Comforting and sincere, like every good hug.
A tender story of the bond between a girl and her pet monster.
Shelly’s pet monster, Hugsby, is her best friend. Each day Hugsby greets Shelly with a hug after she returns from school. When Shelly’s school announces a Pet Monster Show-and-Tell Day, she becomes determined to teach Hugsby a new trick. Hugsby makes several earnest attempts to learn something new, including juggling and dancing. Shelly remains patient throughout this process, despite Hugsby’s lack of success, and tells him she loves him anyway. On the big day, Shelly is intimidated by her classmates’ pet monsters and their many talents. She starts to introduce Hugsby but is nervous until he envelops her in one of his trademark hugs, a return of the unconditional love and support she’s always given him. This tale is a gentle reminder about accepting others for who they are and of the value of quiet strengths like compassion. Shelly’s anxiety about Hugsby’s absence of talent provides a mirror for children who may feel insecure about their own status. Rendered in a soothing color palette of soft pastels, the illustrations reinforce that warmth and kindness are at the heart of this story. Shelly is cued Asian with pale skin and black hair; her classmates are a diverse group with different skin tones and hair textures. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.5-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 62% of actual size.)
Comforting and sincere, like every good hug. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-984835-98-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Sept. 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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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