Purely sweet.
A lyrical celebration of unity and diversity.
Though Erskine’s text doesn’t specify details about the cast of characters, Boiger depicts a multiracial ensemble of children for readers to follow from page to page. The first few pages read: “Me… // can be we. / You… // can come, too. / They… // can be ‘Hey!’ / It’s all of us.” Such lines are representative of the text as a whole, which never evolves into a clear verbal story, instead offering a broad affirmation of diversity, inclusion, and community. Boiger’s illustrations imagine that community as a global one of diverse children (all are first included in the cover art), with visual cues that mark one child as Jewish, another Muslim, and another with a mobility disability. They set sail together on a ship, which can be read as a metaphorical journey through life, peaceably and joyfully taking in the wonders of the world. The text also describes ways they (and we all) can contribute to the world in which we live: “Some build things up, some create art / Some help the earth, some heal the heart.” This isn’t a book that addresses why the earth and hearts need helping and healing, perhaps glossing over hardships and struggle in its efforts to deliver a wholly positive, gentle vision of the world as it might be. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 19.4% of actual size.)
Purely sweet. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 18, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-20469-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2021
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
WOO-HOO! This is the perfect way to foster healthy self-esteem in little ones.
What’s better than a cheerleading chicken?
Are you ever blue, unsure, tired, or overworked? Do you ever feel lost or overwhelmed? This uplifting book, expressed in delightful, jaunty verse, explains how to lift your spirits pronto: What you need is a booster chicken telling you’re doing great even when you’re not so confident, as when you’re learning or practicing a new skill, for instance. Your feathered champion will be right there, encouraging you all the way, with a loud “WOO HOO!” that’ll keep you going and remove any doubt you’re super terrific. But what if your cheerful chick errs and doesn’t do what it set out to do? Don’t worry—your cheery chicken just needs a reminder that everyone makes mistakes. That alone is a pep talk, enhanced by the wisdom that making mistakes allows everyone to learn and demonstrate they did their best. So forgive yourself, chickens! But the best thing is…instead of relying on someone else—like a chicken—to strengthen your ego, say a generous daily “WOO HOO!” to yourself. This riotous book hits all the right notes and does so succinctly and hilariously. The energetic, comical illustrations, in Boynton’s signature style, will elicit giggles and go far to make the book’s important point. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
WOO-HOO! This is the perfect way to foster healthy self-esteem in little ones. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-316-48679-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2023
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