An ambitious foray into the world of words, labels, and social justice, sure to provoke conversation.
When words are just too much….
Luna and Zion, two dark-skinned kids, are watching TV when they become overwhelmed by big, difficult words that represent hard-to-understand concepts. “Words like ‘pandemic’ and ‘homelessness.’ ‘Inequality’ and ‘immigration.’ ” Appealing, softly rounded cartoons accompany text that leans heavily on the figurative language as Zion counts the syllables (“the words a wad of gum too big to chew”) and Luna builds the words in towers of alphabet blocks that topple over. The two decide to work together to solve the problem, but they need help, so they enlist the help of diverse neighborhood children and even some adults to help them write new words on banners and signs—courage, strength, freedom—and march in a parade. Attached to kites, the celebratory words rise into the sky, and the children even paint a mural of inspiring individuals. While the goals of this book—to help children focus on the positive and build strength—are admirable, the execution doesn’t quite work, as the text wanders too far into the abstract and ultimately provides substitutions for the difficult words rather than a true understanding of what they mean. Still, the idea that children can channel their frustration with the world into action is profoundly important, and this selection provides an opening to discuss big ideas like equity in a comforting context. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An ambitious foray into the world of words, labels, and social justice, sure to provoke conversation. (author’s note, information about the people depicted in the mural) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2023
ISBN: 9781665900324
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Caitlyn Dlouhy/Atheneum
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2023
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 disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
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