An engaging observance of a Māori holiday.
A kiwi reports exciting news.
Little Kiwi awakens, shouts, “It’s coming!” and hurries to share thrilling news. She rouses her sleepy animal pals, urging them to join her in pursuit. Each friend explains that Little Kiwi’s sense that something momentous is imminent is misguided, but, failing to persuade Kiwi to return to her bed, each gets up and follows her. Their final destination is the beach, where they wait until…they witness the Pleiades, the star cluster that, Little Kiwi explains, means the Māori New Year has arrived. Acknowledging the occasion, each friend indulges in the holiday’s special customs: eating, enjoying family time, singing, and playing. This sweet New Zealand import nicely captures the anticipation preceding the celebration in that country, which occurs “around May or June” according to backmatter. Children will enjoy learning about the festival and comparing it to other New Year celebrations. They’ll also appreciate the “sky is falling” vibe inherent in the animals’ humorous chase. The flightless, nocturnal kiwi is native to New Zealand; her wide-eyed buddies’ names are, like hers, Māori, but readers not in the know will have to do a bit of outside research to discover that. The crisp, stylized illustrations are energetic, and the palette of browns, blue, yellows, grays, and white and black highlight the nighttime escapade. Characters’ names, sound words, and other important words are emphasized in larger fonts.
An engaging observance of a Māori holiday. (star chart) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-76036-094-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Starfish Bay
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2020
It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how many mediocre sequels you can squeeze out of Seussian property.
Since a reformed Grinch is hardly any fun, this follow-up Grinches him up once more.
Those seeking more of the same, prepare to receive precisely that. Christmas is coming (again!), and the Grinch can hardly wait. He’s been patient all year, and now he can finally show the Whos down in Who-ville how much he’s changed. When the Grinch learns of a tree-decorating contest, he figures that if he wins, it’ll prove he truly has the Christmas spirit. He throws himself into the task, but when it comes time to judge the trees, the Grinch is horrified to discover that he’s received only the second-place trophy. Can Cindy-Lou Who find the words to save the day? Replicating many of the original beats and wordplay of the original, this tale feels like less a sequel and more like a vaguely rewritten variation. Meanwhile, Ruiz’s art seeks to bridge the gap between the animated Chuck Jones version of the Grinch and the one depicted in the original book. This thankless task results in a strange uncanny valley between Seuss and Jones but does allow the artist a chance to colorize everything and lend some racial diversity to the Who population (Cindy-Lou is light-skinned). (This book was reviewed digitally.)
It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how many mediocre sequels you can squeeze out of Seussian property. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9780593563168
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 15, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
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
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