A delightfully absurd tale with an affectionate understanding of the truth about cats and dogs.
In this children’s book, a feline teaches the family’s new puppy how to act like a cat.
Milo, a yellow and white tabby, has ruled his household for three years now, and he likes it that way. The feline is not pleased when his human servants bring home Flea, a chocolate Lab puppy. “This will not do,” he concludes. He gets the puppy in trouble, criticizes him for failing to catch birds, and then suggests a self-improvement plan: “We could turn you into a cat.” The puppy does his best to follow instructions that go against his nature. Worried about these behavior changes, the family decides to cheer Flea up by taking him to a dog park, where he has a great time. A new friend explains: “My boy, you’ve been bamboozled by a cat.” Flea embraces his canine traits and gets a great notion—he could teach Milo how to have real fun, like a dog. The feline is not exactly open to this idea, so an ungrudging Flea asks for more cat lessons. On a bird-catching mission, Milo falls into a pond and Flea rescues him. Milo still feels superior but thanks Flea and becomes reconciled to a friendship. In her book, Bensley offers a very amusing scenario that contrasts feline hauteur with canine eagerness to please. Occasionally, off notes intrude, as when poor Flea is hit by one of his human caretakers for misbehavior (not a recommended training method) and allowed to roam the neighborhood. Overall, though, the tale demonstrates much appreciation for animals and helps kids understand the difficulties of integrating a new pet into a household. Harder provides monochrome pencil illustrations that perfectly capture the story’s humor and dynamic energy while conveying animal personalities.
A delightfully absurd tale with an affectionate understanding of the truth about cats and dogs.Pub Date: March 22, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-73342-281-9
Page Count: 51
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Oct. 9, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
PERSPECTIVES
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.
Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.
When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9780316669412
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
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