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THE WORLD IS A FAMILY

A cozy reminder that we are more similar than we sometimes think.

Two foxes, one grown and the other a pup, bound into the great outdoors together to explore.

A hushed, lulling refrain sets the tone as the sun rises over a seaside town: “The world is a family— / we are all one, / growing together / under the sun.” From this panoramic perspective, the text and artwork then zoom in on a scurry of squirrels scrabbling across treetops. On the ground below, the fox and pup jovially bat at each other’s tails. The refrain is altered slightly to highlight their fun: “The world is a family— / we are all one, / playing together / under the sun.” On each double-page spread, other animals are introduced: otters, bears, and more. Universal experiences of sharing and resting tie the animals together, with a snuggle or two thrown in, of course. Readers see the different creatures all living in harmony. On the closing spreads, with stars twinkling in the night sky, the refrain changes one last time: “The world is a family— / we are all one, / united together / under stars, moon, and sun.” In this sweet British import, the burnt orange foxes are set against open landscapes of saturated blues, greens, and browns. Both the charming artwork and the soothing narrative envelop the reader like a warm, comforting hug. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A cozy reminder that we are more similar than we sometimes think. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: May 3, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-68010-277-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Tiger Tales

Review Posted Online: March 1, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022

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LOVE FROM THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR

Safe to creep on by.

Carle’s famous caterpillar expresses its love.

In three sentences that stretch out over most of the book’s 32 pages, the (here, at least) not-so-ravenous larva first describes the object of its love, then describes how that loved one makes it feel before concluding, “That’s why… / I[heart]U.” There is little original in either visual or textual content, much of it mined from The Very Hungry Caterpillar. “You are… / …so sweet,” proclaims the caterpillar as it crawls through the hole it’s munched in a strawberry; “…the cherry on my cake,” it says as it perches on the familiar square of chocolate cake; “…the apple of my eye,” it announces as it emerges from an apple. Images familiar from other works join the smiling sun that shone down on the caterpillar as it delivers assurances that “you make… / …the sun shine brighter / …the stars sparkle,” and so on. The book is small, only 7 inches high and 5 ¾ inches across when closed—probably not coincidentally about the size of a greeting card. While generations of children have grown up with the ravenous caterpillar, this collection of Carle imagery and platitudinous sentiment has little of his classic’s charm. The melding of Carle’s caterpillar with Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE on the book’s cover, alas, draws further attention to its derivative nature.

Safe to creep on by. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Dec. 15, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-448-48932-2

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2021

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IT'S NOT EASY BEING A GHOST

From the It's Not Easy Being series

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

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