Though the cover is bedecked in sparkles, Gerry’s sparkle is just as internal as it is external—her essential...
A little girl with a style and sparkle all her own worries about the end of the school year.
As Gerry narrates the last few days of the school year, she points out the attributes of a fairy princess (which she is) and frets about next year (as if missing the wonderful Miss Pym, who lets her wear her wings and crown in class, her classroom and their class pet aren’t enough, her new teacher is a man!). “To be honest, I’m having a hard time finding my sparkle about this. (Change is HARD…even for a fairy princess.)” Siblings reading this to their younger sisters (and perhaps brothers) may be reminded of Junie B. Jones—Gerry’s voice is certainly filled with determination, and she is a girl who knows herself. But she lacks Junie’s attitude and childlike voice, channeling more of a Fancy Nancy; when her dad makes pancakes, she can hardly eat three: “(Even a fairy princess can lose her appetite when she’s stressed).” In the end, a tense moment during the graduation ceremony resolves itself in the best way possible and puts all of Gerry’s fears about first grade to rest. Davenier’s ink-and–colored-pencil illustrations neatly capture Gerry’s feelings, making them stand out against the rest of her class’ more joyful faces.
Though the cover is bedecked in sparkles, Gerry’s sparkle is just as internal as it is external—her essential self-confidence shines. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 8, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-316-21960-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014
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 good choice for offering comfort and support to a budding perfectionist.
Can anyone be perfect?
Beatrice Bottomwell always does everything right. “Most people in town didn’t even know Beatrice’s name. They just called her ‘The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes,’ because for as long as anyone could remember, she never did.” One Thursday though, she almost does something wrong (she drops some eggs while cooking at school but catches them just in time). Straightforward text describes Beatrice’s predicament as, unnerved, she ponders her almost-error and begins to worry. What if she really does do something wrong? Brightly colored watercolors and gentle humor combine to portray Beatrice’s eventful day, her growing fear and her sprightly pet hamster. During a school talent show, Beatrice finally makes a real mistake—in front of everyone. How will she cope? Learning how to relax enough to laugh and simply be herself just might do the trick. While the plot is predictable and the solution to the problem fairly pat, this is a well-intentioned story, full of acceptance and goodwill. It will be especially useful in a therapeutic setting; it may be a real comfort to a child who is afraid of making mistakes, while children dealing with similar issues will also find reassurance here.
A good choice for offering comfort and support to a budding perfectionist. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4022-5544-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2011
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