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OLIVER’S MILK SHAKE

Name: OLIVER’S MILK SHAKE
Author: Vivian French
ISBN: 0-531-30304-7

by Vivian French & illustrated by Alison Bartlett ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2001

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This fine third Oliver title from French and Bartlett (Oliver’s Fruit Salad, 1998, etc.) again takes up the themes of exploration and good times in the world of food. Here, Oliver’s aunt is aghast to find him slurping orange soda for breakfast. He tries to explain, but his aunt cuts him off: “ ‘You don’t like milk!’ . . . ‘What you need is one of my yummy milk shakes.’ ” So Aunt Jen, Cousin Lily, and Oliver shuffle off to a farm to gather the makings of a milkshake and a fun day. They meet roosters, pigs, cows, lambs, and goats; with each meeting they reel out a little bit more of their milkshake description, from “yummy scrummy fruity milk shake” to “yummy scrummy fruity frothy icy nicy tip-top tasty dreamy creamy milk shake.” Then Aunt Jen learns that Oliver actually does like milk—he had just grabbed the orange soda because he had used all the milk on his cereal—but milkshakes have his attention now. Big moon heads, paint-box bright colors, a somewhat child-like smeary gouache medium, and a feather-light story will grab and hold the attention of the youngest readers and surely inspire a trip to a farm. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: May 1, 2001

ISBN: 0-531-30304-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Orchard

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2001

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
FROM HERE TO THERE
by Vivian French ; illustrated by Ya-Ling Huang

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MOST WONDERFUL THING IN THE WORLD
by Vivian French ; illustrated by Angela Barrett

- BOOK REVIEW
THE HEART OF GLASS
by Vivian French & illustrated by Ross Collins

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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HOW TO CATCH A MAMASAURUS

From the How To Catch… series

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024

A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.

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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.