The classic tale of a blonde house invader is given a new rock-’n’-roll spin.
Schwartz and Coulton use light verse to trace the beginnings of a hot new band. Papa Bear can play the drums, Mama Bear is great on guitar, and Baby Bear tickles the ivories, but none of them can hit the high notes they need to attract an audience. While they are out auditioning singers, Goldi stumbles upon their cottage-turned–recording studio. “ ‘A studio! Great balls of fire!’ / Amazed, Goldi raced through the door. / She forgot about food / and was now in the mood / to hurry on in and explore.” After trying out the various instruments, mics and headphones, she eventually falls asleep at the keyboard, where the bear family finds her drooling on the keys. Her startled scream is the perfect high C the band has been looking for. “Their albums now top all the rock charts. / A countrywide tour has been planned. / The fans scream and shout. / They’re crazy about… // Goldi Rocks and the Great Three Bear Band.” Wragg’s pencil-and–digital cartoon illustrations match the text but add little that’s new, and the limericklike verse doesn’t always scan well. Cute but not much more. (Fractured fairy tale. 5-8)
Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-399-25685-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: Nov. 30, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2013
A charming year in the life of a most idyllic farm; horse lovers will be entranced.
Let’s go for a pony ride!
Lily, a young Black child who lives on a farm, takes readers on a tour. Meadows’ verse leads us step by step through the seasons—ponies grazing in a pasture on a warm day, Lily taking part in a pony show in autumn, and ponies hunkering down in the barn, taking refuge from the “frost and snow” of winter. The easy rhythm of the text pairs well with Cloud’s soft, pastoral vistas. While the story is delivered with a light touch, it still shows the hard work of caring for a large animal. “Soapy water in a pail. / Gentle strokes from head to tail.” “Pick the hooves / for stone and dirt / I notice when / my pony’s hurt.” Exuding familial warmth, the bright artwork lets readers follow Lily from pastures to picnics—and even, best of all, to the arrival of a newcomer: “A foal is born / New life is here.” This easy reader will speak to any child who has wished for a pony of their own and refreshingly centers a family of color—something not often seen in similar titles.
A charming year in the life of a most idyllic farm; horse lovers will be entranced. (Early reader. 5-8)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780593483169
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: March 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2023
Amusing but a little off tempo.
It’s important to hit all the right notes.
A tan-skinned musical composer with puffy black hair is busy at work on his next musical masterpiece when Half Note, a music symbol denoting two beats, feels unappreciated. Half Note is jealous of the more commonly used Quarter Note (one beat) and Eighth Note. Although the other musical symbols attempt to calm and comfort Half Note, she decides to run away. The next day, Composer needs Half Note and panics when he realizes that she’s gone. The other notes and musical symbols try to find her, but it’s only when they try to play her favorite song, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” without her—with terrible results—that she comes running back. The story’s humor—which is largely based on “dad joke” puns—is completely dependent on readers’ musical knowledge. The artwork, a mix of acrylic and colored pencil, attempts to add some allegrezza to the piece, and while it’s not unsuccessful, it’s facing an uphill battle. Music teachers and musically minded caregivers may find some value in this story, but it will likely be too specialized for general readers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Amusing but a little off tempo. (glossary) (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: March 14, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-64567-631-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Page Street
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2023
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