cover image
LATEST ISSUE OF
Kirkus Reviews
Best-seller Jeannette Walls talks about mining her own history for her new novel, The Silver Star.
Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS



BEA 2012: Picture Books (page 4)

Cover art for BENNY AND PENNY IN LIGHTS OUT
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 28, 2012
Kirkus Star BENNY AND PENNY IN LIGHTS OUT
by Geoffrey Hayes, illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes
"Another outing positively radiant with child appeal, featuring a pair of close siblings with complementary personalities. (Graphic early reader. 5-7)"
It's bedtime for the mouseling brother and sister--but not before plenty of horsing around and a deliciously scary expedition into the backyard. Read full book review >
Cover art for A TRIP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD WITH MOUSE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 25, 2012
A TRIP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD WITH MOUSE
by Frank Viva, illustrated by Frank Viva
"The art gives this southerly outing a distinctive look, and the interplay between the two tourists may strike some readers as comical. (Graphic easy reader. 5-7)"
Strong graphic illustrations give this quick visit to the Antarctic plenty of appeal, though readers may want to strangle one of the visitors. Read full book review >
Cover art for DAN, THE TAXI MAN
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012
DAN, THE TAXI MAN
by Eric Ode, illustrated by Kent Culotta
"Noisy fun, with a strong beat and a narrative pattern that even younger audiences will have no trouble catching. (Picture book. 4-6)"
Dan the cabbie puts pedal to the metal to pick up a rock band and get it to a gig. Read full book review >
Cover art for I HAVE A DREAM
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 9, 2012
Kirkus Star I HAVE A DREAM
illustrated by Kadir Nelson, by Martin Luther King
"A title for remembrance and for re-dedication to the dream, published in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. (Informational picture book. 5 & up)"
An award-winning artist captures the passion and purpose of this most notable 20th-century American speech in beautifully realized oil paintings. Read full book review >
Cover art for OH, NO!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 11, 2012
Kirkus Star OH, NO!
by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann
"Oh, yes! This is a terrific new picture book. (Picture book. 2-6)"
With text that begs to be read aloud and sumptuous illustrations made by a master printmaker, this picture book reads like an instant classic. Read full book review >
Cover art for EACH KINDNESS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 2, 2012
EACH KINDNESS
by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
"Something of the flipside to the team's The Other Side (2001), this is a great book for teaching kindness. (Picture book. 5-8)"
Woodson and Lewis' latest collaboration unfolds with harsh beauty and the ominousness of opportunities lost. Read full book review >
Cover art for MONSTERS AREN'T REAL
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012
MONSTERS AREN'T REAL
by Kerstin Schoene, illustrated by Kerstin Schoene
"A lightweight fear-dispeller, without the gun violence that now makes Mercer Mayer's There's a Nightmare in My Closet (1968) so discomfiting. (Picture book. 4-6)"
Beaten down by a ubiquitous chorus of denials (see title), a monster suffers an existential crisis. Read full book review >