Comedic pacing and simultaneously scrupulous and silly artwork will leave readers howling
After spotting a scrawny dog in a swirl of city traffic and taking it home, Mini wants to call it her very own, but her mom suggests a dog with shoes must have an owner.
Pencil illustrations crackle with humor even before the title page, showing the mother and daughter right before they almost hit the little doggy in its teensy yellow shoes. The two sit, eyes glazed-over, sedated by traffic boredom, when suddenly hands and arms fly skyward, sunglasses fall askew, mouths gape, brakes slam, and eyes swirl dizzy and disoriented—finally coming to rest on a panting, happy hound. Energetic artwork and evocative facial reactions make the unfolding of a lost-dog story immensely funny. With the yellow of the dog’s shoes serving as the illustrations’ sole color, readers’ eyes end up lingering on linework and quirky background details. Mostly it’s the faces children will enjoy deciphering, though, as people and pups wear wonderfully exaggerated expressions. After the dog almost gets lost again (she’s a runner), Mini knows how her owner must feel and sets about finding that person, pinning posters everywhere in her neighborhood. A happy reunion and a doggy adoption bring smiles.
Comedic pacing and simultaneously scrupulous and silly artwork will leave readers howling . (Picture book. 2-6)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-385-38396-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random
Review Posted Online: June 22, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2015
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.
A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.
Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.
Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 5, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3
Page Count: 16
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
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