What begins as a visit to Uncle Dave’s new condominium, turns into an almost-magical adventure at the Castle Apartments. Winifred is the imaginative one, fervently hoping “the castle” comes complete with a moat and a spiky door. Eugene, her brother, would be happy with a mere television. Brenda, lovingly referred to as Bun Bun, has just begun toddling and it is her curiosity that sets the plot in motion. While their parents are busy with the doorman, Bun Bun steps into the elevator with Winifred hurrying after. The doors close. Trapped in the elevator, Bun Bun begins to cry while Winifred tries to comfort her as she’s seen Mommy do. Three times the doors open on the wrong floor and each time they meet with a different character befitting inhabitants of a castle. There’s a monster, a witch, and then a princess. The illustrations let the reader in on the real identity of the apartment occupant. The monster, for example, is an eager spotted dog. At last the hapless two meet the knight, in this case Uncle Dave, who tops off the occasion with a royal surprise. Scrimger and Johnson first combined their talents when they introduced these characters in Bun Bun’s Birthday (not reviewed). Drawn with humor, the artwork supplements the tale by illuminating half the story and adorns each page with willowy ink and watercolor pictures. This is a light but involving read that nicely portrays how a child can affect her environment for it is Winifred’s aplomb and fancy that keeps the situation from turning panicky. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: May 7, 2002
ISBN: 0-88776-543-2
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2002
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
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
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