Models a less than ideal example of friendship.
Sharing her pet stone threatens Otter’s one friendship.
Otter naps clutching Rock to her chest, dresses Rock in seaweed clothing and accessories, and bathes the stone “until Rock sparkles.” Before sleep she “whispers her dreams to Rock. Things that make her happy, or sad, or somewhere in between.” Conveniently (and authentically, for otters), she has an armpit “pocket” where she can tuck Rock. Rock is stolidly passive: Whatever Otter does, “Rock doesn’t mind.” When Manatee asks to play with Otter and Rock, Otter is uncertain but, offered a seagrass accessory for Rock, Otter “can’t say no to a present.” Quiet play suddenly becomes sea-baseball, and Otter’s vigorous thwack sends Rock over Manatee’s head and into the deep. Otter instantly regrets sharing, and though she was the gift-bribed one who let Manatee play and the one who shot Rock into the air, she unreasonably refuses to talk or listen to her friend. Manatee goes to great lengths searching for Rock and, with others’ help, finds Otter’s beloved pal—at which point Otter just resumes playing with her, and “sometimes, they share Rock with others.” If you don’t expect remorse, reflection, or change on Otter’s part, this is a happy ending. Zuill’s pen-and-color style is similar to but somewhat less quirky than the illustrations in Wolf Camp (2016). The two big-eyed animals are slightly anthropomorphized, but several other sea creatures are not. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Models a less than ideal example of friendship. (facts on manatees and otters) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 9, 2023
ISBN: 9781454944522
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.
The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.
Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)Pub Date: March 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780063329560
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
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