by Rachel Bright ; illustrated by Jim Field ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 26, 2019
An uneven package that may leave readers a bit cold.
A wolf pup gets help from other animals to find his way home.
Rhyming text, which at times falters in its cadence, tells the story of Wilf, a wolf pup separated from his pack during a blizzard. His situation worsens when the ice beneath him cracks and he plunges down into cold, Arctic waters. A narwhal saves him, and thus begins a series of fortunate events in which different animals help Wilf reunite with his pack. First a walrus, then a musk ox, an arctic fox, a goose, a moose, and finally a bear-moth help him along the way. The storytelling itself fits squarely into the well-trod home-away-home plotline, and it doesn’t offer much for readers to sink their teeth into. The detailed, cartoony art would be right at home in contemporary animation for the big screen, adding visual interest in several spreads. Wilf’s big, blue eyes herald his vulnerability on many spreads, but unfortunately, some nighttime scenes will be far too dark for readers’ eyes, and the print is at times difficult to discern on pages where the print is blue on black.
An uneven package that may leave readers a bit cold. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Dec. 26, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-338-59274-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
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New York Times Bestseller
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 5, 2023
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Awards & Accolades
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Our Verdict
GET IT
New York Times Bestseller
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
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by Carin Bramsen & illustrated by Carin Bramsen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 22, 2013
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
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