A child’s staunch refusal to eat her peas and her mother’s elaborate enticement is the basis for this zany but telling tale. Readers will instantly recognize the scenario: Daisy sits at the table facing down “the little green balls that were ganging up on her plate” while her frazzled mother attempts to get her to eat. A seemingly harmless proposition of ice cream as a reward begins an avalanche of absurdity as Daisy’s desperate mother soon offers all kinds of outrageous treats. “If you eat your peas, you can have 48 dishes of ice cream, stay up past midnight, you never have to wash again, I’ll buy you two new bikes, and a baby elephant.” However, “I don’t like peas,” remains Daisy’s steadfast reply. The predicament is resolved as Daisy slyly negotiates that she will eat her peas if her mom eats her own untouched Brussels sprouts—at which point they agree to eat some ice cream instead. Sharratt’s (The Time It Took Tom, 2000, etc.) colorful, computer-aided illustrations humorously underscore the hilarity of the situation. Each time Daisy’s mom offers a bribe, a picture of the item appears next to the text; consequently, as she offers more and more bribes, her image shrinks accordingly to accommodate the pictures and text. Conversely, the image of Daisy looms larger as she gains more control. Parents and caregivers may inwardly cringe, but preschoolers will love the increasingly exorbitant bribes Daisy’s mom proffers. While this may not convert any readers into avid pea fans, the underlying message that everyone has individual tastes should help to diffuse dinnertime tensions. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-7894-2667-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2000
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
Another creature is on the loose.
The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
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
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