Fun—but less imaginative than some other bibliophilic picks.
The cast of characters from Hooray for Hat! and Hooray for Today! (2014, 2016) returns, this time cheerfully helping Turtle reunite with his favorite book.
The opening artwork sets up ongoing humor: pale-green Turtle stands, holding his brown turtle shell and tossing out various objects. The text reads: “He searched his entire house—but no book.” After ransacking an enormous pile of toys, sports equipment, and musical instruments, Turtle realizes that he may have lent his book to Zebra. Zebra has already passed the book along to Owl, and Owl to Giraffe. (Both Turtle and Zebra have male pronouns; no other animals are assigned genders in this text.) In between each friendly encounter, “HOORAY FOR BOOKS!” is repeated in large, colorful letters. Each animal offers a different book to Turtle, but he is intent on rereading his favorite. When Turtle finally retrieves his book from the bottom of Lion’s enormous pile, older readers may be disappointed that the laws of physics do not lead to total chaos but to a rather controlled toppling of tomes. In fact, despite some droll humor and the reading-positive message, the text and illustrations probably will have the greatest appeal for children who are not yet reading independently; the simple sentences and repetitions lend themselves well to reading aloud. To a struggling emergent reader, however, this excited celebration of books may feel more like coercion than encouragement.
Fun—but less imaginative than some other bibliophilic picks. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-544-74802-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: June 4, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2017
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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