bookshelf

KYLE GOES ALONE

Name: KYLE GOES ALONE
Author: Jan Thornhill
ISBN: 978-1-77147-075-9

by Jan Thornhill ; illustrated by Ashley Barron ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 15, 2015

A startlingly informative alternative to the run-of-the-mill potty book. (Picture book. 3-7)

bookshelf

The call of nature prods a young three-toed sloth to go it alone.

Young Kyle, Thornhill informs readers, does everything at such a glacial pace that he needs to “go” only once a week. When that once-a-week urge rolls around, he is taken aback when his mother announces he can make the long trip from the rain forest canopy to the ground to do his duty all by himself. Kyle isn’t so sure, but he sets out, taking heart along the way from the encouragement of neighbors at various levels: a red-spectacled parrot, a whipsnake, a tiger-legged monkey tree frog, and a leafcutter ant. Sharp-eyed readers will notice Kyle’s mother, hidden behind leaves but keeping watch all the way down, in addition to the various named animals. Barron’s cut-paper collages feature crisp edges and textured, painted surfaces that hint at algae-covered sloth fur. Her palette for the foliage is dominated by light greens and blues, which doesn’t evoke the deep, emerald greens typically associated with the rain forest but does pick up Kyle’s odd, blue eyes. Several double-page spreads are oriented vertically, forcing readers to turn the book 90 degrees and emphasizing the great height from which Kyle descends. Two concluding notes provide further information on the alimentary system of the three-toed sloth and natural camouflage; Thornhill’s sources appear on the final page.

A startlingly informative alternative to the run-of-the-mill potty book. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: Aug. 15, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-77147-075-9

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Owlkids Books

Review Posted Online: June 15, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE TRIUMPHANT TALE OF THE HOUSE SPARROW
by Jan Thornhill ; illustrated by Jan Thornhill

- BOOK REVIEW
I AM JOSEPHINE
by Jan Thornhill ; illustrated by Jacqui Lee

- BOOK REVIEW
THE TRAGIC TALE OF THE GREAT AUK
by Jan Thornhill ; illustrated by Jan Thornhill

bookshelf

WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 4, 2025

An earnest graduation gift: sweet for lifelong fans, cheerfully encouraging for striving, future graduates.

bookshelf

Success comes at last for the bright-eyed Pigeon.

A clever, tongue-in-cheek ersatz colophon reveals that this graduate has been awarded a “Master of Ornery-thology, Bachelor of Arts of Persuasion with a Minor in Major Freak-outs (summa cum loudly).” Fans will be glad that the Pigeon’s tireless, abundant optimism is finally being ceremoniously recognized. On the cover, the Pigeon wears a mortarboard at a jaunty angle, commenting, “I have the hat!” Of course, dressing the part is essential. But also, “I did the work. I paid attention to the little details. I took some BIG steps.” The Pigeon encountered obstacles (not shown, but many memorable ones will come to mind for the Pigeon's followers). And the Pigeon is plagued by worries familiar to many students who are about to graduate: “WHAT WILL HAPPEN THEN?!? What will I do? Who will I be?” The Pigeon appears in every frame, in close-ups and in poses variously thoughtful, confident, or slightly distressed. Our hero’s simple big eyes and wings are, as ever, remarkably expressive. “Oop!” In one scene, while walking off the dais, diploma in wing, the Pigeon comes to what seems like the edge of a chasm. At last, our hero takes flight with other graduates. Willems' popular characters Gerald and Piggie are there to look on admiringly.

An earnest graduation gift: sweet for lifelong fans, cheerfully encouraging for striving, future graduates. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: March 4, 2025

ISBN: 9781454960430

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MONSTER AND PUPPET SHOW!
by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci ; illustrated by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

bookshelf

IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

bookshelf

Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!

Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)