Readers will cheer to see Buck’s talent brought to light.
Buck the beaver has one oversized front tooth dominating the left side of his mouth, and it’s a major hassle to daily life. That doesn’t stop him from being excited for the upcoming Beaverton Talent Show now that he and his friends are finally old enough to participate. But what is Buck’s talent? Even Buck doesn’t know, since every attempt to develop one ends disastrously when his tooth gets in the way. He takes some comfort in the success of his uncle Henry, a famous sculptor, whose dentition is just like Buck’s, but Buck wants to find his own talent. He tries to eliminate his problem with “Operation Tooth Pull.” After several failed plans, including the string-tied-to-a-doorknob method and cracking open a bunch of nuts, Buck becomes dejected. His bluebird friend tries to cheer him up, attesting that Buck’s talent may be “right under [his] nose.” Meanwhile, the talent show is underway, and Uncle Henry plans to unveil his latest masterpiece at it. In a moment of classic slapstick, Buck causes an accident with the sculpture and frantically works to remedy it. What results is an unveiling of Buck’s amazing talent! This short chapter book is formatted like a graphic novel, combining a low word count with the heavy use of narrative illustrations to make it appropriate for very early readers. The lively cartoon style pairs well with effects like speech balloons for dialogue.
Readers will cheer to see Buck’s talent brought to light. (Fiction. 6-8)Pub Date: March 30, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5344-8107-7
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: Dec. 24, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2021
A lesson that never grows old, enacted with verve by two favorite friends
Gerald the elephant learns a truth familiar to every preschooler—heck, every human: “Waiting is not easy!”
When Piggie cartwheels up to Gerald announcing that she has a surprise for him, Gerald is less than pleased to learn that the “surprise is a surprise.” Gerald pumps Piggie for information (it’s big, it’s pretty, and they can share it), but Piggie holds fast on this basic principle: Gerald will have to wait. Gerald lets out an almighty “GROAN!” Variations on this basic exchange occur throughout the day; Gerald pleads, Piggie insists they must wait; Gerald groans. As the day turns to twilight (signaled by the backgrounds that darken from mauve to gray to charcoal), Gerald gets grumpy. “WE HAVE WASTED THE WHOLE DAY!…And for WHAT!?” Piggie then gestures up to the Milky Way, which an awed Gerald acknowledges “was worth the wait.” Willems relies even more than usual on the slightest of changes in posture, layout and typography, as two waiting figures can’t help but be pretty static. At one point, Piggie assumes the lotus position, infuriating Gerald. Most amusingly, Gerald’s elephantine groans assume weighty physicality in spread-filling speech bubbles that knock Piggie to the ground. And the spectacular, photo-collaged images of the Milky Way that dwarf the two friends makes it clear that it was indeed worth the wait.
A lesson that never grows old, enacted with verve by two favorite friends . (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4231-9957-1
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Nov. 4, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2014
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further.
A young Latine boy finally gets to rescue the dog of his dreams, but training can be a challenge in two languages.
Like many children, José has been dreaming of having a pet of his own, specifically un perro, a dog. Like any good owner, José promptly begins training his new canine companion but soon realizes his rescue mutt, Feliz, knows only words in English. This is a problem because in José’s home everyone speaks both Spanish and English. José and Feliz must rise to the challenge; fortunately, treats and snuggles are great motivators. The narrative uses Spanish words and phrases throughout (“perros blancos,” “¡Yo quiero este!” “¡Sientate!”), usually with English context clues for understanding. This is complex vocabulary for an early reader, and the shifting in phonics from English to Spanish will be challenging for true beginners; the book is best suited for intermediate to advanced readers in dual-language classrooms or homes. Much like Feliz, however, it is sure to find a loving (and bilingual) home. Cheerful illustrations complement the text, helping readers make sense of the narrative. While José and his mother are darker-skinned, his father and sister are lighter-skinned. (This review has been updated for accuracy.)
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further. (glossary of Spanish-English words) (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: April 25, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-52116-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
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