Is a pig the perfect pet? Readers might find themselves convinced by the end of this book.
This bright, illustrated story will resonate with every child who has wanted a special pet.
In this charming story, a young girl is determined that a pig would make the perfect pet. First she regales readers with surprising facts about pigs. Then she needs to convince her brother that a pet pig is a winning idea. Finally, brother and sister must persuade their mother that a pig would be a welcome and useful addition to their home. But that is easier said than done! What will it take for Mom to say yes? The pig, named Snowflake, is neither clean, nor easy, nor well-behaved, nor a prizewinner at the county fair, but in the end he brings something special to the table—something that not even Mom can object to! (Breathe easy: It’s not bacon.) With cheerful cartoon illustrations that pop from the page and a healthy sense of humor, this book resembles a child’s notebook, complete with handwritten checklists and enthusiasm. Young readers might take a cue from the author and write and draw persuasive essays of their own. Here, the protagonist uses the format to list not just the reasons why Snowflake is the best possible pet, but also the steps and planning required to convince family members of its merit, despite his trash-eating, dirt-bathing ways, giving readers a substantial model. The protagonist presents as a child of color and her brother as White.
Is a pig the perfect pet? Readers might find themselves convinced by the end of this book. (Graphic fiction. 5-10)Pub Date: March 30, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5344-8109-1
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: Dec. 14, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2021
Hee haw.
The print version of a knee-slapping cumulative ditty.
In the song, Smith meets a donkey on the road. It is three-legged, and so a “wonky donkey” that, on further examination, has but one eye and so is a “winky wonky donkey” with a taste for country music and therefore a “honky-tonky winky wonky donkey,” and so on to a final characterization as a “spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey.” A free musical recording (of this version, anyway—the author’s website hints at an adults-only version of the song) is available from the publisher and elsewhere online. Even though the book has no included soundtrack, the sly, high-spirited, eye patch–sporting donkey that grins, winks, farts, and clumps its way through the song on a prosthetic metal hoof in Cowley’s informal watercolors supplies comical visual flourishes for the silly wordplay. Look for ready guffaws from young audiences, whether read or sung, though those attuned to disability stereotypes may find themselves wincing instead or as well.
Hee haw. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: May 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-545-26124-1
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2018
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A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D.
Breakout kid barber J.D. embraces a summer of opportunity.
Readers met J.D. Jones just as he took his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, by storm, winning himself community acclaim and a chair at the revered Hart and Sons barbershop in series opener J.D. and the Great Barber Battle(2021). What’s next for the haircut prodigy? School’s just getting out, and there’s so much life happening outside—if only one can escape home learning with the grandparents. J.D.’s sister, Vanessa, brings along multitalented mutual friend Jessyka to share an ambitious challenge: “Let’s start a YouTube channel!” Can they get millions of views and wow the whole world? They are already amazing at haircuts and hairstyles—all they need is to learn how to make a great YouTube video. The story models strategies for scripting short videos reflecting the templates of viral YouTube hair tutorials, inviting readers to not only see the journey of the characters, but maybe also practice these skills at home. This book is bound to educate all about some of the most storied and cherished traditions within the Black community. Bringing in Vanessa is a great touch to extend the series across gender, and hopefully she’ll get a chance to lead her own adventures. This book blends skill-building, entrepreneurship, and strong family values to give young Black children visions of what’s possible when they follow their passions and embrace their community.
A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Aug. 3, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-11155-0
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Kokila
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021
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