This Swiss-German import—originally written in English—delivers little other than a troubling crying-isn’t-OK message.
As in their previous outing, Five Little Ducklings Go to Bed (2013), all it takes is for one sibling to lose their cool about starting school, and the rest follow.
Although four of these little yellow ducklings are excited about donning their black-and-white–striped neckties and heading off to school, the fifth one’s tears and declaration that they’ll miss their mother are enough to get the waterworks flowing in all five. But mama duck pauses only a moment before kissing them all, telling them not to cry, reassuring them that it’s OK to miss someone and that they’ll remain in “each other’s hearts,” all the while continuing the morning routine and leading the ducklings to join other animal children at school. The five, who haven’t looked sad for several pages, “wiped their eyes, / Waddled off to school with their heads held high,” subtly sending the message that crying isn’t OK and must be suppressed. They all have a great day; indeed, there’s nary a tear from any of the new students, rather unrealistic for the first day of school. Roth’s verses are a bit rough; both the rhyme and rhythm frequently off. Julian’s ducklings are differentiated by their various hats but are otherwise interchangeable, and though the school scenes are delightful, the relationships among the ducks, which should be the foundation of the tale, aren’t demonstrably affectionate save for an ending family hug.
This Swiss-German import—originally written in English—delivers little other than a troubling crying-isn’t-OK message. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 23, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4346-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: May 11, 2019
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A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 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
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