of a smart dog onto the body of a tough police officer? A new superhero from the incorrigible creator of Captain Underpants.
Finding a stack of old Dog Mancomics that got them in trouble back in first grade, George and Harold decide to craft a set of new(ish) adventures with (more or less) improved art and spelling. These begin with an origin tale (“A Hero Is Unleashed”), go on to a fiendish attempt to replace the chief of police with a “Robo Chief” and then a temporarily successful scheme to make everyone stupid by erasing all the words from every book (“Book ’Em, Dog Man”), and finish off with a sort of attempted alien invasion evocatively titled “Weenie Wars: The Franks Awaken.” In each, Dog Man squares off against baddies (including superinventor/archnemesis Petey the cat) and saves the day with a clever notion. With occasional pauses for Flip-O-Rama featurettes, the tales are all framed in brightly colored sequential panels with hand-lettered dialogue (“How do you feel, old friend?” “Ruff!”) and narrative. The figures are studiously diverse, with police officers of both genders on view and George, the chief, and several other members of the supporting cast colored in various shades of brown. Pilkey closes as customary with drawing exercises, plus a promise that the canine crusader will be further unleashed in a sequel.
What a wag. (Graphic fantasy. 7-9)Pub Date: Aug. 30, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-545-58160-8
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Graphix/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2016
SEEN & HEARD
BOOK TO SCREEN
BOOK TO SCREEN
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape.
The fourth installment in Delacre’s early-reader series centers on the rich musical traditions of Puerto Rico, once again featuring sibling tree frogs Rafi and Rosi Coquí.
Readers learn along with Rafi and Rosi as they explore bomba, plena, and salsa in three chapters. A glossary at the beginning sets readers up well to understand the Spanish vocabulary, including accurate phoneticization for non-Spanish speakers. The stories focus on Rafi and Rosi’s relationship within a musical context. For example, in one chapter Rafi finds out that he attracts a larger audience playing his homemade güiro with Rosi’s help even though he initially excluded her: “Big brothers only.” Even when he makes mistakes, as the older brother, Rafi consoles Rosi when she is embarrassed or angry at him. In each instance, their shared joy for music and dance ultimately shines through any upsets—a valuable reflection of unity. Informational backmatter and author’s sources are extensive. Undoubtedly these will help teachers, librarians, and parents to develop Puerto Rican cultural programs, curriculum, or home activities to extend young readers’ learning. The inclusion of instructions to make one’s own homemade güiro is a thoughtful addition. The Spanish translation, also by Delacre and published simultaneously, will require a more advanced reader than the English one to recognize and comprehend contractions (“pa’bajo-pa-pa’rriba”) and relatively sophisticated vocabulary.
A welcome, well-researched reflection of cultural pride in the early-reader landscape. (Early reader. 7-9)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-89239-429-6
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Children's Book Press
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
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