Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




BEA 2012: Picture Books (page 2)


Cover art for BLACK DOG
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
by Levi Pinfold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold

"A great pick for storytime, bedtime, anytime. (Picture book. 3-7)"
Pinfold's story has a timeless quality despite its entirely original flair, with sumptuous paintings and thumbnail embellishments adding narrative and descriptive content. Read full book review >
Cover art for GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
by Jeff Mack, illustrated by Jeff Mack

"An instructive and entertaining primer on the art of friendship and the complexity of joy. (Picture book. 3-7) "
Working from a text composed solely of the titular phrases (plus one final qualifier) in an ongoing call and response, Mack depicts a day among friends whose dispositions couldn't be more extreme. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE FRIENDLY BEASTS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
illustrated by Anna Vojtech

"As the only large-format edition of this carol currently in print, it will be a useful purchase for use with children at Christmas sing-alongs or church programs as well as at home. (Picture book/religion. 3-7)"
The familiar, old English carol using the voices of the animals approaching the Nativity scene serves as the text in this attractively illustrated, large-format version. 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 THE READER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2012
by Amy Hest, illustrated by Lauren Castillo

"A charming (if rather implausible) celebration of a snowy, book-y, day. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Reading anytime, anywhere is touted in this story about a boy, his dog and a snowy day. Read full book review >