The perfect story for goal-oriented readers (as well as those who need the occasional nudge).
Seemingly impossible tasks can be completed—with a bit of motivation.
The titular Impossible Thing—a dizzying labyrinth of thorns, boulders, rapids, and heights—stands near the edge of the forest and is so named by the woodland creatures because everyone assumes that traversing it is out of the question. This can’t-do attitude prevails until Hugo, a French bulldog, appears and asks the question: “How do we know the Impossible Thing is impossible if no one’s ever tried to get through it?” In his quest for answers, Hugo seeks out the experts: Mr. Bear is strong, Little Fox is clever, Miss Otter is an excellent swimmer, and Old Mr. Goat is a mountain climber. Although their answers express pessimism, Hugo’s determination inspires them to try, and together the animals work to beat the Impossible. The story’s flow is smooth and begs to be read aloud; children and caregivers will enjoy Hugo’s can-do attitude and his unjudgmental reception of the initial skepticism shown by the forest crowd. The lush, soft-edged illustrations will display equally well in a lap or at the front of a room. Hanson dials the cuteness level down a bit from her illustrations in Close Your Eyes (2021) and other collaborations with Lori Haskins Houran, but the animals’ expressive features, especially cheerful Hugo’s, are winning. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.)
The perfect story for goal-oriented readers (as well as those who need the occasional nudge). (Picture book. 6-10)Pub Date: March 30, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-20463-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Flamingo Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 24, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2021
A tale of mutual adoration that hits a sweet note.
Little Honey Bunny Funnybunny loves baseball almost as much as she loves her big brother P.J.—though it’s a close-run thing.
Readers familiar with the pranks P.J. plays on his younger sibling in older episodes of the series (most illustrated by Roger Bollen) will be amused—and perhaps a little confused—to see him in the role of perfect big brother after meeting his swaddled little sister for the first time in mama’s lap. But here, along with being a constant companion and “always happy to see her,” he cements his heroic status in her eyes by hitting a home run for his baseball team and then patiently teaching her how to play T-ball. After carefully coaching her and leading her through warm-up exercises, he even sits in the stands, loudly cheering her on as she scores the winning run in her own very first game. “‘You are the best brother a bunny could ever have!’” she burbles. This tale’s a tad blander compared with others centered on P.J. and his sister, but it’s undeniably cheery, with text well structured for burgeoning readers. The all-smiles animal cast in Bowers’ cartoon art features a large and diversely hued family of bunnies sporting immense floppy ears as well as a multispecies crowd of furry onlookers equally varied of color, with one spectator in a wheelchair.
A tale of mutual adoration that hits a sweet note. (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2026
ISBN: 9798217032464
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.
How to raise money for a coveted poster: put your friends to work!
John, founder of the FUBU fashion line and a Shark Tank venture capitalist, offers a self-referential blueprint for financial success. Having only half of the $10 he needs for a Minka J poster, Daymond forks over $1 to buy a plain T-shirt, paints a picture of the pop star on it, sells it for $5, and uses all of his cash to buy nine more shirts. Then he recruits three friends to decorate them with his design and help sell them for an unspecified amount (from a conveniently free and empty street-fair booth) until they’re gone. The enterprising entrepreneur reimburses himself for the shirts and splits the remaining proceeds, which leaves him with enough for that poster as well as a “brand-new business book,” while his friends express other fiscal strategies: saving their share, spending it all on new art supplies, or donating part and buying a (math) book with the rest. (In a closing summation, the author also suggests investing in stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency.) Though Miles cranks up the visual energy in her sparsely detailed illustrations by incorporating bright colors and lots of greenbacks, the actual advice feels a bit vague. Daymond is Black; most of the cast are people of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists. (Picture book. 7-9)Pub Date: March 21, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-56727-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
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