Another warm and relatable triumph.
In the friends’ third outing, Frank faces two challenges: delayed gratification and honesty.
Frank the fox (who narrates) and Bert the bear’s previous picnics have been marred by mishaps: rain, wasps, a scary squirrel. But this one will be perfect—plus, Bert has brought along a surprise in his box. The duo set out for their favorite spot under a tree, near some rounded hills. The lunch looks delicious, and Frank can’t wait for the surprise. When it’s unfortunately delayed by Bert’s post-meal nap, Frank opens the box, which turns out to be full of caramel crunch cookies: “my absolute favorite cookies in the whole world.” Surely it would be OK to eat just one? “Or maybe even two…or three…or four…or five!” Uh-oh. Now Frank must explain why the box is empty. Frank blames those scary squirrels—10 of them! But Bert is so worried about his friend’s tussle with the squirrels that Frank feels guilty and decides to tell the truth—and is swiftly forgiven. Their next picnic looks like it might just resemble their last one, with Fox bearing muffins for Bert…but there’s a surprise ending for everyone! The language and pacing are just right, the tone understated, the conflict relatable. The squirrels are manic without being truly scary. Bert’s scribbly fur and Frank’s red hatch marks evoke character, and their accessories, all blue for Fox, all pink for Bert, further help differentiate them.
Another warm and relatable triumph. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 9798887771328
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Review Posted Online: Nov. 23, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2025
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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