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LATEST ISSUE OF
Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus talks to Chris Pavone about The Accident, his latest thriller in which ordinary lives are thrust into spectacular jeopardy.
Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit


Books by Oliver Jeffers

IT WASN'T ME by Oliver Jeffers
Released: Jan. 28, 2014
by Oliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
"Want to SEE a GOOD Book? Read this one. (Picture book. 4-7)"
The Hueys are back, and this time they're testy. Read full book review >
THE BOY WHO SWAM WITH PIRANHAS by David Almond
Released: Aug. 6, 2013
Kirkus Star
by David Almond, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
"A buoyant, delightfully Almond-ine coming-of-age novel about fish, fate and family; moonlight, madness and myth; runts, "Rackanruwin" and, finally, redemption. (Fiction. 8-12)"
In British novelist Almond's latest, the trouble starts when Ernie Potts decides to turn his house on Fish Quay Lane into a loud, stinky fish-canning factory, and his nephew Stan has to quit school to work. Read full book review >
THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT by Drew Daywalt
Released: June 27, 2013
by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
"A comical, fresh look at crayons and color. (Picture book. 3-7)"
Duncan wants to draw, but instead of crayons, he finds a stack of letters listing the crayons' demands in this humorous tale. Read full book review >
THE TERRIBLE THING THAT HAPPENED TO BARNABY BROCKET by John Boyne
Released: Jan. 8, 2013
by John Boyne, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
"A story of self-empowerment told with wry humor and purpose. (Fable. 8-12)"
Barnaby Brocket has been defying the laws of gravity since the day he was born. Now, at the ripe old age of 8, his life continues to be ruled by this fact: If he's not held down by outside forces, he floats. Read full book review >
THIS MOOSE BELONGS TO ME by Oliver Jeffers
Released: Nov. 13, 2012
by Oliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
"Pet lovers and nature lovers alike will enjoy this offbeat and entertaining tale. (Picture book. 4-7)"
Moose are not necessarily the best pets—except when it really matters. Read full book review >
THE NEW SWEATER by Oliver Jeffers
Released: May 3, 2012
by Oliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
"A joyful take on a serious lesson. (Picture book. 3-6)"
The clothes make the Huey in Jeffers' picture-book ode to nonconformity. Read full book review >
STUCK by Oliver Jeffers
FICTION
Released: Nov. 10, 2011
Kirkus Star
by Oliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
"Floyd's stubbornness and the smorgasbord-filled tree remain funny through repeated readings, offering kids the special glee of knowing more than the protagonist. (Picture book. 3-6)"
Everything but the kitchen sink gets tossed up a tree to help Floyd retrieve his kite—oops, there goes the kitchen sink too! Read full book review >
THE HEART AND THE BOTTLE by Oliver Jeffers
Released: June 28, 2011
by Oliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, developed by Bold Creative
"A moving, stimulating, slightly buggy adaptation of Jeffers' luminous children's book. (iPad storybook app. 5-10)"
After an elderly loved one departs, a young girl puts her heart in a bottle to try to weather the grief. Read full book review >
UP AND DOWN by Oliver Jeffers
ADVENTURE
Released: Dec. 1, 2010
Kirkus Star
by Oliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
"Children will intuit, absorb and appreciate this soothing book's heart—the fast, offbeat friendship that makes it so singular and appealing. (Picture book. 2-6)"
Jeffers revisits Lost and Found (2006), his sweet, muted story of friendship between a penguin and a boy, and he finds equal success with the same mild characters, understated humor, washes of watercolor and succinct, soft narration. Read full book review >
THE HEART AND THE BOTTLE by Oliver Jeffers
FICTION
Released: Feb. 1, 2010
Kirkus Star
by Oliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
"Heartbreaking, witty and filled with hope, this will perhaps rings most true with children whose parents have recently suffered a loss. (Picture book. 4-8)"
"Once there was a girl, much like any other," curious and full of wonder; able to explore and discover because the man was there. Read full book review >
THE GREAT PAPER CAPER by Oliver Jeffers
ANIMALS
Released: Jan. 1, 2009
by Oliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
"Sophisticated readers may giggle over the mystery and mock trial, and adults may admire the undeniably hip artwork, but the story's message is a bit convoluted, mixing themes of forgiveness, eco-consciousness and teamwork. (Picture book. 6-9)"
"There was a time in the forest / when everything was not as it should have been." Read full book review >
THE WAY BACK HOME by Oliver Jeffers
FICTION
Released: April 1, 2008
by Oliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
"The space theme as well as the simple watercolor-and-pencil illustrations will please every young, imaginative adventurer. (Picture book. 3-6)"
A boy (who bears a striking resemblance to the boy in Lost and Found, 2005 and How to Catch a Star, 2004) finds an airplane in his closet. Read full book review >
THE INCREDIBLE BOOK EATING BOY by Oliver Jeffers
FICTION
Released: April 1, 2007
by Oliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
"Dish this out to eager readers, with a grain of salt, and watch them snap it up. (Picture book. 6-8)"
In a cautionary tale about the perils of unbridled bibliophagy, once young Henry discovers that the more books he eats the smarter he gets, he proceeds to gorge—and not only racks up humongous library fines, but ends up with both stomach and brains aboil with undigested content. Read full book review >
LOST AND FOUND by Oliver Jeffers
ADVENTURE
Released: Jan. 1, 2006
by Oliver Jeffers, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
"Readers who (inexplicably) find David Lawrence's Pickle and Penguin (2004) just too weird may settle in more comfortably with this—slightly—less offbeat friendship tale. (Picture book. 6-8)"
A lad finds a penguin on his doorstep and resolutely sets out to return it in this briefly told import. Read full book review >