Competently depicts the effects of pollution and climate change on marine life.
In Mancuso’s illustrated children’s tale, three mermaids demonstrate ocean conservation by saving various sea creatures.
Mermaids Sara, Alix, and Lucy are playing in the waves when they see their friend Tony the Turtle acting strangely in “the place where the ocean waves break.” Concerned, Alix quickly realizes he must be cold-stunned; the mermaids need to get him to warm water pronto. They enlist the help of Beth, a human with connections to the Marine Animal Rescue, and the four transport the sea turtle to safety. This encounter inspires the mermaid trio to form an animal rescue committee, which assists a flamingo with plastic wrapped around its beak, a dolphin caught in a net, and a manatee recently hit by a jet ski. Mancuso effectively conveys how humans’ actions affect aquatic life, and Guidi’s digital art colorfully depicts the animals and their habitats. The mermaids resolve their central concern of rescuing Tony very quickly, which makes for a truncated story arc but allows the tale to showcase the plight of multiple animals. The narration unfolds via informative but uneven couplets: “Dottie the dolphin was entangled and twisted in an old fishing net. Lucy yelled, ‘She can’t move. She must have a 100 pounds of line on her, I bet!’ ” In addition, the storyline illustrates several next steps for tackling environmental issues but is light on resources. Still, this follow-up to The Fin-Tastic Cleanup(2021) may appeal to kids who care about our oceans. Reminiscent of TV shows The Magic School Bus and I Can Save the Ocean! by Allison Inches; a glossary and facts about turtles, flamingos, dolphins, and manatees are included.
Competently depicts the effects of pollution and climate change on marine life. (Picture book for ages 3-5.)Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-63755-257-5
Page Count: 38
Publisher: Mascot Kids
Review Posted Online: Oct. 17, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among
Pete, the cat who couldn’t care less, celebrates Christmas with his inimitable lassitude.
If it weren’t part of the title and repeated on every other page, readers unfamiliar with Pete’s shtick might have a hard time arriving at “groovy” to describe his Christmas celebration, as the expressionless cat displays not a hint of groove in Dean’s now-trademark illustrations. Nor does Pete have a great sense of scansion: “On the first day of Christmas, / Pete gave to me… / A road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” The cat is shown at the wheel of a yellow microbus strung with garland and lights and with a star-topped tree tied to its roof. On the second day of Christmas Pete gives “me” (here depicted as a gray squirrel who gets on the bus) “2 fuzzy gloves, and a road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” On the third day, he gives “me” (now a white cat who joins Pete and the squirrel) “3 yummy cupcakes,” etc. The “me” mentioned in the lyrics changes from day to day and gift to gift, with “4 far-out surfboards” (a frog), “5 onion rings” (crocodile), and “6 skateboards rolling” (a yellow bird that shares its skateboards with the white cat, the squirrel, the frog, and the crocodile while Pete drives on). Gifts and animals pile on until the microbus finally arrives at the seaside and readers are told yet again that it’s all “GROOVY!”
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among . (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-06-267527-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 19, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle...
Making things is difficult work. Readers will recognize the stages of this young heroine’s experience as she struggles to realize her vision.
First comes anticipation. The artist/engineer is spotted jauntily pulling a wagonload of junkyard treasures. Accompanied by her trusty canine companion, she begins drawing plans and building an assemblage. The narration has a breezy tone: “[S]he makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” The colorful caricatures and creations contrast with the digital black outlines on a white background that depict an urban neighborhood. Intermittent blue-gray panels break up the white expanses on selected pages showing sequential actions. When the first piece doesn’t turn out as desired, the protagonist tries again, hoping to achieve magnificence. A model of persistence, she tries many adjustments; the vocabulary alone offers constructive behaviors: she “tinkers,” “wrenches,” “fiddles,” “examines,” “stares” and “tweaks.” Such hard work, however, combines with disappointing results, eventually leading to frustration, anger and injury. Explosive emotions are followed by defeat, portrayed with a small font and scaled-down figures. When the dog, whose expressions have humorously mirrored his owner’s through each phase, retrieves his leash, the resulting stroll serves them well. A fresh perspective brings renewed enthusiasm and—spoiler alert—a most magnificent scooter sidecar for a loyal assistant.
Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-55453-704-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
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BOOK REVIEW
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