A touching tale of friendship and shared achievement.
Frank the fox and Bert the bear ride again—literally.
In Frank and Bert (2023), the pair realized that friendship is more important than winning. In this sweetly funny latest outing, they discover some more truths: Self-confidence can be bolstered by a friend’s support, promises need to be kept for trust to develop, and eyes-on-the-road is a good rule. The duo want to ride together, but Bert consistently swerves and crashes. Frank devises “a brilliant plan,” pledging to “hold on to [Bert’s] bike…while he practices NOT wobbling.” This plan works until Frank decides to let go, since Bert is doing so well. Toppled again, an angry, upset Bert abjures bike-riding, but Frank has another idea: a passenger seat. Bert climbs in happily. Soon Frank, exhausted by pedaling the hefty bear up a 90-degree hill, begs Bert to walk. But, newly confident, Bert is sure he can pedal them both down. Frank fears the worst but trustingly gets into the seat, and Bear speeds them safely home: “Of course I did it,” he explains, “because you were right behind me all the way.” Frank sports a bright blue helmet; Bert’s helmet is shocking pink. Frank’s two-wheeler is acid yellow, and Bert’s comically small bike is chartreuse. Against the animals’ subdued brownish fur and the minimal backgrounds, these lively touches pop. Subtle changes in the duo’s deadpan expressions convey their feelings.
A touching tale of friendship and shared achievement. (Picture book. 2-6)Pub Date: April 2, 2024
ISBN: 9798887770444
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2024
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.
Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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