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
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
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
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