Massively cute, but not cloying, with an ever timely message.
A tender affirmation of the permanence of the parent-child bond.
Fuge follows Sam McBratney’s strategy in Guess How Much I Love You (1994) in leaving both the genders and the actual relationship between the large and small companions he conjures unspecified, so any number of situations could be mapped onto this lyrical expression of inseparability. One thing is sure—Fuge remains unexcelled in depicting animal figures of extreme, relentless adorability. Here a pair of anthropomorphic polar bears (with a certain amount of koala DNA visible in their big, shiny black noses and outsized fuzzy ears) frolics on two legs through snowy Arctic settings to undulating lines of rhymed reassurance: “We often imagine faraway lands, / with parrots and palm trees / and warm golden sands. / But then we agree that / we don’t need that stuff…. / Just being together is / more than enough!” (Fuge takes the opportunity of the reference to parrots and palm trees to imagine a tropical scene, adding a bit of warmth to the generally icy blues and whites of the cartoon spreads.) The day, spent alone aside from a few cameos by birds and other small creatures, ends in a cozy ice cave with smooches literal and figurative: “ ‘Together!’ you say, as we cuddle up tight. / ‘Forever,’ I whisper, and kiss you goodnight.” (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.4-by-20.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 75% of actual size.)
Massively cute, but not cloying, with an ever timely message. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Dec. 22, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-30388-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: Nov. 17, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2020
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
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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