Return to sender.
A mysterious box seeks a giver.
After parachuting from the sky, an unaddressed cardboard box wonders, “Who’s going to open me?” Sporting spindly arms and legs, the cheerful box slips into homes and crashes a science camp, surprising—then ditching—assorted children, most of whom seem to be expecting deliveries. Its corny parting puns, such as “Piece out!” to a child anticipating a new puzzle or “That’s not my beat” to a drummer eager to replace broken drumsticks, will likely fly over young readers’ heads. After escaping bickering twins, a dog, and a clamor of kids claiming their tutu, tennis racket, etc., the box leaps into the arms of its dream recipient: a child who’s sure it contains “something wonderful” and who’d “love to give [it] to”…someone, despite its unknown contents. “Who would YOU give this box to?” asks the last line. Despite good intentions, mixed messages and a cleverly boxlike but awkwardly reverse-opening cover make this lesson in generosity difficult to unpack. Their dangerously naïve acceptance of a suddenly appearing, unmarked box aside, it’s fair for kids expecting packages to assume that the box is theirs, and the box’s teasing exits risk contradicting the kindness it hopes to impart. Sadly, Schoenbrun’s spot cartoon illustrations don’t disguise the purposive plot or flat speech-balloon dialogue. Most kids present as kids of color. Three present white; one uses a wheelchair.
Return to sender. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-9848-1546-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
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
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
