Some joyless adults will object to the “stinky baby” theme, but lots of kids will find the mischievous mayhem a refreshing...
Six-year-old Joy has a less-than-joyful attitude at Christmas due to her boisterous baby brother, Sam.
The text intersperses rhyming couplets with the familiar structure of the often-parodied Christmas song, but instead of a partridge in a pear tree, the repeated conclusion here is “a stinky baby messing with the tree.” Little Sam, who clearly needs more adult supervision, wreaks havoc on Joy’s Christmas decorations and activities, ripping open her wrapped gifts, eating the heads off her gingerbread men and snapping the wings off her beloved treetop angel. Joy huffs off to bed in a snit on Christmas Eve, but Christmas morning brings a happy resolution: All the broken items have been mended (where possible), and Sam says his first word, “Joy.” Computer-generated illustrations have moody, glowing lighting suited to Joy’s mercurial emotions, and creative use of swirling lines and jagged edges indicate the out-of-control nature of the household. Joy looks more like a teenager than a 6-year-old, and Sam is incredibly dexterous for his age, but the illustrations capture the bold baby’s impish transgressions with flair.
Some joyless adults will object to the “stinky baby” theme, but lots of kids will find the mischievous mayhem a refreshing alternative to sticky-sweet holiday stories. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4197-0033-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2011
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
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A predictable series entry, mitigated as usual by the protagonists’ perennially energetic positivity.
A holiday-centered spinoff from the duo behind the inspired The Day the Crayons Quit (2013).
With Green Crayon on vacation, how can the waxy ones pull off a colorful St. Patrick’s Day celebration with Duncan, their (unseen) owner? Through their signature combo of cooperation and unwavering enthusiasm, of course. Blue and Yellow collaborate on a field of shamrocks that blends—however spottily—into green. Nearly invisible White Crayon supplies an otherwise unclothed light-skinned leprechaun with undies, and Orange draws a pair of pants that match the wee creature’s iconic beard and hair. Pink applies colors to a vest, and Purple, a natty jacket and boots. Chunky Toddler Crayon contributes a “perfect” scribbly blue hat; Beige and Brown team up for the leprechaun’s harp. In arguably the best bit, Black exuberantly manifests a decidedly unvariegated rainbow, while Gold’s pot of coins is right on the money, hue-wise. Their ardor undimmed by the holiday’s missing customary color, everyone assembles to party. Though the repartee among the crayons isn’t as developed as in previous outings, the book hews close to Daywalt and Jeffers’ winning formula, and there’s still enough here to keep readers chuckling. And, in a droll “wait for it” moment nicely calibrated for storytime, Green returns from vacation, sunglasses and suitcase in hand: “Did I miss anything while I was gone?” (The cover illustrations do hint at some Green-inflected remediation.)
A predictable series entry, mitigated as usual by the protagonists’ perennially energetic positivity. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2024
ISBN: 9780593624333
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Oct. 21, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2023
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BOOK REVIEW
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