A sweet and funny picture book about the power of doing good deeds.
Although Arnold comes from a family of superheroes, he still hasn’t found his superpower.
Because he isn’t incredibly strong or able to fly or even able to bounce absurdly high, Arnold contributes to the family business by answering the phones. Thanks to his excellent handwriting and good manners, he excels at his job, but he never really thinks of it—or himself—as special until the day he gets a distress call from City Park. Arnold sounds the alarm, but none of his superhero relatives answer. Determined to help the unknown client, Arnold decides to handle the issue himself. His mission gets off to a rocky start when he falls in a puddle when alighting from the public bus that takes him to the park, and then he realizes he doesn’t know whom he’s there to help. However, he soon finds plenty of people to help and problems that he can solve with just a resourceful mind and a good heart. In fact, he is so successful that he ends up on the evening news. This humorous and endearing book appropriately uses comic-book–style illustrations to tell a story that is both accessible and sincere. Arnold’s journey from self-doubt to confidence is inspiring without ever being preachy, and his quick, creative solutions to everyday problems are delightfully surprising. Arnold presents White; both his family and his community are diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9.4-by-18.8-inch double-page spreads viewed at 39% of actual size.)
A sweet and funny picture book about the power of doing good deeds. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5253-0309-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: March 30, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
PERSPECTIVES
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
Relatable bedtime fare.
In this picture book from comedian Gatto, a little one embarks on a nighttime detective caper while also learning some calming techniques.
Tucked into bed, a light-skinned youngster with a mop of brown hair is almost ready to go to sleep, but something’s missing. Eyes wide, mouth agape, the child wonders, “Where’s Bearry?” The snuggly teddy is lost. Armed with a household map and magnifying glass and trailed by a pup sidekick, the tot searches high and low. “He’s not in the playroom / with my robot and blocks. / He’s not in the hamper / with all the stinky socks.” More searching comes up empty, and the increasingly distraught narrator worries, “Maybe he took a trip on the ferry? / Oh no! I’m freaking out! // WHERE’S BEARRY?!?!” Luckily, the youngster remembers to take a deep breath and count down from three. These actions help soothe the intrepid detective, and suddenly, all becomes clear. (Spoiler alert: Bearry is found.) The jaunty, singsong text trips up a bit here and there but propels the mystery forward. Flowers’ colorful art captures the wide range of emotions the youngster experiences: sadness, panic, serenity, and relief.
Relatable bedtime fare. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2024
ISBN: 9780593750193
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2024
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