Scientific facts blend seamlessly with the fantasy of literal animal activists.
Little polar bear Lars is back—and this time, he needs to stop humans from depleting his fishing grounds.
There is nothing subtle about the intention of this book, which is to plant in the youngest generation the seeds of activism around climate change by introducing one specific example of its importance. The beauty of it is how seemingly effortlessly the artwork—sweet-faced, line-drawn animals against backgrounds of freezing land and water and pastel skies—and the simple, often humorous text together deliver a plot about animals using ingenuity and cooperation to chase humans from their favorite fishing haunt. On the first page, Lars’ father grumbles about annually warmer springtimes, and his mother adds that, in addition to melting ice, increasing numbers of human visitors are threatening the “fishing bay.” The next day, Lars disobeys his parents’ rules about exploring alone and sets out to find the fishing bay. When he finds himself competing for food with Isa the bird and Robbie the seal, the animals soon realize the fault lies with too many ships rumbling through. The sweet, whimsical appearances of the animals belie their amazing abilities to figure out how to demolish a barbed-wire–protected radio station and sink a large, metal buoy. The text pointedly celebrates the property destruction as an appropriate action.
Scientific facts blend seamlessly with the fantasy of literal animal activists. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4297-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: Nov. 12, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
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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