This story about temporary situations makes for a book that is likely to resonate for a long time.
A young Latine girl’s housing uncertainty reveals the strength of her family’s bonds.
Maribel helps pack as her family prepares to move in with Tía Carmen. Maribel’s father has lost his job, and they all hope the situation is temporary—just for a little while, “un ratito,” until they can find a permanent home. Maribel recalls other situations where family members made way for guests such as when Tía Hector stayed with them after he was flooded out of his house. Maribel muses on how sometimes “un ratito” can feel like an eternity, like when she had to stay indoors after breaking her arm last summer. Other times, like when her grandparents visit from Costa Rica, un ratito isn’t nearly enough time. Maribel’s sister, Aurelia, worries that Tía Carmen’s house will feel crowded with so many people, but Maribel reassures her that it will be like a fun sleepover. Though ultimately the experience is sometimes difficult, Maribel loves being with her family and hearing stories of her father and her aunt’s childhood in Mexico. Unitalicized Spanish words and phrases are incorporated; sometimes an English translation is included. The message is solid: Families provide and sacrifice for each other, especially when times are hard. The illustrations use warm tones and affectionate body language and friendly faces to convey the love shared by Maribel’s family. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
This story about temporary situations makes for a book that is likely to resonate for a long time. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 27, 2023
ISBN: 978-0063206632
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: April 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
Menacing and most likely to appeal to established fans of its co-creators.
Existing artwork from an artistic giant inspires a fairy-tale reimagination by a master of the horror genre.
In King’s interpretation of a classic Brothers Grimm story, which accompanies set and costume designs that the late Sendak created for a 1997 production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera, siblings Hansel and Gretel survive abandonment in the woods and an evil witch’s plot to gobble them up before finding their “happily ever after” alongside their father. Prose with the reassuring cadence of an old-timey tale, paired with Sendak’s instantly recognizable artwork, will lull readers before capitalizing on these creators’ knack for injecting darkness into seemingly safe spaces. Gaping faces loom in crevices of rocks and trees, and a gloomy palette of muted greens and ocher amplify the story’s foreboding tone, while King never sugarcoats the peach-skinned children’s peril. Branches with “clutching fingers” hide “the awful enchanted house” of a “child-stealing witch,” all portrayed in an eclectic mix of spot and full-bleed images. Featuring insults that might strike some as harsh (“idiot,” “fool”), the lengthy, dense text may try young readers’ patience, and the often overwhelmingly ominous mood feels more pitched to adults—particularly those familiar with King and Sendak—but an introduction acknowledges grandparents as a likely audience, and nostalgia may prompt leniency over an occasional disconnect between words and art.
Menacing and most likely to appeal to established fans of its co-creators. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9780062644695
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 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
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