If taken to heart, a beginning reader with lasting impact.
In their fourth sibling adventure, Digger and Daisy are as fresh and curious as when readers first encountered them (Digger and Daisy Go to the Zoo, 2013); at this pace, there’ll be no issues about ever having to grow up.
And, frankly, who wants them to? These two young canines—the older Daisy, in glasses and a skirt that looks like a pink banana; the younger Digger, all roving eyes and nose—are the kind who can squabble and keep it to a sentence in length, not a daylong misery. This outing is to the city, and Daisy cautions Digger (she frequently cautions Digger just before Digger sets in motion whatever she has cautioned him about) to “Stay by me.…You do not want to get lost.” This refrain is a touchstone for beginning readers and, of course, one that Digger will (almost) lose track of. Daisy wants to visit all the clothing stores—Digger offers resistance but complies—but when Digger wants to visit just one store, Daisy decides not. It is Digger’s charm to find a simple but canny way to get his satisfaction and Daisy’s to know when she has been had. Sullivan’s artwork is as affable, diverting and gumball-bright in the city as in the country.
If taken to heart, a beginning reader with lasting impact. (Early reader. 4-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-58536-847-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: Dec. 22, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
Echoes of Runaway Bunny color this exchange between a bath-averse piglet and his patient mother. Using a strategy that would probably be a nonstarter in real life, the mother deflects her stubborn offspring’s string of bath-free occupational conceits with appeals to reason: “Pirates NEVER EVER take baths!” “Pirates don’t get seasick either. But you do.” “Yeesh. I’m an astronaut, okay?” “Well, it is hard to bathe in zero gravity. It’s hard to poop and pee in zero gravity too!” And so on, until Mom’s enticing promise of treasure in the deep sea persuades her little Treasure Hunter to take a dive. Chunky figures surrounded by lots of bright white space in Segal’s minimally detailed watercolors keep the visuals as simple as the plotline. The language isn’t quite as basic, though, and as it rendered entirely in dialogue—Mother Pig’s lines are italicized—adult readers will have to work hard at their vocal characterizations for it to make any sense. Moreover, younger audiences (any audiences, come to that) may wonder what the piggy’s watery closing “EUREKA!!!” is all about too. Not particularly persuasive, but this might coax a few young porkers to get their trotters into the tub. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: March 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-399-25425-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Jan. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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