An endearing package of encouragement and affirmation.
A house-hunting hedgehog learns a valuable lesson.
“One morning, Hedgehog realized he had outgrown his house.” So Hedgehog, a cartoonish creature with purplish spikes, sticklike limbs, and a sweet face with big eyes, a long snout, and expressive eyebrows, seeks a new home. He finds the perfect spot and works hard to build a beautiful house. Unfortunately, soon after, it’s destroyed by a falling branch that comes down with a loud “CRACK!” Hedgehog undergoes a succession of reactions somewhat resembling the Kübler-Ross stages of grief—despairing histrionics, self-pity, superiority, fear, anger, and exhaustion—all accompanied by comedic illustrations that will elicit giggles of recognition; who hasn’t reacted to life’s setbacks with self-defeating behavior? Concluding that “It’s not fair,” Hedgehog goes for a stroll. The pages depicting the walk show Hedgehog at various points along a winding path, his mood obviously a bit improved in each image—an effective visual depiction of how physical activity can recenter a temporarily defeated spirit. Hedgehog finds a place to rebuild in a familiar bed of lavender. His attitude improved, he gets to work, despite a funny surprise. Told in accessible language, this simple tale offers a sound lesson in resilience while never verging on the didactic. Predominantly grayscale illustrations, with pops of color for Hedgehog and the flowers and plants around him, are appealing.
An endearing package of encouragement and affirmation. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Jan. 30, 2024
ISBN: 9781454948537
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Oct. 21, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
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
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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