The benefits derived from this friendship are pretty one-sided, as is Percival’s notion of a happy ending.
Henry the magenta raccoon would really like to go on an expensive jaunt to Cake World or Jelly Bean Falls with his bear pal Herman, but their limited funds necessitate a sojourn at Luckywell discount campsite.
The term “roughing it” is not in Henry’s limited lexicon, so when he packs his TV, boom box, hair dryer, and roasted turkey, he feels somewhat prepared for the worst. But falling into a stream in the middle of the night—after his ineptly pitched tent collapses—does not help them to be enamored of the joys of Mother Nature. Lift-the-flap postcards from each of the friends give diametrically opposed perspectives as to the entertainment value of the vacation choice. In response to Henry’s misery, Herman sends for building supplies. The term “compromise” acquires a rather grim cachet when he fells a swath of pristine forest in order to build his spoiled friend a hotel and waterslide. The nifty, interactive postcards and plentiful sight gags, such as a bale of hay labeled “Donkey Fuel,” a rattler perched on the sign pointing to the economy campsite, and a fish draped over Henry’s head, intervene to save the day. Percival’s cartoonlike illustrations keep the story moving past Henry’s litany of complaints.
The benefits derived from this friendship are pretty one-sided, as is Percival’s notion of a happy ending. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 26, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-61963-990-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2016
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it.
What happens when a robot washes up alone on an island?
“Everything was just right on the island.” Brown beautifully re-creates the first days of Roz, the protagonist of his Wild Robot novels, as she adapts to living in the natural world. A storm-tossed ship, seen in the opening just before the title page, and a packing crate are the only other human-made objects to appear in this close-up look at the robot and her new home. Roz emerges from the crate, and her first thought as she sets off up a grassy hill—”This must be where I belong”—is sweetly glorious, a note of recognition rather than conquest. Roz learns to move, hide, and communicate like the creatures she meets. When she discovers an orphaned egg—and the gosling Brightbill, who eventually hatches—her decision to be his mother seems a natural extension of her adaptation. Once he flies south for the winter, her quiet wait across seasons for his return is a poignant portrayal of separation and change. Brown’s clean, precise lines and deep, light-filled colors offer a sense of what Roz might be seeing, suggesting a place that is alive yet deeply serene and radiant. Though the book stands alone, it adds an immensely appealing dimension to Roz’s world. Round thumbnails offer charming peeks into the island world, depicting Roz’s animal neighbors and Brightbill’s maturation.
A hymn to the intrinsic loveliness of the wild and the possibility of sharing it. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN: 9780316669467
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
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
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