A disappointing and surface-level attempt at fostering inclusivity.
It takes time—and a little creativity—for friendship to unfold.
Anzu, a child of Japanese descent with beige skin and brown pigtails, loves doing origami with her Ojiisan (grandfather). However, Anzu feels out of place at her new school—even when the class starts an origami unit. Her teacher, who presents as Black, shows the students how to create different folds, but one child responds, “I already know how to fold paper!” Despite Anzu’s efforts, her classmates don’t share her passion and instead poke fun at her. Ojiisan encourages frustrated Anzu to be patient and to take things “step-by-step, fold-by-fold.” Anzu connects with one child—tan-skinned Alex—and together they make a kaeru, or frog. Anzu finally begins to understand her grandfather’s advice, and her classmates discover the joy of folding paper into objects that are meaningful to them. Takeyama uses a vibrant, primary palette to underscore Anzu’s emotional journey and depicts a diverse group of students. Hadley’s story, however, is simplistic. The other students never apologize for their initial behavior (indeed, early in the story, one girl even bows at her in what seems to be a mockery of Anzu’s Japanese heritage)—a missed opportunity to model empathy, respect, and understanding. Moreover, the friendships are one-sided, with Anzu doing all the work to try to connect with her classmates. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A disappointing and surface-level attempt at fostering inclusivity. (note about the meaning of origami) (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: April 27, 2023
ISBN: 9780807561355
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Whitman
Review Posted Online: Jan. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
Gently models kindness and respect—positive behavior that can be applied daily.
A group of young “dinosauruses” go out into the world on their own.
A fuchsia little Hugasaurus and her Pappysaur (both of whom resemble Triceratops) have never been apart before, but Hugasaurus happily heads off with lunchbox in hand and “wonder in her heart” to make new friends. The story has a first-day-of-school feeling, but Hugasaurus doesn’t end up in a formal school environment; rather, she finds herself on a playground with other little prehistoric creatures, though no teacher or adult seems to be around. At first, the new friends laugh and play. But Hugasaurus’ pals begin to squabble, and play comes to a halt. As she wonders what to do, a fuzzy platypus playmate asks some wise questions (“What…would your Pappy say to do? / What makes YOU feel better?”), and Hugasaurus decides to give everyone a hug—though she remembers to ask permission first. Slowly, good humor is restored and play begins anew with promises to be slow to anger and, in general, to help create a kinder world. Short rhyming verses occasionally use near rhyme but also include fun pairs like ripples and double-triples. Featuring cozy illustrations of brightly colored creatures, the tale sends a strong message about appropriate and inappropriate ways to resolve conflict, the final pages restating the lesson plainly in a refrain that could become a classroom motto. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Gently models kindness and respect—positive behavior that can be applied daily. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Dec. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-338-82869-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022
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