Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




BEA 2012: Picture Books


Cover art for PIG PIG MEETS THE LION
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
by David McPhail, illustrated by David McPhail

"Kids will giggle at the striped-pajama–clad Pig Pig's silly antics in this latest escapade. (Picture book. 2-5)"
MacPhail's penchant for pigs hasn't ebbed, as he proves in adding another Pig Pig tale to his series; this one incorporates a grammar device. Read full book review >
Cover art for MOLLY'S ORGANIC FARM
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 12, 2012

"Pair this with Deborah Hodge and Brian Harris' Up We Grow (2010) for two different visions of modern environmentally conscious farm life. (Informational picture book. 4-7) "
A small orange cat finds a new home on an organic farm, where she explores the farm world, helps with pest control and spends her winter warm and dry at the home of one of the farmers, in this book based on a true story. Read full book review >
Cover art for JO MACDONALD HAD A GARDEN
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
by Mary Quattlebaum, illustrated by Laura J. Bryant

"Get out the seed catalogs. (Picture book. 3-7)"
Quattlebaum and Bryant follow up their successful Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond (2011) with new lyrics to the same song, while keeping the nature focus. Read full book review >
Cover art for OVER IN THE FOREST
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
by Marianne Berkes, illustrated by Jill Dubin

"Formulaic? Perhaps, but none can argue with the educational value, nor the fun--what will she tackle next? (Informational picture book.3-8)"
Having already explored the ocean and jungle, planets, the Arctic and Australia, Berkes this time focuses her "Over in the Meadow"–derived lyrics on a temperate deciduous forest. Read full book review >
Cover art for DANCING WITH THE DINOSAURS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 1, 2012
by Jane Clarke, illustrated by Lee Wildish

"Appealing enough, but adds little to the substantial dinosaur subgenre. (Picture book. 3-5)"
Each dinosaur has his favorite dance and really knows how to shake it! Read full book review >
Cover art for HANNAH'S WAY
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
by Linda Glaser, illustrated by Adam Gustavson

"The moment is a little miracle--nearly impossible to believe, but entirely convincing and true. (Picture book. 5-9)"
Sometimes the tiniest actions are the most heroic. In this book--based on a true story--the heroes are children. Read full book review >
Cover art for CHLOE AND THE LION
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 3, 2012
by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Adam Rex

"Clever and funny, though it's possible that only a niche audience will want repeat readings. (Picture book. 4-8)"
This meta-picture book offers plenty of sly giggles (and knows it). Read full book review >
Cover art for DINOSAUR PET
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2012
by Marc Sedaka, illustrated by Tim Bowers

"Sure to get toddlers and early readers dancing. (Picture book. 3-5)"
Sedaka rewrites "Calendar Girl" for the Stone Age set. Read full book review >
Cover art for ASIAGO
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2012
by Adam McHeffey, illustrated by Adam McHeffey

"Goodhearted, if silly. (Picture book. 3-5)"
How can the little vampire enjoy the beach with his friends? Read full book review >
Cover art for LITTLE BIRD
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2012
by Germano Zullo, illustrated by Albertine, translated by Claudia Zoe Bedrick

"Adult explication may be needed for the textual rubric; the visually told story is enthralling all on its own. (Picture book. 6-8, adult)"
Uplifting in more ways than one, this prizewinning import suggests that little things can change lives--and perhaps even the world. Read full book review >
Cover art for FIVE FUNNY BUNNIES
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2012
by Jean Van Leeuwen, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf

"This fresh and funny look at family life will have both children and adults chuckling. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Three interlinked short stories about a big rabbit family add up to a satisfying whole with humorous plots, witty text and utterly charming illustrations. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE TIPTOE GUIDE TO TRACKING MERMAIDS
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2012

"The glittery cover and promise of mermaids may attract readers initially, but there is little here to lure them for repeated readings. (Picture book. 4-7)"
This second Tiptoe Guide (The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies, 2010) has readers scouring the seashore for mermaids and imagining what their lives must be like. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE BEAR WENT OVER THE MOUNTAIN
CHILDREN'S
Released: April 1, 2012
retold by Iza Trapani, illustrated by Iza Trapani

"A fine addition to the storytime shelf. (Picture book. 1-4)"
Seasons and senses and bears, oh my! Read full book review >
Cover art for MY DAD IS BIG AND STRONG, BUT...
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 8, 2012
by Coralie Saudo, illustrated by Kris Di Giacomo

"With far more genuineness than Seriously, Just Go to Sleep, this is sure to be a hit with preschoolers. (Picture book. 3-6)"
This French import by Saudo impresses with its comic take on the now-popular role-reversal of a child trying to get his parent to bed. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE GIANT SEED
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012
by Arthur Geisert, illustrated by Arthur Geisert

"This is a story of magic, etched with an everydayness that encourages readers to invite wonder, even bewilderment, into their lives. (Picture book. 4-8)"
A welcome addition to Geisert's gratifying series of wordless oddments features a volcano, a giant seed pod and, for sure, a bunch of pigs. Read full book review >
Cover art for COPPERNICKEL GOES MONDRIAN
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 14, 2012
by Wouter van Reek, illustrated by Wouter van Reek

"Surreal but fascinating, visually jazzy but conceptually cryptic, this will work for older readers who like primary colors, geometric art or the philosophical notion of the future. (author's note) (Picture book/art. 7–10)"
A red-hoodie–sporting, upright-standing bird (or possibly weasel) named Coppernickel (Coppernickel: The Invention, 2008) and his diminutive pet dog follow artist Piet Mondrian though a progression of changes in their setting, time period and bodies. Read full book review >
Cover art for DINOSAUR VS. SANTA
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
by Bob Shea, illustrated by Bob Shea

""DINOSAUR WINS!" So will young readers and listeners likewise charged up with dino DNA. (Picture book. 3-5)"
Fresh from roaring out at bedtime (2008), at potty training (2010) and in the library (2011) Shea's prehistoric preschooler takes on Christmas. Read full book review >
Cover art for OH! WHAT A SURPRISE!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
by Suzanne Bloom, illustrated by Suzanne Bloom

"This one has "read it again" potential, and Fox has the makings of a star. (Picture book. 2-6)"
In the fourth entry in the charming Goose and Bear series, the polar bear and gawky white goose are again joined by their irrepressible little friend, a fox with the personality of a bright 2-year-old. Read full book review >
Cover art for LOOK...LOOK AGAIN!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
by John O'Brien, illustrated by John O'Brien

"If the laughs come a tad unevenly, come they do: good, absurdist fun with sly, existential winks. (Picture book. 5-8)"
Renaissance guy O'Brien (who, in addition to penning New Yorker cartoons and illustrating prolifically for children, plays banjo and lifeguards in North Wildwood, N.J.) delivers wacky vignettes riffing on six professional tropes: farmer, chef, woodsman, knight, doorman and clown. Read full book review >
Cover art for HERE COMES DOCTOR HIPPO
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2012
by Jonathan London, illustrated by Gilles Eduar

"Sweet but not filling. (Picture book. 3-5)"
London's newest character, Little Hippo, is big on imagination, even if he is a pint-sized pretend doctor. Read full book review >