A satisfying tale that sees its protagonist striving once more for a single iconic experience.
Liam’s seasonal demands are modest.
In winter, the young narrator longed for Just One Flake (2023). Now that it’s a perfect summer beach day, Liam hopes for “just one wave.” The shore offers sun, sand, and sea gulls, but—“Oh no”—not the faintest swell. Liam is willing to wait—and WAIT—but some problems can’t be solved, even with patience and perseverance. Scattering a flock of sea gulls doesn’t produce surf, nor does an attempt at sneaking up on the sea and scaring it. Finally, Liam builds a sand castle and taunts the sea: “Come and get it!” But it’s baby sister Sonja who reduces the ramparts to rubble. Now it’s already “Time to go!” Suddenly Liam has an idea. Climbing the castle ruins, the youngster cannonballs into the water, creating a big wave that breaks over Sonja, who, after a moment’s uncertainty, is thrilled. Liam may not have enjoyed any waves today, but the child rejoices at having provided Sonja with her first wave. Upon leaving, calm as the water itself, Liam waves at the sea from the car window, with the hopeful thought “until next summer.” Like the earlier book, this tale features deceptively simple, expressive, flat illustrations with heavy, wavering outlines and touches of soft color. Its plot is positive, unpredictable, and engaging; realistic, relatable dialogue and clear lettering make this a good option for burgeoning readers. Liam and Sonja are tan-skinned.
A satisfying tale that sees its protagonist striving once more for a single iconic experience. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: yesterday
ISBN: 9781419773716
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A sweet notion that falls flat.
A hit song reimagined as a book about parental love.
Featured in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 1, Perri’s “A Thousand Years” deals with the speaker’s fear of romantic love. In picture-book form, it explores a parent’s unwavering love for a child, who grows from an infant into a toddler over the course of the narrative. The caregiver expresses awe when the youngster learns to stand and fear that the child might fall while beginning to walk. “I have spent every day waiting for you,” the parent says. “Darling, don’t be afraid.” What the child might fear isn’t clear from the joyful balloon- and rainbow-filled illustrations. The story borders on cloying, and words that might work when sung and accompanied by music don’t sound fresh on the page: “Time goes by. / You grow ever stronger as you fly.” The refrain, however, is a lovely sentiment: “I have loved you for a thousand years. / I’ll love you for a thousand more.” Perri’s legion of fans may flock to this version, illustrated by Ruiz with sparkling stars, bubbles, and big-eyed toddlers, but it doesn’t hold together as a narrative or an ode, as it’s billed, and it’s a long way from the original song. The child is tan-skinned, the parent is lighter-skinned, and other characters are diverse.
A sweet notion that falls flat. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 9780593622599
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
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