A fast-paced, linear story for chapter-book vampire enthusiasts; this kicks off a series.
Lee Price is like every other normal 9-year-old boy … except he is a vampire.
Each night he wakes up and goes to St. Orlok’s Elementary School, where he learns vampire essentials such as cloak swishing, scary staring and, most importantly, cooking without garlic. On the night of the big casketball game (which is precisely what it sounds like), Lee’s class is also learning the best lesson yet: how to turn into a bat. During the game, however, players are strictly forbidden to do any kind of transformation. But one player on the opposing team—the Chaney Street Werewolves—keeps pushing and growling his way to the casket, without the ref’s noticing. Lee must figure out how to play fair but still win. The setting may be unusual, but the dilemmas Lee faces are universal and immediately recognizable. Harrison’s loosely sketched spot illustrations capture the narrative’s unexpected humor, giving the young vampires a wide-eyed innocence and a gangly, almost bobble-head appearance.
A fast-paced, linear story for chapter-book vampire enthusiasts; this kicks off a series. (Paranormal. 6-8)Pub Date: July 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8075-8462-0
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Whitman
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2011
Amusing but a little off tempo.
It’s important to hit all the right notes.
A tan-skinned musical composer with puffy black hair is busy at work on his next musical masterpiece when Half Note, a music symbol denoting two beats, feels unappreciated. Half Note is jealous of the more commonly used Quarter Note (one beat) and Eighth Note. Although the other musical symbols attempt to calm and comfort Half Note, she decides to run away. The next day, Composer needs Half Note and panics when he realizes that she’s gone. The other notes and musical symbols try to find her, but it’s only when they try to play her favorite song, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” without her—with terrible results—that she comes running back. The story’s humor—which is largely based on “dad joke” puns—is completely dependent on readers’ musical knowledge. The artwork, a mix of acrylic and colored pencil, attempts to add some allegrezza to the piece, and while it’s not unsuccessful, it’s facing an uphill battle. Music teachers and musically minded caregivers may find some value in this story, but it will likely be too specialized for general readers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Amusing but a little off tempo. (glossary) (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: March 14, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-64567-631-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Page Street
Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A lovely vision for small, sensitive existentialists.
Under the desert night sky, Dad helps his child find cosmic comfort.
The vast universe has made a child feel too small despite their close family. Until, the young narrator tells us, they and their father pack their old pickup, driving through the “rubber and french fries” smell of the city and the “sweet and smoky” mountain scent to camp off-road in a remote arroyo. Together they see tiny beetle prints, jump in sand dunes, name birds, build a fire, watch the sunset, and stretch out in the truck bed. A thoughtful, small human, the child admits to being scared of “how big the universe is and how it goes on and on forever.” But equally thoughtful Dad explains that stars, beetles, birds, and even people are made of energy. Angst is not easily tamed, but snuggling and giving the constellations idiosyncratic names help, as does Mom’s back-at-home surprise: glowing stars covering the narrator’s room. In this bed under the stars, this budding philosopher finally feels “at home here in the universe.” It’s a quiet, contemplative tale that might not strike a chord with all readers but will reassure those who share the protagonist’s worries. Delicate, realistic art plays warm orange and brown hues against blues from pale to indigo, balancing (living) warmth and (interstellar) distance. The child and family are light-skinned and redheaded. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A lovely vision for small, sensitive existentialists. (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-5362-1239-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
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