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
Nothing new here but a nonetheless congenial matriculant in publishing’s autumnal rite of back-to-school offerings.
The Crayons head back to class in this latest series entry.
Daywalt’s expository text lays out the basics as various Crayons wave goodbye to the beach, choose a first-day outfit, greet old friends, and make new ones. As in previous outings, the perennially droll illustrations and hand-lettered Crayon-speak drive the humor. The ever wrapperless Peach, opining, “What am I going to wear?” surveys three options: top hat and tails, a chef’s toque and apron, and a Santa suit. New friends Chunky Toddler Crayon (who’s missing a bite-sized bit of their blue point) and Husky Toddler Crayon speculate excitedly on their common last name: “I wonder if we’re related!” White Crayon, all but disappearing against the page’s copious white space, sits cross-legged reading a copy of H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man. And Yellow and Orange, notable for their previous existential argument about the color of the sun, find agreement in science class: Jupiter, clearly, is yellow AND orange. Everybody’s excited about art class—“Even if they make a mess. Actually…ESPECIALLY if they make a mess!” Here, a spread of crayoned doodles of butterflies, hearts, and stars is followed by one with fulsome scribbles. Fans of previous outings will spot cameos from Glow in the Dark and yellow-caped Esteban (the Crayon formerly known as Pea Green). (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nothing new here but a nonetheless congenial matriculant in publishing’s autumnal rite of back-to-school offerings. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: May 16, 2023
ISBN: 9780593621110
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
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