Sweetly affirming, though never saccharine.
Rowland and Daggett celebrate life’s possibilities and the power of persistence.
A brown-skinned, bespectacled child with short black hair engages in a variety of activities over the course of this tale. As the book opens, a brown-skinned adult wearing gold earrings holds the little one as a baby (already wearing the specs); the parent appears to be the story’s narrator. Verse in varied meter accompanies bright illustrations in vibrant, saturated pastels that depict the child mountaineering, reading (and, as an adult, teaching others), traveling on a pirate ship, singing, dancing, painting, and participating in a race—not winning but helping a teammate who’s taken a tumble. Throughout, the narrator encourages the youngster to “be the bright, bright star you are” while balancing that message with reminders that support from others is important, especially during challenging times: “See, we all get in a muddle, / and we need a little cuddle, / just remember that you must keep looking up.” The verse is surefooted and the tone is enthusiastic, relentlessly upbeat even when acknowledging difficulties. The cast is diverse: An athlete with a limb difference and a child in a hijab take part in the race, while an interracial couple and an older wheelchair user march in a parade. Endpapers covered in rainbows also set a welcoming, inclusive tone.
Sweetly affirming, though never saccharine. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 20, 2024
ISBN: 9781339038896
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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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