Entertaining and edifying.
The suspense of (possibly) meeting a lion turns into the pleasure of an introduction to several uniquely South American creatures.
What is a lion doing in South America? A small, disparate group of animals “deep in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil” wind one another up, Chicken Little–style, over the possibility that there is a lion in the forest. Toucan is first, hearing “a deep, growly growl.” Capybara, at first sanguine about the lack of lions in South America, gets into the act, spotting a “terrifying tail.” Coati, confident that “lions live in savannas, and this is a tropical forest,” nevertheless spots something that could be the lion’s mane. Jaguar, however, patiently explains that it would be “highly unusual,” as the family of big cats follows rules. Finally, the newcomer is revealed, and all the creatures are prepared to contradict its claim to be a lion. But the golden lion tamarin monkey (because this is, after all, the Brazilian forest) gets the last word. Silly, light, and lighthearted, this is nevertheless a fine mix of story and fact, an amusing combination of anticipation and information with a cartoonlike, funny cast of characters. Fact-filled, young reader–friendly paragraphs on each of the characters (including the tanager, who appears on nearly every page in a nonspeaking role) in the backmatter expand the story for the inquisitive. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Entertaining and edifying. (Informational picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Feb. 8, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-399-16701-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: April 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
A sweet reminder that it’s easy to weather a storm with the company and kindness of friends.
Is it a stormy-night scare or a bedtime book? Both!
Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are heading home when a storm lets loose. Before long, their familiar, now very nervous barnyard friends (Goat, Hen, Goose, Cow, Duck, and Pig) squeeze into the garage. Blue explains that “clouds bump and tumble in the sky, / but here inside we’re warm and dry, / and all the thirsty plants below / will get a drink to help them grow!” The friends begin to relax. “Duck said, loud as he could quack it, / ‘THUNDER’S JUST A NOISY RACKET!’ ” In the quiet after the storm, the barnyard friends are sleepy, but the garage is not their home. “ ‘Beep!’ said Blue. ‘Just hop inside. / All aboard for the bedtime ride!’ ” Young readers will settle down for their own bedtimes as Blue and Toad drop each friend at home and bid them a good night before returning to the garage and their own beds. “Blue gave one small sleepy ‘Beep.’ / Then Little Blue Truck fell fast asleep.” Joseph’s rich nighttime-blue illustrations (done “in the style of [series co-creator] Jill McElmurry”) highlight the power of the storm and capture the still serenity that follows. Little Blue Truck has been chugging along since 2008, but there seems to be plenty of gas left in the tank.
A sweet reminder that it’s easy to weather a storm with the company and kindness of friends. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 22, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-328-85213-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: June 22, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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